In this review, we will be comparing DWM and Subsonic, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Magnepan and Wilson Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Magnepan DWM and Wilson Audio Subsonic 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.Magnepan DWM and Wilson Audio Subsonic have a totally different setup: the Magnepan DWM features x -inch drivers whereas the Subsonic features 3 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
DWM has a frequency range of 40-200 Hz whereas Subsonic has a frequency range of 10-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the Subsonic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DWM's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Impedance and Sensitivity
DWM and Subsonic have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. DWM sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and Subsonic's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wilson Audio Subsonic a more sensitive speaker compared to Magnepan DWM, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Magnepan DWM has a Dipole type cabinet. On the other hand the Wilson Audio Subsonic have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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.
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 Magnepan DWM's and Wilson Audio Subsonic's external dimensions. Magnepan DWM has external dimensions of 489.0 x 571.5 x 31.8mm (19.25 x 22.5 x 1.25inch) whereas Wilson Audio Subsonic has external dimensions of 1653.0 x 459.0 x 691.0mm (65-1/16 x 18-1/16 x 27-3/16inch).
Magnepan DWM is 1164mm shorter and 659.2mm less deeper than Wilson Audio Subsonic but it is also 112.5mm wider.
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.
Wilson Audio Subsonic needs about 1645% more floor or shelf area. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 659mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 1164mm 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 Magnepan DWM is approximately 181.7cm2 / 28.2inch2 and base area of the Wilson Audio Subsonic is approximately 3171.7cm2 / 491.6inch2. The DWM requires 94% less surface area than the Subsonic 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 Magnepan DWM weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs and the Wilson Audio Subsonic weighs 229.00kg / 503.8lbs. This makes the Subsonic 2,557% heavier than the DWM.
Here is a comparison of how DWM and Subsonic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
489mm
vs
1653mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
181cm2
vs
3171cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1295USD
vs
47250USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
1-way
vs
-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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.
Wilson Audio Subsonic needs about 1645% more floor area. Wilson Audio Subsonic stands 659mm further into the room. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 1164mm taller.
| General |
Magnepan DWM |
Wilson Audio Subsonic |
| Brand |
Magnepan |
Wilson Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-200 Hz |
10-150 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
3 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper pulp |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
489.0mm (19.3") |
1653.0mm (65.1") |
| Width |
571.5mm (22.5") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Depth |
31.8mm (1.3") |
691.0mm (27.2") |
| Weight |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
229.00kg (503.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Dipole |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A dipole subwoofer against a ported 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 | B | Wilson Audio Subsonic goes deeper - 10Hz against 40Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | depends | Magnepan DWM is dipole - a dipole cancels to the sides and excites room modes less, but needs far more power; Wilson Audio Subsonic is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Magnepan DWM is about 98% 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 | A | Magnepan DWM costs less - $1,295 against $47,250, about 97% less. |
A Magnepan DWM B Wilson Audio Subsonic
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?
Wilson Audio Subsonic is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36.5x the price. Magnepan DWM is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $1,295 each, two Magnepan DWM cost about $2,590 against $47,250 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Magnepan DWM is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.