Subwoofers — Tekton Design 2-10 SUB

Tekton Design sells the 2-10 Sub, a powered subwoofer, at USD 640 each. It places two 10-inch drivers in a sealed cabinet, and Tekton states that their combined moving piston area is larger than that of a single 14-inch woofer. It is built in the USA, and a larger 4-10 Sub with four drivers shares the same footprint.

Key specs that matter

The two 10-inch transducers work in a high-efficiency acoustic suspension enclosure and are driven by a 300 W RMS amplifier, whose class Tekton does not state. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 120 Hz, sensitivity is 96 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and maximum output reaches 117 dB. Tekton recommends a crossover setting of 60 to 80 Hz. The phase control is variable over 360 degrees. The cabinet measures 591 mm high, 330 mm wide and 432 mm deep and weighs about 25 kg. It has high-level inputs for connection to the loudspeaker outputs of an amplifier.

Engineering and use context

In an acoustic suspension enclosure, the air sealed inside the cabinet acts as a spring on the cones, which gives a gradual roll-off below the resonance and avoids port noise. Using two 10-inch drivers instead of one larger cone raises the total radiating area while keeping the cabinet narrow. The variable phase control lets the owner match the timing of the sub to the main speakers around the crossover, continuously rather than with a simple two-position switch. The recommended crossover range suits Tekton towers and monitors whose bass extends at least that far. Colour options, grilles and footers are available, matching the finishes offered on the brand's speakers, and there is no delivery charge within the continental US.

Pairing

The 2-10 Sub is a natural companion for the Pendragon Monitor, whose response ends at 60 Hz, and for smaller towers such as the Lore or Alta in home cinema systems. An AV receiver sub output feeds it with the crossover set within the recommended range. Two units can be used for stereo bass or larger rooms. The maximum output covers rooms of 20 m2 and more.

Alternatives

The Tekton Design 4-10 Sub uses four 10-inch drivers in a line array on the same footprint, reaching up to 120 dB, at USD 860.