In this review, we will be comparing Flexus Sub 100 and ASW610, 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 Flexus Sub 100 and B&W ASW610 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 Flexus Sub 100and B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Flexus Sub 100 has a frequency range of 26-250 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 26Hz, the Flexus Sub 100 can go slightly deeper then the ASW610's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 and B&W ASW610 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 Klipsch Flexus Sub 100's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 335.0 x 349.0mm (13-3/8 x 13-3/16 x 13-3/4inch) whereas B&W ASW610 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 312.0 x 394.0mm (12-5/8 x 12-1/4 x 15-1/2inch).
B&W ASW610 is 23mm narrower and 19mm shorter than Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 but it is also 45mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints. B&W ASW610 is 45mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 is 19mm 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 Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 is approximately 1169.2cm2 / 181.2inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The Flexus Sub 100 requires 5% less surface area than the ASW610 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 Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 weighs 9.40kg / 20.7lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the ASW610 34% heavier than the Flexus Sub 100.
Here is a comparison of how Flexus Sub 100 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
26 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1169cm2
vs
1229cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
321mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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 ASW610 stands 45mm further into the room. Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 is 19mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
80 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
26-250 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
80-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
160-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
335.0mm (13.2") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
349.0mm (13.7") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
9.40kg (20.7lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W ASW610 costs roughly 2.6x what Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (26Hz vs 27Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | B&W ASW610 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 80W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 offers a wireless link. It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Warranty | A | Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 costs less - $350 against $899, about 61% less. |
A Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 B B&W ASW610
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. 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 $350 each, two Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 cost about $700 against $899 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.