I'd like to point out another factor as well: when you're drafting a standard set, you know that 600 gems of your entry is the three packs you walk away with no matter what- the ones you open in the draft and get to keep in your collection. Since the powered cube is phantom, it's bad value to have to pay the same entry fee and not have this guaranteed takeaway. The powered cube (and any phantom draft) should have the prize structure significantly increased, either with higher upside for winning so the higher risk is worth it, or by increasing the pack payout at all levels so you know you're at least walking away with a similar consolation as other events if you lose out. Otherwise, simply lowering the entry fee would also mitigate this inherent discrepancy in value. I understand the power cube is a novelty and shouldn't necessarily be on the same level as a standard set draft, but the low value is a feel bad and makes it less fun to play/way worse to lose.

I agree that going 2-1 in traditional warrants another go. Especially considering the high variance in power cube, where even the best decks can get blown out on turn 1-2 by something busted.