In this review, we will be comparing Sub Air and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Focal 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 Focal Sub Air 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.
**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 Focal Sub Airand B&W DB4S have a single woofer setup however the Focal Sub Air's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W DB4S features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Sub Air has a frequency range of 40-200 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 Sub Air's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Focal Sub Air 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 Focal Sub Air's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Focal Sub Air has external dimensions of 410.0 x 362.0 x 162.0mm (16-1/8 x 14-1/4 x 6-3/8inch) 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).
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 Focal Sub Air is approximately 586.4cm2 / 90.9inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The Sub Air requires 63% 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 Focal Sub Air weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 237% heavier than the Sub Air.
Here is a comparison of how Sub Air 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 Focal Sub Air?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sub Air:
- Wireless powered subwoofer
- Wireless transmitter
- AC power adapter (attached 6-feet DC cord)
- AC power plug insert (2-prong)
- 8-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Brackets
- Four M4 x 10mm machine screws
- Four M4 x 17mm machine screws
- 4 Wood-screws
- 4 Wall-anchors
- User Manual
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 |
586cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1299USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
200k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
375mm
vs
410mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Focal Sub Air |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Focal |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
110 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-200 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
110-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cellulose Pulp |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
410.0mm (16.1") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
362.0mm (14.3") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
162.0mm (6.4") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |