In this review, we will be comparing Integrator Series IW S10EQ W and IW Sub Reference, two Passive In-wall speakers from ELAC and Definitive Technology. Let's have a brief look at the main features of ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W and Definitive IW Sub Reference 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.
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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 ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ Wand Definitive IW Sub Reference have a single woofer setup however the ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Definitive IW Sub Reference features a 13-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Integrator Series IW S10EQ W has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz whereas IW Sub Reference has a frequency range of 14-200Hz. With a minimum frequency of 14Hz, the IW Sub Reference can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Integrator Series IW S10EQ W's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W
Definitive IW Sub Reference
High Frequency
In-wall Speakers
ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W
Definitive IW Sub Reference
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Integrator Series IW S10EQ W features Spring post type posts and IW Sub Reference has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Integrator Series IW S10EQ W's and Definitive IW Sub Reference's external dimensions. ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W has external dimensions of 311.2 x 311.2 x 108.0mm () whereas 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).
ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W is 54.8mm narrower and 327.8mm shorter than Definitive IW Sub Reference but it is also 6mm deeper.
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 Integrator Series IW S10EQ W weighs 6.46kg / 14.2lbs and the Definitive IW Sub Reference weighs 11.79kg / 25.9lbs. This makes the IW Sub Reference 83% heavier than the Integrator Series IW S10EQ W.
Here is a comparison of how Integrator Series IW S10EQ W and IW Sub Reference's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W
Definitive IW Sub Reference
 Height |
311mm
vs
639mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
336cm2
vs
373cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
14 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
1 x 13-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W |
Definitive Technology IW Sub Reference |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-150 Hz |
14-200Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
311.2mm (12.3") |
639.0mm (25.2") |
| Width |
311.2mm (12.3") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Depth |
108.0mm (4.3") |
102.0mm (4") |
| Weight |
6.46kg (14.2lbs) |
11.79kg (25.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Yr (Sub)/1 Yr (Amp) |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Yr (Sub)/1 Yr (Amp) |
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 | B | Definitive IW Sub Reference goes deeper - 14Hz against 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Driver area | B | 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W is about 56% 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. |
| Warranty | B | Definitive IW Sub Reference carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Definitive IW Sub Reference costs less - $1,499 against $2,199, about 32% less. |
A ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W B Definitive IW Sub Reference
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 the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - ELAC Integrator Series IW S10EQ W is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.