In this review, we will be comparing R18s 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 R18s 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 R18s and Wharfedale SW-15 have a totally different setup: the Perlisten R18s features x -inch drivers whereas the SW-15 features 1 x 15-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
R18s has a frequency range of 20-288 Hz whereas SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the R18s 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 R18s 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 R18s's and Wharfedale SW-15's external dimensions. Perlisten R18s has external dimensions of 618.0 x 570.0 x 575.0mm () 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 77mm narrower and 48mm shorter than Perlisten R18s but it is also 40mm deeper.
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 8% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale SW-15 is 40mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten R18s is 48mm 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 R18s is approximately 3277.5cm2 / 508.0inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2. The R18s requires 8% more surface area than the SW-15 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 Perlisten R18s weighs 57.30kg / 126.1lbs and the Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs. This makes the R18s 82% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how R18s 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 |
288 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
570mm
vs
618mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3032cm2
vs
3277cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
5495USD
|
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.
Perlisten R18s needs about 8% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 40mm further into the room. Perlisten R18s is 48mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten R18s |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-288 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 |
618.0mm (24.3") |
570.0mm (22.4") |
| Width |
570.0mm (22.4") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Depth |
575.0mm (22.6") |
615.0mm (24.2") |
| Weight |
57.30kg (126.1lbs) |
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 R18s costs roughly 4.6x what Wharfedale SW-15 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten R18s 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. |
| Price | B | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $5,495, about 78% less. |
A Perlisten R18s 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 R18s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 4.6x 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 $5,495 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.