In this review, we will be comparing Defiance V10 and SW-15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm and Wharfedale. 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 V10 and Wharfedale SW-15 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.Both Paradigm Defiance V10and Wharfedale SW-15 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm Defiance V10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Wharfedale SW-15 features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Defiance V10 has a frequency range of 29-200 Hz whereas SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the Defiance V10 can go slightly deeper then the SW-15's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 Paradigm Defiance V10 and Wharfedale SW-15 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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.
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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 V10's and Wharfedale SW-15's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance V10 has external dimensions of 397.0 x 362.0 x 435.0mm (15-5/8inch x 14-1/4inch x 17-1/8inch) whereas Wharfedale SW-15 has external dimensions of 570.0 x 493.0 x 615.0mm (22-7/16inch x 19-3/8inch x 24-3/16inch).
Wharfedale SW-15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 131mm wider, 173mm taller and 180mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance V10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance V10 and Wharfedale SW-15 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance V10 and Wharfedale SW-15 Size and External Dimensions
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 V10 is approximately 1574.7cm2 / 244.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2. The Defiance V10 requires 48% less surface area than the SW-15 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 Paradigm Defiance V10 weighs 15.23kg / 33.5lbs and the Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs. This makes the SW-15 107% heavier than the Defiance V10.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance V10 and SW-15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance V10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance V10:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
What's in the Box of Wharfedale SW-15?
Here are the items that come with the SW-15:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
397mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1574cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
679USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 93% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 180mm further into the room. Wharfedale SW-15 is 173mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance V10 |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
120 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29-200 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
397.0mm (15.6") |
570.0mm (22.4") |
| Width |
362.0mm (14.3") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
435.0mm (17.1") |
615.0mm (24.2") |
| Weight |
15.23kg (33.5lbs) |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (29Hz vs 30Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | Wharfedale SW-15 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 120W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Wharfedale SW-15 moves more air: 15" against 10" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Paradigm Defiance V10 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Paradigm Defiance V10 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm Defiance V10 is about 64% 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 | Paradigm Defiance V10 costs less - $679 against $1,199, about 43% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance V10 B Wharfedale SW-15
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?
Wharfedale SW-15 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 77% more. Paradigm Defiance V10 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance V10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $679 each, two Paradigm Defiance V10 cost about $1,358 against $1,199 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.