KEF Kube 15 MIE vs SVS SB3000

[delta76]

While I am looking for deals of speakers, deals on Sub show up and I am now wondering if I should upgrade my KEF Kub 12 MIE.

Both are on sale where I live and both cheapest ever. SVS one is about $300 more expensive, but it is also reviewed and liked by many. Features seem to be more comprehensive also
I live in an apartment so sub monster is not viable. But I was quite disappointed with Kub 12 as sub has been lacking. Some punchy bas would be appreciated. Usages is home theatre (movies, games) and casual music listening. Speakers are not decided.

Thanks

 

[Avp1]

Look if you can get Rythmik. Their 15" sealed subs are very good. Unlike SVS or Kef they use mechanical feedback in drivers, which makes them much more linear.

 

[delta76]

Look if you can get Rythmik. Their 15" sealed subs are very good. Unlike SVS or Kef they use mechanical feedback in drivers, which makes them much more linear.

Unfortunately not available to me in Europe. The two options are the best - price wise - I can get

 

[MarkS]

Sub + speakers + room is a single system that needs to be optimized. It seems that you have not taken any measurements or used any form of room correction. These are the places to start. Just changing subs is very unlikely to solve your problem of a perceived lack of "punchy bass".

 

[Blueprint]

How big is your room?

 

[delta76]

How big is your room?

Around 25m2 but it is connected to hall and kitchen so very spacious and weird shape. I think svs sb3000 is a better sub than kef 12 and more compact than kef 15. Also best price ever where i live. Difficult choices

 

[Blueprint]

Yeah that’s a big room to be filling with a 12 inch KEF sub. I’m not surprised you need something bigger.

Here’s a link to a useful table a poster put together on British site avforums. Should give you a better idea of what you need for your room.

How much subwoofer output capability do you need in your system?

Dear AVF members The table below lists CEA-2010 output rated subwoofers in order of their estimated ability to support user listening levels (relative to reference) in rooms of varying sizes. For some it may be self-explanatory but if you would like to know how to use the table and how and why...

www.avforums.com

Of the two options you mentioned, I would back the SVS to give you more output and extension.

 

[delta76]

Could 1961 1s (equivalent price to Kube 15) or 1v (equivalent to 3000) be a better choice? :-?

 

[RedCannon]

I have the 1961s with a small living room but also open to a kitchen. When I walk from the living room to the kitchen I can feel the bass change. Its very dramatic and even my girlfriend can notice it(and she can usually never tell a difference with audio). Maybe getting a second sub if you can fit it would help balance out the response and give you that punch you are looking for.

Second subwoofer could also help with keeping the response in your living room, and not be too loud for your neighbors if set up properly.

If you cant fit another subwoofer try moving your subwoofer around until you get the bass you'd like.

 

[kyuu]

Are you using any kind of EQ or room correction? That's more likely to address shortcomings in the bass region than simply using a bigger subwoofer.

But all else being equal, get the bigger one if your budget and space allows it.

 

[tineared]

I've never heard any KEF sub, but I have two SVS SB3000s and they move a lot of air for their size.
I chose them for their compactness/power ratio and I think they're also very nice looking.
The phone app is really well done and gives you complete control on the fly.

 

[delta76]

Decided to go with SVS SB3000 as a local retailer matched a price of a neighbor country retailer. Quite impressed how small and lightweight it is, have yet to fully tested it (my center and surround speakers are missing/waiting for delivery so I haven't even run Audyssey), but seems to have plenty of bass when tested with Top Gun: Maverick

 

[Romario]

Decided to go with SVS SB3000 as a local retailer matched a price of a neighbor country retailer. Quite impressed how small and lightweight it is, have yet to fully tested it (my center and surround speakers are missing/waiting for delivery so I haven't even run Audyssey), but seems to have plenty of bass when tested with Top Gun: Maverick

In the end, did you receive your goal with the new sub?
Online I can get the Kef 15 for €820,- but if SVS is the better subwoofer builder I should rethink my options.

 

[Matias]

SB3000 is awesome and the SVS app with PEQ is wonderful. Cannot go wrong, best in class really.

 

[delta76]

In the end, did you receive your goal with the new sub?
Online I can get the Kef 15 for €820,- but if SVS is the better subwoofer builder I should rethink my options.

I did not compare directly to my Kube 12B but SB3000 definitely has more bass. even a bit more than I would like (afraid of bothering my downstairs neighbors), so I turned it down a little bit. But music, games and movies feel more impactful now, something I did not notice with my Kube 12B.
I do feel SVS is a safer option than KEF when it comes to sub.