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Tech Showcase 2024 — Subwoofers

Bring on the boom with these recent entries to the CI market.

There is no denying when a quality subwoofer has been added to a sound system, adding impactful low-end audio to the space, whether that be indoors or outdoors. Here is a look at some of the more recent subwoofer-only entries to the market.

KEF Kube MIE Series Subwoofer

KEF Kube MIE Series

KEF’s Kube MIE Series subwoofers are available in four driver sizes — 15, 12, 10, and 8 inches. Multiple connectivity options and room EQ settings make installation and set up easier. Each Kube MIE Series model has a long-throw driver that fires from the front, increasing output at lower frequencies. This method produces an impression of direct force within the space, resulting in a tactile, compressed, and potent bass experience. Kube creates an immersive soundscape by accurately reproducing the lowest octaves in music and movies with high SPL and low-frequency extension.

Optimally designed for the driver and the available acoustic volume, the Class D RMS amplifier in the Kube runs efficiently and cool, providing ample power for the subwoofer. It reproduces deep bass and rumble with precision, adding intensity and realism to the audio experience.

The sealed cabinet design of Kube facilitates simpler positioning. With four sizes available, Kube can be customized to fit any space and need, including gaming, home cinema, and music. Kube has a placement-dependent EQ component that is adjustable to maximize in-room performance thanks to KEF’s Music Integrity Engine.

Theory iws12-Bollard Landscape Subwoofer

Theory iws12-Bollard Landscape Subwoofer

Theory is known for deep, visceral bass that bellies intuition, with the existing iws12-6 in-wall subwoofer and iws12-9 architectural subwoofer. Both models extend deeper and with more authority than seems possible from their ultra-compact enclosures. The professional-duty, high-efficiency, 1400-watt (700-watt AES) 12-inch woofer with a 4-inch voice coil extends down to 124 dB. Theory is now taking that same bass outdoors with the iws12-Bollard. Simply install the Theory iws12 woofer into the iws12-Bollard housing and install it in the landscape to create a high-energy environment.

ATC C4 Sub Mk 2 Subwoofer

ATC C4 Sub Mk 2 Subwoofer

ATC’s C4 Sub Mk 2 active subwoofer system deploys the proprietary 12-inch SS75-314SC sub-bass driver, powered by a 300-watt class AB amplifier design, both elements hand-built and installed within a substantial cabinet at the company’s Stroud-based production HQ.

The SS75-314SC sub-bass driver is the first to be purpose-built for an ATC sub-bass system and developed by the R&D team to reproduce the lowest four octaves of the audio band. In order to achieve this, the design exploits ATC’s signature long-gap/short-coil configuration to its natural limits with a long 30mm magnetic gap, surrounded by a 6-inch/150mm N48M Neodymium magnet — the most powerful ever assembled by ATC and a first for the company. In support, the wholly redesigned motor system features a new rubber roll-surround for high excursion capability, a new spider for optimized compliance geometry, and high flow motor venting for low noise and compression.

As well as minimizing distortion, this short-coil long-gap configuration ensures the voice coil remains within the motor structure — even at high drive levels — maximizing cooling, reducing power compression, and improving reliability.  Turbulent air noise within the driver is minimized by a large, flared vent running through the center of the motor structure, which has the added benefit of increasing voice coil and motor cooling.

SoundTube XT850-Sub Outdoor Subwoofer

SoundTube XT850-Sub Outdoor Subwoofer

The SoundTube Entertainment XT850-Sub is an 8-inch outdoor subwoofer that uses non-traditional 70/100-volt technology to improve subwoofer performance. It features SuperT transformerless technology, which delivers impactful full-range bass without the losses in low-end frequency performance due to traditional 70.7/100-volt subwoofer transformer behavior. This means that users can enjoy deep, powerful bass to 30 Hz with peak output of 112 dB even in constant voltage applications without compromising on quality.

