In this review, we will be comparing Descend DN15 and SW-15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Definitive Technology and Wharfedale. 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 Definitive DN15 and Wharfedale SW-15 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.Definitive DN15and Wharfedale SW-15 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 15" drivers.
Frequency Response
Descend DN15 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz whereas SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Descend DN15 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SW-15's min frequency of 30Hz.
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
The Definitive DN15 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 Wharfedale SW-15 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
New
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 Definitive DN15's and Wharfedale SW-15's external dimensions. Definitive DN15 has external dimensions of 634.0 x 596.0 x 640.0mm (24-15/16inch x 23-7/16inch x 25-3/16inch) whereas Wharfedale SW-15 has external dimensions of 570.0 x 493.0 x 615.0mm (22-7/16inch x 19-3/8inch x 24-3/16inch).
Definitive DN15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 103mm wider, 64mm taller and 25mm deeper than Wharfedale SW-15.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Definitive DN15 and Wharfedale SW-15 in scale.
Comparison image of Definitive DN15 and Wharfedale SW-15 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 Definitive DN15 is approximately 3814.4cm2 / 591.2inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2. The Descend DN15 requires 26% more surface area than the SW-15 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 Definitive DN15 weighs 52.09kg / 114.6lbs and the Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs. This makes the Descend DN15 65% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how Descend DN15 and SW-15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Definitive DN15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Descend DN15:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- CR2032 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of Wharfedale SW-15?
Here are the items that come with the SW-15:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
2 x 15-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
570mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3032cm2
vs
3814cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Definitive DN15 needs about 26% more floor area. Definitive DN15 stands 25mm further into the room. Definitive DN15 is 64mm taller.
| General |
Definitive Technology Descend DN15 |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
20-150 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
634.0mm (25") |
570.0mm (22.4") |
| Width |
596.0mm (23.5") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
640.0mm (25.2") |
615.0mm (24.2") |
| Weight |
52.09kg (114.6lbs) |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a ported 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 | A | Definitive DN15 goes deeper - 20Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Definitive DN15 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 400W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (15" against 15"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Definitive DN15 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; Wharfedale SW-15 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Definitive DN15 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Wharfedale SW-15 is about 29% 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 | B | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $1,799, about 33% less. |
A Definitive DN15 B Wharfedale SW-15
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?
The usual trade-off: Definitive DN15 measures better, Wharfedale SW-15 costs about 33% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Definitive DN15 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.