In this review, we will be comparing MSX Sub 300 and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Cambridge Audio 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 and B&W ASW608 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.Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300and B&W ASW608 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
MSX Sub 300 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 31Hz, the MSX Sub 300 can go slightly deeper then the ASW608's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has external dimensions of 312.7 x 266.7 x 311.2mm () whereas B&W ASW608 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 261.0 x 350.0mm (10-11/16 x 10-1/4 x 13-3/4inch).
B&W ASW608 is 5.7mm narrower and 40.7mm shorter than Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 but it is also 38.8mm deeper.
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.
B&W ASW608 needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. B&W ASW608 is 39mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is 41mm 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is approximately 830.0cm2 / 128.7inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The MSX Sub 300 requires 9% less surface area than the ASW608 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 Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 weighs 7.48kg / 16.5lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the ASW608 18% heavier than the MSX Sub 300.
Here is a comparison of how MSX Sub 300 and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
 Low Frequency Response |
31 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
830cm2
vs
913cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
272mm
vs
312mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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 ASW608 needs about 10% more floor area. B&W ASW608 stands 39mm further into the room. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is 41mm taller.
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-200 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.7mm (12.3") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
266.7mm (10.5") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
311.2mm (12.3") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
7.48kg (16.5lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (31Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; B&W ASW608 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Price | A | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 costs less - $549 against $599, about 8% less. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 B B&W ASW608
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?
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, B&W ASW608 is usually the easier one to make sound right.
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.