In this review, we will be comparing DB2D and BalancedForce 210, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Bowers Wilkins and MartinLogan. 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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 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 DB2Dand MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 2 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
DB2D has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz whereas BalancedForce 210 has a frequency range of 20-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB2D can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the BalancedForce 210's min frequency of 20Hz.
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
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210
Cabinet Type
Both B&W DB2D and MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210'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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 has external dimensions of 485.0 x 486.0 x 543.0mm (19-1/16inch x 19-1/8inch x 21-3/8inch).
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 55mm wider, 99mm taller and 133mm deeper than B&W DB2D.
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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 is approximately 2639.0cm2 / 409.0inch2. The DB2D requires 33% less surface area than the BalancedForce 210 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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 weighs 43.64kg / 96lbs. This makes the BalancedForce 210 21% heavier than the DB2D.
Here is a comparison of how DB2D and BalancedForce 210's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210
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 MartinLogan BalancedForce 210?
Here are the items that come with the BalancedForce 210:
- Powered subwoofer
- Top-glass cover
- 2 Grilles
- 8-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Collars
- USB thumbdrive
- User-feets Manual
- Online Registration Card
 Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
386mm
vs
485mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1767cm2
vs
2639cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3499USD
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.
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 needs about 49% more floor area. MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 stands 133mm further into the room. MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 is 99mm taller.
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins DB2D |
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
850 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-350 Hz |
20-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
850-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1700-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
485.0mm (19.1") |
| Width |
431.0mm (17") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Depth |
410.0mm (16.1") |
543.0mm (21.4") |
| Weight |
36.09kg (79.4lbs) |
43.64kg (96lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White |
Gloss Black, Black Ash |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years w/ Registration |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | B&W DB2D goes deeper - 10Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (1000W vs 850W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 10" against 2 x 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W DB2D is about 47% 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 | MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 carries 3 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 | MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 costs less - $3,499 against $4,499, about 22% less. |
A B&W DB2D B MartinLogan BalancedForce 210
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?
MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, MartinLogan BalancedForce 210 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - B&W DB2D is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.