In this review, we will be comparing Windsor 12 and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from KLH 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 KLH Windsor 12 and B&W ASW608 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the KLH Windsor 12 and B&W ASW608 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my 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 KLH Windsor 12and B&W ASW608 have a single woofer setup however the KLH Windsor 12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the B&W ASW608 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Windsor 12 has a frequency range of 30-160 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Windsor 12 can go slightly deeper then the ASW608's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 KLH Windsor 12 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 ASW608 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 KLH Windsor 12's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. KLH Windsor 12 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 401.0 x 521.0mm ( 17-7/8 x 15-3/4 x 20-1/2inch) whereas B&W ASW608 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 261.0 x 350.0mm ( 10-11/16 x 10-1/4 x 13-3/4inch) .
KLH Windsor 12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 140mm wider, 183mm taller and 171mm deeper than B&W ASW608.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Windsor 12 and B&W ASW608 in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Windsor 12 and B&W ASW608 Size and External Dimensions
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 KLH Windsor 12 is approximately 2089.2cm2 / 323.8inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The Windsor 12 requires 129% more surface area than the ASW608 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 KLH Windsor 12 weighs 20.19kg / 44.4lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the Windsor 12 128% heavier than the ASW608.
Here is a comparison of how Windsor 12 and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Windsor 12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Windsor 12:
Powered subwooferGrille9-feet AC power cordManual
What's in the Box of B&W ASW608?
Here are the items that come with the ASW608:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cord4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Lock-nutsManualBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160k Hz
vs
140k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
272mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
913cm2
vs
2089cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KLH Windsor 12 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
KLH |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-160 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite |
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
455.0mm (17.9") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
401.0mm (15.8") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
521.0mm (20.5") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
20.19kg (44.4lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| 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 |