In this review, we will be comparing IW Sub Reference and IWSub 1010, two Passive In-wall speakers by Definitive Technology. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Definitive IW Sub Reference and Definitive IWSub 1010 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Definitive IW Sub Referenceand Definitive IWSub 1010 have a single woofer setup however the Definitive IW Sub Reference's woofer is 13-inch whereas the Definitive IWSub 1010 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
IW Sub Reference has a frequency range of 14-200Hz whereas IWSub 1010 has a frequency range of 16-200Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the IW Sub Reference can go slightly deeper then the IWSub 1010's min frequency of 16Hz.
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 In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Definitive IW Sub Reference
High Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Definitive IW Sub Reference
Power Range
IW Sub Reference and IWSub 1010 has the same power range of up to 275 watts.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
IW Sub Reference features Spring post type posts and IWSub 1010 has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type
Both Definitive IW Sub Reference and Definitive IWSub 1010 have In-wall type cabinets.
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 IW Sub Reference's and Definitive IWSub 1010's external dimensions. Definitive IW Sub Reference has external dimensions of 639.0 x 366.0 x 102.0mm (25.1250-inch x 14.3750-inch x 4.0000-inch) whereas Definitive IWSub 1010 has external dimensions of 505.0 x 366.0 x 97.0mm (19.8750-inch x 14.3750-inch x 3.8125-inch).
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 IW Sub Reference weighs 11.79kg / 25.9lbs and the Definitive IWSub 1010 weighs 10.43kg / 22.9lbs. This makes the IW Sub Reference 13% heavier than the IWSub 1010.
Here is a comparison of how IW Sub Reference and IWSub 1010's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
Definitive IW Sub Reference
What's in the Box of Definitive IW Sub Reference?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of IW Sub Reference:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Long self-adhesive foam gaskets
- 3 Short self-adhesive foam gaskets
- 8 Screws
- Wall-template
- Paint mask
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
What's in the Box of Definitive IWSub 1010?
Here are the items that come with the IWSub 1010:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille (attached)
- 7 Self-adhesive foam gaskets
- 6 Screws
- Wall-template
- Paint mask
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
505mm
vs
639mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
355cm2
vs
373cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Definitive Technology IW Sub Reference |
Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10 |
| Brand |
Definitive Technology |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Power Range |
up to 275 watts |
up to 275 watts |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
14-200Hz |
16-200Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
639.0mm (25.2") |
505.0mm (19.9") |
| Width |
366.0mm (14.4") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Depth |
102.0mm (4") |
97.0mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
11.79kg (25.9lbs) |
10.43kg (22.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
In-wall |
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (14Hz vs 16Hz). |
| Driver area | A | Definitive IW Sub Reference moves more air: 13" against 10" is 1.69x the cone area, not the 1.3x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are in-wall designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Definitive IWSub 1010 is about 25% 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 | Definitive IWSub 1010 costs less - $999 against $1,499, about 33% less. |
A Definitive IW Sub Reference B Definitive IWSub 1010
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?
Definitive IW Sub Reference is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 50% more. Definitive IWSub 1010 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra.
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.