In this review, we will be comparing DB2D and RP-1600SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Klipsch. 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 Klipsch RP-1600SW 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 Klipsch RP-1600SW have a totally different setup: the B&W DB2D features 2 x 10-inch drivers whereas the RP-1600SW features 1 x 16-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
DB2D has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz whereas RP-1600SW has a frequency range of 14.5-175 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB2D can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RP-1600SW's min frequency of 15Hz.
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
The B&W DB2D has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the Klipsch RP-1600SW have Bass Reflex type enclosure. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed 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 Klipsch RP-1600SW'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 Klipsch RP-1600SW has external dimensions of 596.0 x 597.0 x 696.0mm (23-7/16inch x 23-1/2inch x 27-3/8inch).
Klipsch RP-1600SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 166mm wider, 210mm taller and 286mm deeper than B&W DB2D.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch RP-1600SW needs about 135% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1600SW is 286mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch RP-1600SW is 210mm taller.
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 Klipsch RP-1600SW is approximately 4155.1cm2 / 644.0inch2. The DB2D requires 57% less surface area than the RP-1600SW which gives it a small advantage 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 Klipsch RP-1600SW weighs 50.00kg / 110lbs. This makes the RP-1600SW 39% heavier than the DB2D.
Here is a comparison of how DB2D and RP-1600SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
15 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350 Hz
vs
175 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
386mm
vs
596mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1767cm2
vs
4155cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
2000USD
vs
4499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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.
Klipsch RP-1600SW needs about 135% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1600SW stands 286mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1600SW is 210mm taller.
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins DB2D |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1600SW |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-350 Hz |
14.5-175 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
16" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
596.0mm (23.5") |
| Width |
431.0mm (17") |
597.0mm (23.5") |
| Depth |
410.0mm (16.1") |
696.0mm (27.4") |
| Weight |
36.09kg (79.4lbs) |
50.00kg (110lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White |
Ebony |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | B&W DB2D goes deeper - 10Hz against 15Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | B&W DB2D has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 800W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch RP-1600SW moves more air: 16" against 2 x 10" is 1.28x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | B&W DB2D is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch RP-1600SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RP-1600SW offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Driver placement | depends | B&W DB2D fires side and Klipsch RP-1600SW 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W DB2D is about 72% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | B | Klipsch RP-1600SW carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-1600SW costs less - $2,000 against $4,499, about 56% less. |
A B&W DB2D B Klipsch RP-1600SW
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch RP-1600SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, B&W DB2D is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $2,000 each, two Klipsch RP-1600SW cost about $4,000 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.