In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo 600X and DB4S, 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 600X and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the MartinLogan 600X and B&W DB4S compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.MartinLogan 600Xand B&W DB4S have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Dynamo 600X has a frequency range of 27-200 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB4S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo 600X'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
The MartinLogan 600X has a Bass reflex type cabinet. On the other hand the B&W DB4S 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 600X's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. MartinLogan 600X has external dimensions of 415.0 x 369.0 x 420.0mm ( 16-5/16 x 14-1/2 x 16-1/2inch) whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm ( 14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch) .
B&W DB4S is 7mm narrower and 40mm shorter than MartinLogan 600X but it is also 14mm deeper.
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 600X is approximately 1549.8cm2 / 240.2inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The Dynamo 600X requires 1% less surface area than the DB4S 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 MartinLogan 600X weighs 15.91kg / 35lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 64% heavier than the Dynamo 600X.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo 600X and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 600X?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Dynamo 600X:
Powered subwoofer6.5-feet AC power cordUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of B&W DB4S?
Here are the items that come with the DB4S:
Powered subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cord4 Decoupling feet4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Lock-nutsCleaning clothQuickstart GuideBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty InformationCleaning cloth instructions
 Base Surface Area |
1549cm2 (369x420mm)
vs
1571cm2 (362x434mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
700USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
200k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
375mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo 600X |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
120 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
27-200 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
0-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
415.0mm (16.3") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
369.0mm (14.5") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
420.0mm (16.5") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
15.91kg (35lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
2 Years |