The Reference Subwoofer for Reference Systems
If you are assembling a reference home theater system with a high definition video projector or monitor along with an audio system that exceeds the sound quality and sheer visceral impact of premiere movie theaters, then this is absolutely the subwoofer for you. The Reference incorporates a 14 inch SuperCube® Technology driver pressure coupled to two 14" Ultra Low Bass Radiators. The total piston area of this complement is an astonishing 460 square inches; equivalent to a 24-inch diameter woofer but with far greater speed, musicality and control than a single large diameter woofer could ever deliver. With that much moving driver area, you can fill any domestic living space with loud, visceral, deep and musical bass.
Watch the Bass Radiator tech video
Music Lovers Rejoice
Subwoofer manufacturers are always talking about how "explosive" their subwoofers are (frankly so do we), but there's more to home entertainment than rocket blasts and explosions—there is music, be it in the movies you watch or the CDs you enjoy. And for music the quality of a subwoofer's performance is way more important than the quantity. The bass should be "tight," precise, and musical. Bass notes should have pitch, not just a dull thud or drone. Definitive Technology was started by and is run by music fanatics and the very first thing we do to evaluate a subwoofer prototype design is to listen to music. If a subwoofer doesn't do an exemplary job with music reproduction, it isn't a Definitive.
Massive Power
The Reference is powered by an 1800-watt class D amplifier. The result is astounding high-definition bass performance extending effortlessly to 11 Hz. Each SuperCube Reference goes lower and has more dynamic impact and output capability than four SuperCube® III subwoofers combined. Slam, pace and rhythm are exemplary as is the ability to actually shake foundations. A complete complement of inputs and controls are included on this surprisingly compact and stylish cube. To top off the extraordinary performance, the Reference is finished in gorgeous piano-gloss black.
High-Definition Subwoofer Drivers Deliver Superior Detail and Lightning-Fast Response
The powerful, high-definition drivers used in all Definitive powered subwoofers were specifically engineered for their task: to deliver rock-solid low distortion bass, reaching down to the lowest subsonic frequencies, with an outstanding quality of superior transient response ("tightness"). The special ultra-stiff cones are joined to specially formulated surrounds and long-throw voice coils and spiders. The incredibly rigid baskets are engineered to hold the massive magnet structures and large voice coils in absolute alignment. The high temperature voice coils are made of aluminum wound with triple insulated ultra-pure copper wire and baked in epoxy for power handling in excess of 750 watts.
Rock Solid Cabinets Ensure Pure Low Distortion Response
The cabinet of a loudspeaker plays a large part in its sonic performance. Resonance and vibration can add unwanted distortion as well as drain away important energy from the system. Definitive's subwoofers utilize monocoque cabinets, which have been specifically engineered to be totally inert and vibration free, to ensure you of absolutely pure sonic reproduction. Monocoque means that the cabinet is of a unitized construction where all panels are permanently joined together into one solid structure. The cabinet walls themselves are high-density medite fused together by space-age polymer adhesives. The front and rear panels are nearly 2-inches thick and the cabinets each incorporate multiple internal braces to ensure total solidity.
Adjustable Electronic Crossovers Assure a Perfect Match to Your System and Room
In a world class audio system you should not be able to perceive that the subwoofer and main speakers are separate entities—they should "blend" together perfectly to present a seamless sonic image of musical instruments and sound effects hovering in space in front of or around you. Getting such seamless blending is the "holy grail" of audiophiles and is rarely achieved in most systems. The key to success is "tweaking" the subwoofer's controls and it is here that the SuperCube Reference shines. The sophisticated low distortion electronic crossover incorporated in the Reference is a masterpiece of design and execution. It contains a complete range of hookups, circuitry and features which allow it to be connected to and perfectly blended with any system and room.
A continuously adjustable low pass filter control allows you to choose a high frequency roll-off of from 40 to 150 Hz. It also features a rarely found high pass filter control that allows you to roll off the bass of your main speakers when the main speakers are connected through the subwoofer. Along with a continuously variable phase alignment control and a precision level control you have all the necessary tools at your disposal to achieve absolutely seamless blending between main speakers and subwoofer.
A Full Range of Inputs and Outputs Facilitates Easy Hookup to Any System
The SuperCube Reference has a complete range of inputs, outputs and features to allow easy and effective hookup to any system either singly or in a stereo pair. Both speaker level and low-level inputs are provided as well as a separate direct-in LFE low-level input (which bypasses the crossover network) which may be used by itself or in combination with left and right channel high- or low-level inputs for the ultimate in subwoofer flexibility and performance.
Power | |
|---|---|
| Internal Amplifier | |
| Channels | 1 |
| Power | 1800 watts |
| Type | Class D |
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Subwoofer | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 14" (35.56cm) |
| Type | High Excursion Active Subwoofer Driver |
| Bass Radiator | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 14" (35.56cm) |
| Type | Planar Low Bass Radiator |
Control | |
|---|---|
| Crossover | |
| Low Pass Filter | 40 - 150 Hz, Continuously Variable |
| Low Pass Filter Slope | 24 dB per Octave |
| High Pass Filter | 40 - 150 Hz, Continuously Variable (Line Level Outputs Only) |
| High Pass Filter Slope | 12 dB per Octave |
| Static High Pass Filter | 80 Hz (Speaker Level Outputs Only) |
| Static High Pass Filter Slope | 6 dB per Octave |
| Phase Control | |
| Phase Settings | 0 - 180 degrees, Continuously Variable |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Audio Inputs | |
| LFE input | 1 (RCA) |
| Speaker Level | 2 Pair (Speaker Cable) |
| Stereo Line Level | 2 (RCA) |
| Audio Outputs | |
| Speaker Level | 2 Pair (Speaker Cable) |
| Stereo Line Level | 2 (RCA) |
| Total Frequency Response | |
| Overall | 11 Hz - 200 Hz |
Amplifier | |
|---|---|
| Protection Circuitry | |
| Primary | Thermal Overload Sensor |
| Power Cycle | |
| US | Auto On/Off: Signal Sensitive |
| International | Switched or Auto On/Off: Signal Sensitive |
| Power Requirements | |
| US | 110 volts A/C |
| International | 220 volts A/C |
| Fuse | |
| US | 8 amp 250 volt Slo Blo |
| International | 4 amp 250 volt Slo Blo |
Installation | |
|---|---|
| Product Weight | |
| Out of Box | 105 lbs |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 16 15/16" (43.02cm) |
| Width | 16 3/4" (42.55cm) |
| Depth | 16 3/4" (42.55cm) |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Accessories | |
| Included Accessories | Rubber Feet (4); Spikes (4) |
| Carton Size | |
| Height | 26 1/2" (67.31cm) |
| Width | 20" (50.80cm) |
| Depth | 20" (50.80cm) |
| Shipping Weight | |
| One per Carton | 111 lbs |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Electronic Components | |
| Parts and Labor | 3 |
| Drivers and Cabinet | |
| Parts and Labor | 5 |
7 reviews with an average of 5
"nuanced musicality..."
I love the subwoofer for its nuanced musicality in softer music passages as well as having the power to pack a whallop for intense movie action scenes. It does everything very well. I am very pleased with this subwoofer.
"Amazing..."
WOW.
I recently replaced my old sub with the Supercube Reference. This sub is amazing, I use my system for mostly movie watching . It totally fills the room with bass. The amount of deep bass this thing puts out is amazing. This is without a doubt the best sub I have ever owned. Great job Definitive.
"So good, I bought two"
So good, I bought two.........my neighbor is a pita so these even things up some. They loosen fillings when they are cranked up.
Seriously they are tight, clean and get after it equally for music and movies. I bought one and loved it, it was so impressive I figured two would really make my neighbor cry. Worked to perfection, btw he is a half acre away!
All def tech system I also have 15" in my towers but had to turn them off.
"unquestionably the best sub"
All I can say is: WOW. This is unquestionably the best sub I have ever bought. It's hard to believe the force of the bass it produces from such a small enclosure. I have looked inside the sub and the magnet on that 14" driver is massive, probably 12" across (that's where most of the 97 lbs. of this sub comes from). The bass is very precise, tight, and an absolute pleasure to listen to. To get it just the way I like it I manually adjusted the EQ for the sub channel and took off a couple of dB at 63 Hz to reduce the boom and and retain those deep waves that make the couch shake. I have my Supercube Reference working in tandem with a Velodyne FSR-15 Servo and, oh, what a team they make. I've been tweaking and changing my home theater system for a year trying to get the sound I want; after adding the Supercube Reference, I can finally relax and enjoy for a while.
"Totally satisfied, and thrilled"
After totally loving my Supercube II for more than 7 years, I decided it was time to "up the ante". I had been lusting after the Supercube Reference ever since the reviews started rolling in, but my spare money always found somewhere else to go... until recently.
Now I'm kicking myself for not upgrading sooner. While the SCII was wonderful and shook the room with gusto, the SC Reference shakes the whole house with authority and reveals the deep levels I didn't know were there (not to mention the kick in the butt you get from sub-20Hz frequencies).
Totally satisfied, and thrilled to say the least. You can't go wrong with this sub.
Thanks Definitive,
Chris
"bass of epic proportions"
Just got it today to replace a Paradigm PS 1000. Noted after watching the most recent Harry Potter movie that the PS 1000 was not keeping up with the impressive soundtrack. The improvement is dramatic with smooth, undistorted, extended bass of epic proportions, can't wait to watch more movies. Hard to believe that more money could buy more performance!
"the Ferrari of subwoofers"
I wanted to upgrade from my old Def Tech PF15TL plus subwoofer. I was looking for a little more thump and tighter bass to keep up with music. After auditioning several other well regarded models I was surprised to find out that my ten year old Def Tech sub sounded better than everything I was auditioning. I tracked down a dealer who had a supercube 2 sub set up in their theatre. Wow was I ever impressed, This little sub sounded great. I called the Def Tech support line and received some excellent advice on the right product to purchase. I then ordered the Def Tech supercube Reference hoping it would provide the extra thump and tightness I was looking for. It only took about 30 seconds of listening to this sub to realize that this sub is truly the Ferrari of subwoofers. Tight, Clean, Powerful, Distortion free bass. If your looking for the ultimate subwoofer, look no further. The supercube Reference completely smashes its competition and looks great doing it with it's classy piano gloss finish.
Worth every penny and more, a MUST AUDITION !!