In this review, we will be comparing D12s and DB3D, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten D12s and B&W DB3D 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.
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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.Perlisten D12s and B&W DB3D have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D12s features x -inch drivers whereas the DB3D features 2 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D12s has a frequency range of 20-289 Hz whereas DB3D has a frequency range of 10-350Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB3D can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the D12s's min frequency of 20Hz.
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 Perlisten D12s has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the B&W DB3D 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
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 Perlisten D12s's and B&W DB3D's external dimensions. Perlisten D12s has external dimensions of 448.1 x 420.1 x 450.1mm (17.64 x 16.54 x 17.72inch) whereas B&W DB3D has external dimensions of ().
Perlisten D12s is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 78.8mm wider, 79.8mm taller and 102.4mm deeper than B&W DB3D.
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 Perlisten D12s weighs 41.00kg / 90.2lbs and the B&W DB3D weighs 25.05kg / 55.1lbs. This makes the D12s 64% heavier than the DB3D.
Here is a comparison of how D12s and DB3D's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
289k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
368mm
vs
448mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
1890cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3499USD
vs
5495USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Perlisten D12s |
Bowers & Wilkins DB3D |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-289 Hz |
10-350Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
448.1mm (17.6") |
368.3mm (14.5") |
| Width |
420.1mm (16.5") |
341.3mm (13.4") |
| Depth |
450.1mm (17.7") |
347.7mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
41.00kg (90.2lbs) |
25.05kg (55.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |