In this review, we will be comparing SUB10 and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Buchardt and 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 Buchardt SUB10 and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Buchardt SUB10 and B&W DB4S compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Buchardt SUB10and B&W DB4S have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
SUB10 has a frequency range of 20-300 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB4S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SUB10'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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Buchardt SUB10 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Buchardt SUB10's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Buchardt SUB10 has external dimensions of 490 x 320 x 160 mm ( 19.3 x 12.6 x 6.3 inch) 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) .
Buchardt SUB10 is 42mm narrower and 274mm less deeper than B&W DB4S but it is also 115mm 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 Buchardt SUB10 is approximately 512.0cm2 / 79.4inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The SUB10 requires 67% less surface area than the DB4S 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 Buchardt SUB10 weighs 14.00kg / 30.8lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 86% heavier than the SUB10.
Here is a comparison of how SUB10 and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
512cm2 (320x160mm)
vs
1571cm2 (362x434mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1300USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
300k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
375mm
vs
490mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Buchardt SUB10 |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Buchardt |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-300 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
0-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
490.0mm (19.3") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
160.0mm (6.3") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
14.00kg (30.8lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black,White |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years on woofer and cabinet, 2 years on amp module |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |