At last: A high-end wireless subwoofer

KEF's HTB2SE-W wireless subwoofer can be vertically or horizontally oriented.

(Credit: KEF)

KEF's HTB2SE-W wireless subwoofer is first and foremost, a great subwoofer. The fact that it's a wireless design is icing on the cake.

The HTB2SE-W is a marriage of two existing KEF products--the HTB2 subwoofer and the Universal Wireless Kit--and I have reviewed both of them for CNET.

The subwoofer is a round design, a mere 7.7 inches thick, and yet it still manages to go deep into the bass. When it's vertically oriented, it stands 15.4 inches tall, or if you prefer, it can be horizontally oriented.

The subwoofer sports front- and rear-mounted 10-inch woofers. However, only the front woofer is powered by the 250-watt onboard digital amplifier; the rear woofer produces bass passively, motivated by the internal air pressure created by the movement of the front woofer. I think it's one of the coolest-looking subwoofers around.

Thanks to HTB2SE-W's wireless design it can be placed anywhere in the room, but it does have to be plugged into an AC power outlet. Yes, the wireless sub has wires, but you don't have to run a cable back to your receiver or surround processor.

The KEF HTB2SE-W has a suggested retail price of $1,200. It will be shipping next month.

[skalathi]

The HSU Research ULS-15 is a high end wireless subwoofer that has been around for the past year. It also has better specs (larger woofer; significantly more powerful amp) than what's listed here.

[pubmat]

You took the words out of my, er, mouth skalathi. Its was the first thing that came to mind when I read this. I wonder what the specs are on this sub--although its so slim, and not all that large. I can't see how it moves enough air to go really low with the output of the HSU ULS-15.

[TheAudiophiliac]

Right, I'm a big HSU fan, but a 15-inch sub won't work with small speakers as well as the KEF. I haven't heard the 15-inch HSU, so I can't say for sure, but it will probably need to be partnered with full-size towers, crossed over at 50 Hertz or lower. I've heard the KEF with small speakers many times, crossed over at 120 Hz. It's a great sub for small speakers.

[koketso_m]

i would love to sample this sub, if at all possible. should be an absolute treat. although, i'm not too sure about the wireless sub with wires but ja, its about damn time!