In this review, we will be comparing R18is In Wall and ASW608, 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 R18is In Wall and B&W ASW608 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 R18is In Wall and B&W ASW608 have a totally different setup: the Perlisten R18is In Wall features x -inch drivers whereas the ASW608 features 1 x 8-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
R18is In Wall has a frequency range of 20-280 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the R18is In Wall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ASW608's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 R18is In Wall 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 ASW608 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 R18is In Wall's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Perlisten R18is In Wall has external dimensions of () whereas B&W ASW608 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 261.0 x 350.0mm (10-11/16 x 10-1/4 x 13-3/4inch).
B&W ASW608 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 261mm wider, 272mm taller and 350mm deeper than Perlisten R18is In Wall.
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 R18is In Wall weighs 68.90kg / 151.6lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the R18is In Wall 678% heavier than the ASW608.
Here is a comparison of how R18is In Wall and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
0mm
vs
272mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
913cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
5995USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Perlisten R18is In Wall |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-280 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
8" |
| 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 |
mm (0") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
mm (0") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
mm (0") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
68.90kg (151.6lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten R18is In Wall goes deeper - 20Hz against 32Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | depends | Perlisten R18is In Wall is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; B&W ASW608 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Price | B | B&W ASW608 costs less - $599 against $5,995, about 90% less. |
A Perlisten R18is In Wall B B&W ASW608
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 R18is In Wall is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 10x the price. B&W ASW608 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Perlisten R18is In Wall will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, B&W ASW608 is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $599 each, two B&W ASW608 cost about $1,198 against $5,995 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.