In this review, we will be comparing SUB8 and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Kanto 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 Kanto SUB8 and B&W ASW608 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.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Kanto SUB8and B&W ASW608 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
SUB8 has a frequency range of 35-175 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the ASW608 can go slightly deeper then the SUB8's min frequency of 35Hz.
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
Both Kanto SUB8 and B&W ASW608 have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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 Kanto SUB8's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Kanto SUB8 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 281.0 x 329.0mm (11-13/16 x 11-1/16 x 12-15/16inch) 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).
B&W ASW608 is 20mm narrower and 29mm shorter than Kanto SUB8 but it is also 21mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto SUB8 and B&W ASW608 in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto SUB8 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 Kanto SUB8 is approximately 924.5cm2 / 143.3inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The SUB8 requires 1% 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 Kanto SUB8 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the ASW608 13% heavier than the SUB8.
Here is a comparison of how SUB8 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 Kanto SUB8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SUB8:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 9.75-feet mono-RCA cable
- User Manual
What's in the Box of B&W ASW608?
Here are the items that come with the ASW608:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
272mm
vs
301mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
913cm2
vs
924cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Near-identical footprints. B&W ASW608 stands 21mm further into the room. Kanto SUB8 is 29mm taller.
| General |
Kanto SUB8 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
125 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
35-175 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
125-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
250-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
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 |
301.0mm (11.9") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
281.0mm (11.1") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
329.0mm (13") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W ASW608 costs roughly 2x what Kanto SUB8 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | B&W ASW608 goes deeper - 32Hz against 35Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 35Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | B&W ASW608 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 125W RMS, about 2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | B&W ASW608 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Price | A | Kanto SUB8 costs less - $300 against $599, about 50% less. |
A Kanto SUB8 B B&W ASW608
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?
The usual trade-off: B&W ASW608 measures better, Kanto SUB8 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, B&W ASW608 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $300 each, two Kanto SUB8 cost about $600 against $599 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.