In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB100 and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 and B&W DB4S 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.Q Acoustics Q SUB100and B&W DB4S have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Q SUB100 has a frequency range of 32-250 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the DB4S can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Q SUB100'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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 has a Infinite Baffle type cabinet. On the other hand the B&W DB4S 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Q Acoustics Q SUB100 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 350.0 x 382.0mm (13-3/4 x 13-3/4 x 15-1/16inch) whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm (14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch).
B&W DB4S is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 12mm wider, 25mm taller and 52mm deeper than Q Acoustics Q SUB100.
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.
B&W DB4S needs about 18% more floor or shelf area. B&W DB4S is 52mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. B&W DB4S is 25mm 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is approximately 1337.0cm2 / 207.2inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The Q SUB100 requires 15% less surface area than the DB4S 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 weighs 16.70kg / 36.7lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 56% heavier than the Q SUB100.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB100 and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
350mm
vs
375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1337cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
699USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350 Hz
vs
250 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
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.
B&W DB4S needs about 18% more floor area. B&W DB4S stands 52mm further into the room. B&W DB4S is 25mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB100 |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-250 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
350.0mm (13.8") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
350.0mm (13.8") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
382.0mm (15") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
16.70kg (36.7lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W DB4S costs roughly 3.1x what Q Acoustics Q SUB100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | B&W DB4S goes deeper - 10Hz against 32Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | B&W DB4S has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 250W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is about 21% 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. |
| Warranty | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 costs less - $699 against $2,199, about 68% less. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB100 B B&W DB4S
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?
B&W DB4S is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 3.1x the price. Q Acoustics Q SUB100 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 $699 each, two Q Acoustics Q SUB100 cost about $1,398 against $2,199 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.