In this review, we will be comparing DB4S and DB3D, 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 DB4S and B&W DB3D 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 DB4S and B&W DB3D have a totally different setup: the B&W DB4S features 1 x 10-inch drivers whereas the DB3D features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz whereas DB3D has a frequency range of 10-350Hz.
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 DB4S and B&W DB3D 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 DB4S's and B&W DB3D's external dimensions. 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) whereas B&W DB3D has external dimensions of 368.3 x 341.3 x 347.7mm ().
B&W DB4S is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20.7mm wider, 6.7mm taller and 86.3mm deeper than B&W DB3D.
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 DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2 and base area of the B&W DB3D is approximately 1186.7cm2 / 183.9inch2. The DB4S requires 32% more surface area than the DB3D 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 DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs and the B&W DB3D weighs 25.05kg / 55.1lbs. This makes the DB4S 4% heavier than the DB3D.
Here is a comparison of how DB4S and DB3D'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 DB4S?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 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
What's in the Box of B&W DB3D?
Here are the items that come with the DB3D:
- 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
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
3499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Height |
368mm
vs
375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1186cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 DB4S needs about 32% more floor area. B&W DB4S stands 86mm further into the room.
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
Bowers & Wilkins DB3D |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
10-350 Hz |
10-350Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
375.0mm (14.8") |
368.3mm (14.5") |
| Width |
362.0mm (14.3") |
341.3mm (13.4") |
| Depth |
434.0mm (17.1") |
347.7mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
25.05kg (55.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Both are Bowers Wilkins, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| 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 | B | B&W DB3D moves more air: 2 x 8" against 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 | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Setup and tuning | evenly matched | The same tuning tools on both (app control). |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W DB3D is about 26% 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. |
| Price | A | B&W DB4S costs less - $2,199 against $3,499, about 37% less. |
A B&W DB4S B B&W DB3D
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 DB3D is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 59% 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 $3,499 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.