In this review, we will be comparing Depth 212 and ASW610, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from MartinLogan 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 MartinLogan Depth 212 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.MartinLogan Depth 212 and B&W ASW610 have a totally different setup: the MartinLogan Depth 212 features 2 x 12-inch drivers whereas the ASW610 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Depth 212 has a frequency range of 18-120 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Depth 212 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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 MartinLogan Depth 212 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 MartinLogan Depth 212's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. MartinLogan Depth 212 has external dimensions of 533.0 x 503.0 x 518.0mm (21 x 19-13/16 x 20-3/8inch) 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).
MartinLogan Depth 212 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 191mm wider, 212mm taller and 124mm deeper than B&W ASW610.
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.
MartinLogan Depth 212 needs about 112% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan Depth 212 is 124mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan Depth 212 is 212mm 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 MartinLogan Depth 212 is approximately 2605.5cm2 / 403.9inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The Depth 212 requires 112% more surface area than the ASW610 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 MartinLogan Depth 212 weighs 57.60kg / 126.7lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the Depth 212 359% heavier than the ASW610.
Here is a comparison of how Depth 212 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
321mm
vs
533mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1229cm2
vs
2605cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
5500USD
|
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.
MartinLogan Depth 212 needs about 112% more floor area. MartinLogan Depth 212 stands 124mm further into the room. MartinLogan Depth 212 is 212mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Depth 212 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1100 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-120 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium |
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
35–120Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
533.0mm (21") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
503.0mm (19.8") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
518.0mm (20.4") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
57.60kg (126.7lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | MartinLogan Depth 212 goes deeper - 18Hz against 27Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | MartinLogan Depth 212 has the bigger amplifier - 1100W against 200W RMS, about 7.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | MartinLogan Depth 212 moves more air: 2 x 12" against 10" is 2.88x the cone area, not the 1.7x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W ASW610 is about 72% 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 ASW610 costs less - $899 against $5,500, about 84% less. |
A MartinLogan Depth 212 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?
The usual trade-off: MartinLogan Depth 212 measures better, B&W ASW610 costs about 84% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $899 each, two B&W ASW610 cost about $1,798 against $5,500 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - B&W ASW610 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.