In this review, we will be comparing D15s and SW-15, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten D15s 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.Perlisten D15s and Wharfedale SW-15 have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D15s features x -inch drivers whereas the SW-15 features 1 x 15-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D15s has a frequency range of 20-320 Hz whereas SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the D15s can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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 Perlisten D15s 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.
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 D15s's and Wharfedale SW-15's external dimensions. Perlisten D15s has external dimensions of 528.1 x 500.1 x 500.1mm (20.79 x 19.69 x 19.69inch) 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).
Perlisten D15s is 41.9mm shorter and 114.9mm less deeper than Wharfedale SW-15 but it is also 7.1mm wider.
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 21% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale SW-15 is 115mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale SW-15 is 42mm 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 Perlisten D15s is approximately 2501.0cm2 / 387.7inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2. The D15s requires 18% 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 Perlisten D15s weighs 46.00kg / 101.2lbs and the Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs. This makes the D15s 46% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how D15s and SW-15's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
320 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
528mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2501cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
6595USD
|
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 21% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 115mm further into the room. Wharfedale SW-15 is 42mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten D15s |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-320 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
850-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
528.1mm (20.8") |
570.0mm (22.4") |
| Width |
500.1mm (19.7") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
500.1mm (19.7") |
615.0mm (24.2") |
| Weight |
46.00kg (101.2lbs) |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
Different price classes - Perlisten D15s costs roughly 5.5x what Wharfedale SW-15 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten D15s goes deeper - 20Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Perlisten D15s is about 24% 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 | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $6,595, about 82% less. |
A Perlisten D15s 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?
Perlisten D15s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 5.5x the price. Wharfedale SW-15 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $1,199 each, two Wharfedale SW-15 cost about $2,398 against $6,595 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.