In this review, we will be comparing HT 1003 MKII and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from REL 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 REL HT 1003 MKII 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.REL HT 1003 MKIIand B&W DB4S have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
HT 1003 MKII has a frequency range of 24-200 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 HT 1003 MKII's min frequency of 24Hz.
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
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 REL HT 1003 MKII's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. REL HT 1003 MKII has external dimensions of 341.3 x 365.1 x 435.0mm () 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 3.1mm narrower and 1mm less deeper than REL HT 1003 MKII but it is also 33.7mm 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 REL HT 1003 MKII is approximately 1588.2cm2 / 246.2inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The HT 1003 MKII requires 1% more surface area than the DB4S 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 REL HT 1003 MKII weighs 15.51kg / 34.1lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the DB4S 68% heavier than the HT 1003 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how HT 1003 MKII and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
341mm
vs
375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
649USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
350 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
1571cm2
vs
1588cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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.
Near-identical footprints. B&W DB4S is 34mm taller.
| General |
REL HT 1003 MKII |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
REL |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-200 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
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 |
341.3mm (13.4") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
365.1mm (14.4") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
435.0mm (17.1") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
15.51kg (34.1lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - B&W DB4S costs roughly 3.4x what REL HT 1003 MKII 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 24Hz. 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 300W RMS, about 5.2dB 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. |
| Warranty | A | REL HT 1003 MKII carries 3 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 | REL HT 1003 MKII costs less - $649 against $2,199, about 70% less. |
A REL HT 1003 MKII 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 3.4x the price. REL HT 1003 MKII 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 $649 each, two REL HT 1003 MKII cost about $1,298 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.