In this review, we will be comparing C-308ASWi and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi 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.Klipsch C-308ASWiand B&W ASW608 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
C-308ASWi has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or 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
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 Klipsch C-308ASWi's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Klipsch C-308ASWi has external dimensions of 299.0 x 286.0 x 356.0mm (11-3/4 x 11-1/4 x 14inch) 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).
Klipsch C-308ASWi is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 27mm taller and 6mm deeper than B&W ASW608.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch C-308ASWi and B&W ASW608 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi is approximately 1018.2cm2 / 157.8inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The C-308ASWi requires 11% 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi weighs 12.27kg / 27lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the C-308ASWi 38% heavier than the ASW608.
Here is a comparison of how C-308ASWi 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 Klipsch C-308ASWi?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of C-308ASWi:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- 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
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
272mm
vs
299mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
913cm2
vs
1018cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Klipsch C-308ASWi needs about 11% more floor area. Klipsch C-308ASWi is 27mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch C Series C-308ASWi |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-150 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
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 |
299.0mm (11.8") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
286.0mm (11.3") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
356.0mm (14") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
12.27kg (27lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch C-308ASWi goes deeper - 28Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch C-308ASWi has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB 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 | depends | Klipsch C-308ASWi is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; B&W ASW608 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch C-308ASWi offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W ASW608 is about 18% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | B | B&W ASW608 costs less - $599 against $1,299, about 54% less. |
A Klipsch C-308ASWi 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: Klipsch C-308ASWi measures better, B&W ASW608 costs about 54% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch C-308ASWi will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, B&W ASW608 is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $599 each, two B&W ASW608 cost about $1,198 against $1,299 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.