In this review, we will be comparing NS-SW050 and Cub3, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Yamaha and Focal. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Yamaha NS-SW050 and Focal Cub3 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Yamaha NS-SW050and Focal Cub3 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
NS-SW050 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas Cub3 has a frequency range of 40-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the NS-SW050 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Cub3's min frequency of 40Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Yamaha NS-SW050 and Focal Cub3 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Yamaha NS-SW050's and Focal Cub3's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-SW050 has external dimensions of 292.1 x 292.1 x 339.7mm (11.5 x 11.5 x 13.375inch) whereas Focal Cub3 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 302.0 x 355.0mm (13-1/16inch x 11-7/8inch x 13-15/16inch).
Focal Cub3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 9.9mm wider, 39.9mm taller and 15.3mm deeper than Yamaha NS-SW050.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Yamaha NS-SW050 is approximately 992.3cm2 / 153.8inch2 and base area of the Focal Cub3 is approximately 1072.1cm2 / 166.2inch2. The NS-SW050 requires 7% less surface area than the Cub3 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Yamaha NS-SW050 weighs 8.48kg / 18.7lbs and the Focal Cub3 weighs 10.09kg / 22.2lbs. This makes the Cub3 19% heavier than the NS-SW050.
Here is a comparison of how NS-SW050 and Cub3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
292mm
vs
332mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
992cm2
vs
1072cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
220USD
vs
261USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Focal Cub3 needs about 8% more floor area. Focal Cub3 stands 15mm further into the room. Focal Cub3 is 40mm taller.
| General |
Yamaha NS-SW050 |
Focal Cub3 |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
40-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Polyflex |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
292.1mm (11.5") |
332.0mm (13.1") |
| Width |
292.1mm (11.5") |
302.0mm (11.9") |
| Depth |
339.7mm (13.4") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
8.48kg (18.7lbs) |
10.09kg (22.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Yamaha NS-SW050 goes deeper - 28Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Focal Cub3 has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 50W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | Yamaha NS-SW050 fires front and Focal Cub3 fires down. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Yamaha NS-SW050 is about 19% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | Yamaha NS-SW050 costs less - $220 against $261, about 16% less. |
A Yamaha NS-SW050 B Focal Cub3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.