ELAC SUB1010 Review – 10″ Budget Subwoofer

Are you looking to invest in a new sound system? Want something that will enhance the sound quality of your home theater? If so, it’s time to check out the ELAC SUB1010 – 120 watt, 10-inch powered subwoofer. Read more of our ELAC SUB1010 review below to find out all the details and take your sound system to the next level.

Key Specifications

Dimensions 12.19 x 13.19 x 13.56 inches
Weight21.8 pounds
TypePowered Subwoofer – Class AB Amplifier
Power120 Watts peak / 60 Watts RMS
Frequency Response38Hz – 200Hz
Woofer:10″ Textured Polypropylene woofer
Connectivity OptionsL/R/LFE RCA and Speaker Level
Warranty3 Years (Cabinet and Driver) + 1 Year (Amplifier)
Onboard ControlsCrossover dial (40Hz – 200Hz), Volume dial,
Standby switch, and Phase switch
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ELAC SUB1010 Product Highlights

Great Value For Sound Quality

The ELAC SUB1010 offers rich, powerful bass—fundamental for music lovers who want to really live in those lows. Good bass can be hard to find. Deep, authoritative bass notes from this powered subwoofer will also enhance your movie-watching experience. A home theater system without low-end frequencies can’t be complete. Powered subwoofers can with quality bass often carry an equally heavy price tag. But not the ELAC SUB1010. It’s got great value for the sound quality. Powered subwoofers also don’t require amplifiers. They can connect directly to your AV receiver via a sub pre-out.

Compact and Well Constructed

This powered subwoofer has a compact design and is well-constructed. The 10-inch subwoofer comes in a sleek and beautiful black-ash cabinet. Its elegance is also durable and sturdy and constructed from MDF material. The bass reflex enclosure balances the air pressure inside and outside the box, improving low frequencies, even at high volume. And that box measures 12.19 x 13.19 x 13.56 inches and weighs in at just 21.8 pounds. That means this subwoofer can fit in any space, even alongside your bookshelf speakers. The rubber feet keep it in place and also absorb vibrations that could otherwise result in distortion. Space can be hard to come by in full home theater systems. Only so much space is available after tower speakers, a center channel, and rear surrounds. This powered subwoofer make the perfect complement to your main speakers and doesn’t take up much space.

120 Watts of Power + Standby Mode

For a tight package, the ELAC SUB1010 has plenty of power and provides omnidirectional sound. This powered subwoofer houses a powerful Class AB amplifier. As you may know, that means it blends the best of both worlds: more efficiency than a simple Class A, and less distortion than a typical class B. Beyond the basics, this sub has a crossover frequency (40Hz – 200 Hz) dial on its back panel. It has a frequency response of 38Hz – 200Hz, producing crisp bass sound quality without distracting distortion. For this ELAC SUB1010 review, the subwoofer operated best at moderate volumes, though it does reach 120 watts at peak performance. Higher power may be warranted for large rooms. Worried about your electric bill? Not with the ELAC SUB1010: with just 0.5 watts on standby power, you can crank the bass without breaking the bank.

LFE & Onboard Controls

The ELAC SUB1010 has regular, line-level right and left inputs, as well as a dedicated LFE that bypasses the powered subwoofer’s internal crossover, allowing you to manage bass at the receiver end. This is just one of the flexible features that help audiophiles enhance and adjust the sound quality with the ELAC SUB1010. The onboard controls also include a low pass filter, phase switch, and level controls that allow you to revamp the subwoofer’s volume to blend with the other parts of your home theater system. For example, it’s easy to connect this powered subwoofer to an AV receiver using RCA cables. Additionally, the ELAC SUB1010 has a handy LED indicator light that shows whether it is off, powered on, or in standby mode, making it easy to check the status of your speakers even in the dark.

Great Design & Average Frequency Response

To be fair, the ELAC SUB1010 is not without its issues. Its frequency range at the low end is limited to 38Hz. That’s not ideal for those who want to capture the 20Hz – 30Hz range that is often utilized for movies. We also love the SUB1010’s design. Not only is it tough, but we’re fans of the elegant black-ash vinyl box. Its 10-inch textured polypropylene woofer feels sturdy and the subwoofer looks nice with or without the grill cover.

ELAC SUB1010 Pros And Cons

Pros

  • Compact, sturdy, elegant design
  • Hybrid class AB amplifier
  • Adjustable crossover and frequency response
  • Versatile controls and inputs for all your audio needs

Cons

  • Sound quality suffers below 37 Hz
  • Possibility of magnetic malfunction
  • The neighbors may disapprove…or they’ll want one, too!

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In Conclusion: ELAC SUB1010 Powered Subwoofer

The final verdict of this ELAC SUB1010 review? This is a great subwoofer for a little money: a compact, sturdy, and portable subwoofer with a rugged elegance. Inputs and controls that are versatile and adaptable whether you are a music lover, a home theater enthusiast, or an avid gamer. And the sound quality will work for many home theater systems. Its drawbacks have to be stated truthfully though. The ELAC SUB1010 is probably not ideal for big bass in large, rooms unless you plan on buying two. Its compact design and power make it a much better fit in small to medium-sized rooms. There’s still a ton of value that will provide a solid boost of low-end frequencies in your home theater. The ELAC SUB1010 is a premium powered subwoofer at a pocket-friendly price!