Subwoofers — Tekton Design 4-10 SUB

The 4-10 SUB is a powered subwoofer from Tekton Design, the Utah loudspeaker maker founded by Eric Alexander. Rather than one large woofer in a cube, it stacks four 10-inch drivers in a vertical line array inside a tall, narrow cabinet, so it looks more like a slim loudspeaker than a conventional subwoofer. In Tekton's range it sits between the two-driver 2-10 SUB and the six-driver 6-10 SUB and is manufactured in the USA.

Key specs that matter

The 4-10 SUB uses four 10-inch woofers in a sealed acoustic-suspension enclosure driven by a 300W RMS amplifier. Frequency response is 20Hz to 120Hz, sensitivity is 100dB at 2.83V/1m and maximum output reaches up to 120dB. Phase is continuously variable through 360 degrees. The cabinet has a floor footprint of only 13 x 17 inches (about 33 x 43cm), stands 115.6cm tall and weighs 43.09kg.

Engineering and use context

Four 10-inch cones together provide a moving surface area larger than a single 18-inch woofer. Eric Alexander compares the approach to a car engine - for the same displacement of air, spreading the work over more pistons shortens the stroke each one needs, so every driver moves less at a given level and stays within its most linear range. The line-array layout also spreads the bass source vertically instead of concentrating it at floor level. A sealed enclosure gives a controlled low-frequency roll-off without port noise, and the high sensitivity is unusual for a sealed subwoofer, the result of the large combined cone area. Because the cabinet is tall and narrow, its footprint is similar to that of a floorstanding speaker, allowing it to stand next to the main speakers where it blends visually with them. The continuously variable phase control lets the subwoofer's timing be aligned with the main speakers wherever it is placed.

Pairing

Tekton recommends setting the final crossover between 60Hz and 80Hz, so the 4-10 SUB takes over the lowest octaves from the main speakers. Its size and appearance make it a natural partner for Tekton's tall floorstanders such as the Double Impact, and many owners use a pair, one beside each main speaker, to reproduce stereo bass. The built-in amplifier connects to any preamplifier, integrated amplifier with pre-outs or AV receiver with a subwoofer output.

Alternatives

Tekton Design's own 6-10 SUB uses six 10-inch drivers in a larger cabinet for more output and room coverage.