In this review, we will be comparing Defiance S10 and ASW610, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm Defiance S10 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.Paradigm Defiance S10and B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Defiance S10 has a frequency range of 25-200 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Defiance S10 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
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 Paradigm Defiance S10's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance S10 has external dimensions of 338.1 x 342.9 x 425.5mm () 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).
Paradigm Defiance S10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30.9mm wider, 17.1mm taller and 31.5mm 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.
Paradigm Defiance S10 needs about 19% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Defiance S10 is 32mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm Defiance S10 is 17mm 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 Paradigm Defiance S10 is approximately 1459.0cm2 / 226.1inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The Defiance S10 requires 19% 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 Paradigm Defiance S10 weighs 15.74kg / 34.6lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the Defiance S10 25% heavier than the ASW610.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance S10 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
321mm
vs
338mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1229cm2
vs
1459cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1200USD
|
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.
Paradigm Defiance S10 needs about 19% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance S10 stands 32mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance S10 is 17mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance S10 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
25-200 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
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 |
338.1mm (13.3") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
342.9mm (13.5") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
425.5mm (16.8") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
15.74kg (34.6lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (25Hz vs 27Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Paradigm Defiance S10 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 200W 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W ASW610 is about 20% 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. |
| Warranty | A | Paradigm Defiance S10 carries 3 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 | B | B&W ASW610 costs less - $899 against $1,200, about 25% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance S10 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: Paradigm Defiance S10 measures better, B&W ASW610 costs about 25% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
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.