In this review, we will be comparing Minx X201 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 Minx X201 and B&W ASW608 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Cambridge Audio Minx X201 and B&W ASW608 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.Both Cambridge Audio Minx X201and B&W ASW608 have a single woofer setup however the Cambridge Audio Minx X201's woofer is 6.5-inch whereas the B&W ASW608 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Minx X201 has a frequency range of 36-200 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the ASW608 can go slightly deeper then the Minx X201's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 Minx X201
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
Cabinet Type
The Cambridge Audio Minx X201 has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or sealed designs. On the other hand the B&W ASW608 have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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 Cambridge Audio Minx X201's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio Minx X201 has external dimensions of 220.0 x 210.0 x 256.0mm ( 8-5/8 x 8-1/4 x 10-1/16inch) 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 clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 51mm wider, 52mm taller and 94mm deeper than Cambridge Audio Minx X201.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Cambridge Audio Minx X201 and B&W ASW608 in scale.
Comparison image of Cambridge Audio Minx X201 and B&W ASW608 Size and External Dimensions
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 Minx X201 is approximately 537.6cm2 / 83.3inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The Minx X201 requires 41% 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 Minx X201 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the ASW608 77% heavier than the Minx X201.
Here is a comparison of how Minx X201 and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X201
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio Minx X201?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Minx X201:
Powered subwooferGrille (installed)6-feet AC power cordInstallation GuideImportant Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of B&W ASW608?
Here are the items that come with the ASW608:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cord4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Lock-nutsManualBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
200k Hz
vs
140k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
two 6.5-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
220mm
vs
272mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
537cm2
vs
913cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Cambridge Audio Minx X201 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
36-200 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
220.0mm (8.7") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
256.0mm (10.1") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |