The KEF PSW3500 powered subwoofer combines high style with convincing bass that is well suited for both music and home-theater applications. While many subwoofers on the market are boring black cubes that are best hidden in a corner or under an end table, the PSW3500 stands out from the pack with it's unusual oval shape and variety of veneer finishes.

The PSW3500 breaks from the boxy subwoofer tradition with its wonderfully rounded cabinet that is a perfect match for KEF's iQ loudspeakers. The PSW3500 is available in black ash, walnut, maple, dark apple and silver finishes, and the cabinet looks unlike any other sub on the market. While we love the design and build quality, our sample unit's walnut finish appeared a bit substandard, so we recommend you consider one of the other available veneers.

The internal 300-watt amplifier drives a 12-inch, downward-firing, long-throw woofer in a closed-box design that is capable of extremely powerful bass. The magnetically shielded cabinet is packed with features such as fully adjustable level, frequency, phase and crossover controls. You can adjust everything from the comfort of your listening position with the included remote, providing a level of convenience not found in most other subwoofers. In fact, we like the remote so much that we consider it our favorite feature.

In our musical tests, the KEF provided tight and punchy bass that was controlled and never muddy. It is often difficult to blend a subwoofer with bookshelf or tower speakers without gumming up the sound, but the PSW3500 proved easy on our ears. KEF gives the PSW3500 a switchable movie/music mode, which is intended to add extra impact in the movie setting.

To fully appreciate DVD and high-definition TV content, you need a powerful subwoofer, and the PSW3500 won't disappoint. During action sequences with large explosions and gunfights, the PSW3500 delivered thunderous bass that shook the entire listening room. Our chairs and sofa vibrated with each punch during fistfights, and when a spaceship flew across the screen in a science-fiction movie, the pictures on the wall rattled. Even at low volumes, the bass was convincing and the PSW3500 provided a subtle, tactile response throughout the room.

For a stylish addition to your listening room or home theater, the PSW3500 backs up its lovely design with strong performance. The subwoofer produced convincing bass that was surprisingly musical and satisfying throughout our listening tests. The PSW3500 stands on its own as a great subwoofer, and it also makes an ideal match for speakers from KEF's iQ series.


Pros:  Remote control, unique styling, excellent extension and tactile performance
Cons:  Disappointing walnut finish, expensive (but worth it)

Warranty
1 year