In this review, we will be comparing S 808 SUB and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Jamo 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 Jamo S 808 SUB and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Jamo S 808 SUB and B&W DB4S compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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 Jamo S 808 SUBand B&W DB4S have a single woofer setup however the Jamo S 808 SUB's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W DB4S features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
S 808 SUB has a frequency range of 39-180 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 S 808 SUB's min frequency of 39Hz.
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 Jamo S 808 SUB 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Jamo S 808 SUB's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Jamo S 808 SUB has external dimensions of 459.0 x 178.0 x 356.0mm ( 18-1/16 x 7 x 14inch) 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) .
Jamo S 808 SUB is 184mm narrower and 78mm less deeper than B&W DB4S but it is also 84mm 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 Jamo S 808 SUB is approximately 633.7cm2 / 98.2inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The S 808 SUB requires 60% 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 Jamo S 808 SUB weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 202% heavier than the S 808 SUB.
Here is a comparison of how S 808 SUB 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 Jamo S 808 SUB?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S 808 SUB:
Powered subwooferGrille5-feet AC power cord6.5-feet Mono-RCA cable4 Rubber feetUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
What's in the Box of B&W DB4S?
Here are the items that come with the DB4S:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cord4 Decoupling feet4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Lock-nutsCleaning clothQuickstart GuideBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty InformationCleaning cloth instructions
 Base Surface Area |
633cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
149USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
180k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
375mm
vs
459mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Jamo S 808 SUB |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Jamo |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
39-180 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
0-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polyfiber |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
Side |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
459.0mm (18.1") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
178.0mm (7") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
356.0mm (14") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |