In this review, we will be comparing MSX Sub 300 and ASW610, 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 ASW610 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.Both Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300and B&W ASW610 have a single woofer setup however the Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W ASW610 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MSX Sub 300 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the ASW610 can go slightly deeper then the MSX Sub 300's min frequency of 31Hz.
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 ASW610's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 has external dimensions of 312.7 x 266.7 x 311.2mm () whereas B&W ASW610 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 312.0 x 394.0mm (12-5/8 x 12-1/4 x 15-1/2inch).
B&W ASW610 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 45.3mm wider, 8.3mm taller and 82.8mm deeper than Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300.
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 ASW610 needs about 48% more floor or shelf area. B&W ASW610 is 83mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The MSX Sub 300 requires 32% less surface area than the ASW610 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 ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the ASW610 68% heavier than the MSX Sub 300.
Here is a comparison of how MSX Sub 300 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
312mm
vs
321mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
830cm2
vs
1229cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 ASW610 needs about 48% more floor area. B&W ASW610 stands 83mm further into the room.
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-200 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| 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") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
266.7mm (10.5") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
311.2mm (12.3") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
7.48kg (16.5lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| 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 | B | B&W ASW610 goes deeper - 27Hz against 31Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 31Hz. |
| 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 | B | B&W ASW610 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| 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 ASW610 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is about 34% 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 | Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 costs less - $549 against $899, about 39% less. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 B B&W ASW610
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 ASW610 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 64% more. Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 ASW610 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 $549 each, two Cambridge Audio MSX Sub 300 cost about $1,098 against $899 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.