In this review, we will be comparing DS103 and ASW610, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC DS103 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.ELAC DS103and B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
DS103 has a frequency range of 31-150 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 DS103'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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
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 ELAC DS103's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. ELAC DS103 has external dimensions of 325.4 x 311.2 x 392.1mm () 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).
ELAC DS103 is 0.80000000000001mm narrower and 1.9mm less deeper than B&W ASW610 but it is also 4.4mm 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 ELAC DS103 is approximately 1220.2cm2 / 189.1inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The DS103 requires 1% 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 ELAC DS103 weighs 10.30kg / 22.7lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the ASW610 22% heavier than the DS103.
Here is a comparison of how DS103 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1220cm2
vs
1229cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
479USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
31 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
321mm
vs
325mm
|
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.
Near-identical footprints.
| General |
ELAC DS103 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
31-150 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
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 |
325.4mm (12.8") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
311.2mm (12.3") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
392.1mm (15.4") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
10.30kg (22.7lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W ASW610 costs roughly 1.9x what ELAC DS103 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| 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 | B | B&W ASW610 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 100W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Warranty | B | B&W ASW610 carries 2 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | ELAC DS103 costs less - $479 against $899, about 47% less. |
A ELAC DS103 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?
The usual trade-off: B&W ASW610 measures better, ELAC DS103 costs about 47% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $479 each, two ELAC DS103 cost about $958 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.