In this review, we will be comparing Muro SUB2010 and DB4S, 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 Muro SUB2010 and B&W DB4S 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 Muro SUB2010and B&W DB4S have a single woofer setup however the ELAC Muro SUB2010's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W DB4S features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Muro SUB2010 has a frequency range of 38-150 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB4S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Muro SUB2010's min frequency of 38Hz.
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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the B&W DB4S 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
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 Muro SUB2010's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. ELAC Muro SUB2010 has external dimensions of 388.0 x 135.0 x 405.0mm (15-1/4 x 5-5/16 x 15-15/16inch) whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm (14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch).
ELAC Muro SUB2010 is 227mm narrower and 29mm less deeper than B&W DB4S but it is also 13mm 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 Muro SUB2010 is approximately 546.8cm2 / 84.8inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The Muro SUB2010 requires 65% less surface area than the DB4S 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 Muro SUB2010 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 233% heavier than the Muro SUB2010.
Here is a comparison of how Muro SUB2010 and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Muro SUB2010?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Muro SUB2010:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Cone feet
- 2 Brackets
- 2 Machine screws
- 2 Wood screws
- 2 Washers
- 2 Wall anchors
- Operating Instructions
What's in the Box of B&W DB4S?
Here are the items that come with the DB4S:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Decoupling feet
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Cleaning cloth
- Quickstart Guide
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
- Cleaning cloth instructions
 Base Surface Area |
546cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
770USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
375mm
vs
388mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
ELAC Muro SUB2010 |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
125 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
38-150 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
125-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
side or bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
388.0mm (15.3") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
135.0mm (5.3") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
405.0mm (15.9") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |