In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT10 and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio 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 Polk Monitor XT10 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.Both Polk Monitor XT10and B&W ASW608 have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the B&W ASW608 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT10 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT10 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 Polk Monitor XT10 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 Polk Monitor XT10's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT10 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 302.0 x 422.0mm (15-11/16 x 11-7/8 x 16-5/8inch) 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).
Polk Monitor XT10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 41mm wider, 127mm taller and 72mm deeper than B&W ASW608.
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.
Polk Monitor XT10 needs about 40% more floor or shelf area. Polk Monitor XT10 is 72mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Monitor XT10 is 127mm 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 Polk Monitor XT10 is approximately 1274.4cm2 / 197.5inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The Monitor XT10 requires 40% more surface area than the ASW608 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.