Definitive Technology Super Cube Reference Subwoofer Reviewed

Published On: January 2, 2009
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Definitive Technology Super Cube Reference Subwoofer Reviewed

The Super Cube provides "Earth-shattering volumes of deep and tight bass...with a depth and volume not usually heard" in larger and more expensive competitors. Because this model has a lot of inputs and outputs, it can easily fit into almost any situation and set up is fairly easy and straightforward

Definitive Technology Super Cube Reference Subwoofer Reviewed

By Author: Dr. Ken Taraszka

Ken Taraszka M.D. is an anesthesiologist by trade based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Ken is also a professional audiophile and home theater writer specializing in AV preamps and all facets of the audiophile market. In the past, Ken has been a staff writer and editor at AVRev.com. He has also at times been a frequent contributor at AudiophileReview.com.

Definitive_Technology_Super_Cube_Reference_subwoofer_review.gifDefinitive Technology is well know in the audio business as a giant killer. They make full-range speakers that sound phenomenal for less than many snotty audiophile company's smallest monitors - you know the ones without any meaningful bass performance. Anyone with a home theater system knows for real bass you need a subwoofer, and Definitive Technology has an entire line. The Super Cube Reference is one down from the famous Trinity subwoofer they specially made to replace the pipe organ damaged in the Trinity church in NYC by the soot and ash of the 911 attack.

Additional Resources
Learn more about Def Tech here from HomeTheaterReview.com.
Read high end subwoofer reviews from the likes of Bowers & Wilkins, Polk Audio, Klipsch, JL Audio, Wilson Audio, SVS and many others.
• R
ead a review of the Definitive Technology Trinity Subwoofer from Jerry Del Colliano.

The Super Cube Reference uses a 14 inch driver pressure coupled to two 14 inch infrasonic radiators, with the main driver powered by an 1800 Watt class D amplifier. All that size and power allows the Super Cube Reference to reproduce bass down to 11 Hz to foundation shaking levels. Housed in a relatively small 16 inch square by almost 17 inch tall cabinet that is covered on all sides by mesh with the top plate and bottom a high gloss black piano finish. The sub weighs a beastly 111 pounds and can rest atop either adjustable spikes or rubber feet. On the rear panel are line level inputs and outputs as well as an LFE direct, high pass and low pass inputs and outputs as well as continuously variable phase, level, high and low pass filters. The only thing missing are balanced inputs and outputs.

This subwoofer has an interesting design with the main driver firing forward and the passive radiators to the side, the grill mesh is more a tube stretched over the four sides with a draw string on top to keep it always looking taut. The build quality is excellent and the cabinet is rock solid. Fire this baby up and trim it in to your system and you will be treated to deep, accurate bass with seemingly limitless extension in both depth and volume. You can spend a lot more than the $1,899 the Super Cube Reference cost, but it would be hard to beat its performance at twice the price or more.

Read about the high points and the low points of the Super Cube on Page 2.

Definitive_Technology_Super_Cube_Reference_subwoofer_review.gifHigh Points
• Definitive Technology is known for solid bass, and this beauty will show you why in spades.  This is one of the best subwoofers made regardless of price.
• While the Super Cube Reference is moderately sized by today's standards, it puts out Earth-shattering volumes of deep and tight bass making it a great choice for medium to large rooms were you want to hide the subwoofer, or for the small room for the bass madman who wants to blow out the windows and wake the dead.
• The vast array of inputs and outputs allow this subwoofer to easy fit into almost any situation, from being the "point 1" channel in a dedicated home theater, or a single or stereo subwoofers for a two channel system, connected with high or low level signals.

Low Points
• It comes in any color you want as long as it's black. This won't be a problem for most, but for some were the subwoofer needs to match the décor of the room it can pose a Tim Gunn type style problem.
• This sub can go down to 11 Hertz and that frequency has a wavelength that is huge, so these sounds will carry for very long distances, through walls into neighboring condos or apartments and as such can cause serious problems with the neighbors. While not really a low point, it can be a detriment to this subwoofer's owner in certain applications.
• The Super Cube Reference doesn't have any balanced inputs or outputs, so you'll have to use single ended connections.

Conclusion

Definitive Technology has developed a reputation for big, tight bass and the Super Cube Reference subwoofer shows why. This little beast pumps out bass with a depth and volume not usually heard, more often felt, than even larger and more expensive units. This is a great subwoofer and one you must consider when building a home theater or adding bass to your two channel rig. The power and incredibly flexible set up options make sure this subwoofer will fit into any system now and in the future.


Additional Resources
• Learn more about Def Tech here from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Read high end subwoofer reviews from the likes of Bowers & Wilkins, Polk Audio, Klipsch, JL Audio, Wilson Audio, SVS and many others.
• R
ead a review of the Definitive Technology Trinity Subwoofer from Jerry Del Colliano.

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