In this review, we will be comparing DB2D and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Bowers Wilkins. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of B&W DB2D and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.B&W DB2D and B&W DB4S have a totally different setup: the B&W DB2D features 2 x 10-inch drivers whereas the DB4S features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
DB2D and DB4S has exactly the same frequency range of 10-350 Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both B&W DB2D and B&W DB4S have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare B&W DB2D's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. B&W DB2D has external dimensions of 386.0 x 431.0 x 410.0mm (15-3/16inch x 16-15/16inch x 16-1/8inch) whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm (14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch).
B&W DB4S is 69mm narrower and 11mm shorter than B&W DB2D but it is also 24mm deeper.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the B&W DB2D is approximately 1767.1cm2 / 273.9inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The DB2D requires 12% more surface area than the DB4S which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The B&W DB2D weighs 36.09kg / 79.4lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB2D 39% heavier than the DB4S.
Here is a comparison of how DB2D and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W DB2D?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of DB2D:
- Powered subwoofer
- 2 Grilles
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Decoupling feet
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Cleaning cloth
- Quickstart Guide
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
- Cleaning cloth instructions
What's in the Box of B&W DB4S?
Here are the items that come with the DB4S:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Decoupling feet
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Cleaning cloth
- Quickstart Guide
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
- Cleaning cloth instructions
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
375mm
vs
386mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1571cm2
vs
1767cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
4499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
B&W DB2D needs about 12% more floor area. B&W DB4S stands 24mm further into the room.
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins DB2D |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-350 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
431.0mm (17") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
410.0mm (16.1") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
36.09kg (79.4lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (10Hz vs 10Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (1000W vs 1000W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | B&W DB2D moves more air: 2 x 10" against 10" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | B&W DB2D fires side and B&W DB4S fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Price | B | B&W DB4S costs less - $2,199 against $4,499, about 51% less. |
A B&W DB2D B B&W DB4S
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
B&W DB2D is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 105% more. B&W DB4S is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $2,199 each, two B&W DB4S cost about $4,398 against $4,499 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.