The KEF X300A is a pair of powered speakers loaded with modern features such as wireless capability, 24-bit/96kHz resolution USB input, and more which make them ideal to be part of a desktop sound system. These are premium active stand-mounters with two Class A/B amplifiers powering their iconic Uni-Q drivers and can go really loud, up to 104dB to be exact. However remarkable the KEF X300As are, as a bookshelf speaker, they are still quite limited when it comes to bass performance.
Adding a powered subwoofer into the mix will help improve the overall bass performance of your sound system but the question is which sub should you go for. To find the right subwoofer for the job, we will need to learn more about the KEF X300A speakers and find out exactly what are your main requirements as well. Once all of these are ready, you can then check out the list of the best subwoofers to pair with the KEF X300A powered speakers which will be shared with you later on.
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Sonic Characteristics and Limitations of KEF X300A
The frequency range of the KEF X300A speakers is between 49Hz-45kHz (-6dB) which is impressive for a bookshelf speaker but it also indicates that they need a subwoofer to deliver very deep bass responses. The size of the LF/MF driver (5.25″) and the amplifier power of 50 Watts (driven to LF) won’t be enough to dish out low rumbling bass either. Especially if you are using the KEF X300A speakers to watch movies and/or listening to bass-heavy soundtracks.
More Details at Amazon – KEF X300A Digital Hi-Fi Speaker System
The KEF X300A active speakers excel in delivering a highly detailed music presentation with clarity. The overall sound reproduction is clean and clear, with plenty of insights, revealing subtle nuances that will impress even the analytical audio enthusiasts. The soundstage is open and wide, the X300A has precise stereo imaging as well. There is a lack of punch and impact though, and we do find the KEF X300A speakers a bit polite. The lack of energy and enthusiasm does make the speakers sound a bit dull at times. It will be good for listeners who want a relaxing and laid-back music presentation of their favorite tunes.
Integrating an active subwoofer will help give your sound system more thumps and kicks but the KEF X300A does not have a subwoofer output so that does give us a headache.
Your Subwoofer Main Requirements
You should first work on your budget and see how much you can allocate to investing in a subwoofer. You also need to include the cost of getting an audio component that can connect your subwoofer together with your sound system and KEF X300A speakers. For instance, you can get an AV receiver or preamp with subwoofer output including analog bass management or an affordable Digital Signal Processor such as the miniDSP 2×4. You might want to take this time to see if there are other HiFi components you might need to get.
There are a few things that might affect the size and how powerful of a subwoofer you will require. Such as the size of your listening room, the larger the room the bigger and more powerful the subwoofer you will need. Is there enough space for a sub? If there is limited space, you probably have no choice but to get a small subwoofer. If it is for near-field listening, you might not need a large subwoofer. Do you often watch movies and/or listen to music that is bass-heavy and has a very deep bass response? If you answer yes, then a powerful subwoofer capable of delivering down to 20Hz or below will be suitable for you.
Choosing the type of subwoofers will depend on your usage, for example, if music is your main entertainment then you should go for a sealed subwoofer and if your home cinematic experience is more important to you then you should get a ported subwoofer. There can be a wide variety of requirements and you should take this chance to list them all out. You probably want to check with your spouse for approval too or the people living with you. Once you have gone through the list of requirements and firmly know the kind of subwoofer you require then check out the list of the best subwoofers to pair with your KEF X300A speakers below.
Best Subwoofers to pair with KEF X300A
The SVS PB-1000 Pro will be an amazing entry-level subwoofer to go for and pair with your KEF X300A powered speakers. It is a 12″ high-performance ported subwoofer that uses a Sledge STA-325D amplifier to drive up to 820+ Watts of peak power, not to mention, it can deliver down to 17Hz (+/-3dB) of subterranean bass level. It also has a modest price tag and will be more than enough for near-field listening whether it is watching movies, gaming, or just listening to music. The SVS PB-1000 Pro will be great for small home theater rooms and will be an excellent subwoofer partner for the KEF X300A speakers.
More Info at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro Ported Subwoofer
When it comes to music, you will need a subwoofer that can deliver high-quality bass and has the agility to keep up with the speakers. The Rythmik Audio F12 will be one of the best subwoofers up for the job and will match well with the KEF X300A. It is a 12″ sealed subwoofer designed and made for audiophiles, capable of delivering articulate bass and deliver subterranean low frequencies of down to 14Hz (-2dB). It is fast and has exceptional accuracy, the taut bass delivery of the F12 makes it a subwoofer that excels in music playbacks for all genres. The overall bass performance of the Rythmik Audio F12 will be ideal for movies too.
For listeners who have limited floor space, the SVS PC-2000 Pro will be the one to go for. It is a uniquely designed cylindrical subwoofer that uses the cabinet height to reduce the footprint without compromising the bass output. The PC-2000 Pro is a powerful cylinder sub with a peak power output of 1500+ Watts and can deliver down to 16Hz (+/-3dB) bass frequencies. It is also a versatile subwoofer as well, you can switch it to either “Standard” or “Sealed” mode. The SVS PC-2000 Pro is a brilliant all-rounder and will be a suitable subwoofer partner for your KEF X300A powered speakers.
More Info at Amazon – SVS PC-2000 Pro (Piano Black)
If you need a hybrid subwoofer at a more affordable price without compromising the bass performance then the HSU Research VTF-2 MK5 will be an excellent choice. It is a modestly priced hybrid sub with up to 1400 Watts of short-term power and uses the Variable Tuning Frequency port technology to enable it to reach down to 18Hz (1 port open). You can choose to switch the HSU Research VTF-2 MK5 to ported or sealed mode which makes this subwoofer suitable for both music playbacks and home theater environment. With such flexibility, the VTF-2 MK5 will certainly work well together with the KEF X300A.
If your budget is really tight, perhaps you might want to take a look at the Klipsch R-12SW which is a 12″ subwoofer with 400W of dynamic power. Even though it is really affordable, it is still very well-regarded and is highly praised by its owners who are happy with the performance. Even so, it doesn’t go as deep as the earlier mentioned subwoofers though, the frequency response of the R-12SW is 29Hz-120Hz (+/-3dB). At this price point, it will still be one of the best budget subwoofers to pair up with your KEF X3000A active speakers. The clean robust bass performance of the Klipsch R-12SW will be enjoyable to listen to.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch R-12SW Subwoofer
The Rythmik Audio F18 is one of the best subwoofers to go for especially if the listeners need a subwoofer that is suitable for a large listening room and still has articulate bass performance. The extremely powerful 18″ sealed audiophile subwoofer with 900 Watts RMS power is capable of delivering high-quality bass with agility and speed, thanks to its Direct Servo technology. The F18 can easily fill a large room with immense sonic energy and is still able to keep up with KEF X300A pacing. Rythmik Audio F18 frequency response is 10Hz-250Hz (+/-3db) which is incredibly impressive for a subwoofer that is sanely priced.
To Sum It Up
The subwoofers listed here are some of the finest to match with your KEF X300A and certainly deserve an audition with you. You can go through the list and pick out the subwoofers that best suit your requirements. From there, arrange an audition with the shortlisted subs and see which one you like the most. We will suggest auditioning the subwoofers in your own listening room as your in-room acoustics will provide very accurate results of how a particular subwoofer will sound. In short, you can trust the auditioning results more in your own room.