The XT850-Sub also features a sealed, in-ground enclosure design that is IP55 rated, offering protection against dust and water. The XT850-Sub includes theft-resistant mounting hardware. For added versatility and flexibility, the XT850-Sub features a weatherproof two-position tap switch for 8-ohm or 70.7/100-volt applications. The XT850-Sub is UV-resistant, scratch-resistant, chlorine-resistant, and weather-resistant. Its professional-grade components ensure long-lasting performance and durability.

Monitor Audio Anthra Series Subwoofer

Monitor Audio Anthra Series Subwoofer

Monitor Audio’s Anthra Subwoofer Series introduced a trio of high-performance powered standalone subwoofers into the Monitor Audio portfolio. Strong and lightweight, the rigid C-CAM cones have a much higher resistance to bending stress and therefore exhibit much greater fidelity over their entire operating range for a cleaner, clearer more precise lifelike sound presentation.

Rigid Surface Technology II (RST II), the first time it has been applied to a Monitor Audio subwoofer cone, significantly increases cone rigidity, allowing the radiating surfaces to resist the mechanical bending forces that can twist the shape of conventional driver cones, which can distort sound.

Behind the RST II C-CAM high-excursion driver lies a formidable amplifier. With Class-D 425, 900 and 1400 watts RMS at continuous levels with peak demand reaching 500, 1700, and 2500 watts, each amplifier ensures that the drivers are working to their optimum performance levels, no matter what the volume.

Paradigm XR Subwoofer

Paradigm XR Subwoofers

The Paradigm XR subwoofers feature a compact, sealed design. The company’s goal with this model was to push the boundaries of performance while never losing sight of aesthetics by wrapping everything up into a suitable size that won’t feel out of place. The faceted design of XR’s cabinet is not only stylish but intentionally functional. The geometric profile distributes the sound of the woofer inside, providing greater strength and rigidity than traditional rectangular designs. The custom 2-inch thick MDF front baffle adds further rigidity to the cabinet and acts as the backbone necessary to withstand the forces of the woofer and magnet within.

The XR’s woofers are the most powerful speaker drivers that Paradigm has ever created. It has an output capability so high that some of the test cabinets were busted open from the forces generated inside. While capable of extreme output, power without control is meaningless. To that end, the XR’s woofer is also a super-low-distortion design. The XR’s Ultra Long Throw Trilinear Suspension is grounded by a dual-spider centering system to ensure the woofer maintains a clean, linear motion while pushing the envelope of its excursion limits. XR uses split-coil construction with oppositely wound turns on each coil, effectively eliminating motor non-linearity. High-temperature wire (adhesives rated to 450 degrees F/232 degrees C) ensure long-term reliability and very high power handling.

PhaseTechPower Lux DSP Subwoofer

PhaseTechPower Lux DSP Subwoofer

The PhaseTech Power Lux DSP subwoofers — the PL-10S and PL-12S compact sealed subs and the PL-10P and PL-12P ported subwoofers — have output as low as 17 Hz. The DSP subs are enriched by an integrated 900-watt peak power amplifier.

Enclosed in either a sealed or ported design, each featuring a 10- or 12-inch long-throw mica-graphite poly cone with NBR Surround, these subs are equipped with a dedicated app (iOS and Android compatible), which is used to control level, phase, EQ, high/low-pass crossovers, signal sensing auto turn on/off, and user-generated presets for audio personalization. The subs come with LFE and stereo inputs/outputs. The inputs and outputs have independent high-pass and low-pass control, making the subs usable as part of a sub/sat system or can be daisy-chained with multiple subs.

The Power Lux subwoofers and Premier Lux speakers set a bold aesthetic tone, pairing contemporary finishes with standard or custom colors. The subs come standard in a classic black finish or can be custom painted in any matte or high-gloss color. Each subwoofer and speaker, individually sold, is handmade in PhaseTech’s Jacksonville, Fla., facility.

K-array Thunder-KSC18P 18-inch Passive Subwoofer

K-array Thunder-KSC18P 18-inch Passive Subwoofer

The K-array Thunder-KSC18P 18-inch passive subwoofer is specifically designed for cinema and dedicated home theater applications to deliver deep and impactful bass reproduction. KSC18P seamlessly integrates with other K-array speakers, ensuring a cohesive and well-balanced audio experience.

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