In this review, we will be comparing T 9x SE and ASW610, 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 T 9x SE and B&W ASW610 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 T 9x SEand B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
T 9x SE has a frequency range of 27-120 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz.
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 T 9x SE's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. REL T 9x SE has external dimensions of 344.5 x 371.5 x 465.1mm () whereas B&W ASW610 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 312.0 x 394.0mm (12-5/8 x 12-1/4 x 15-1/2inch).
REL T 9x SE is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 59.5mm wider, 23.5mm taller and 71.1mm deeper than B&W ASW610.
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 T 9x SE is approximately 1727.8cm2 / 267.8inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The T 9x SE requires 41% more surface area than the ASW610 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 T 9x SE weighs 20.64kg / 45.4lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the T 9x SE 64% heavier than the ASW610.
Here is a comparison of how T 9x SE and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
321mm
vs
344mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1229cm2
vs
1727cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1799USD
|
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.
REL T 9x SE needs about 41% more floor area. REL T 9x SE stands 71mm further into the room. REL T 9x SE is 24mm taller.
| General |
REL T 9x SE |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
REL |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-120 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| 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 |
344.5mm (13.6") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
371.5mm (14.6") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
465.1mm (18.3") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
20.64kg (45.4lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| 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 |
A passive radiator 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (27Hz vs 27Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | REL T 9x SE has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB 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 | depends | REL T 9x SE is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; B&W ASW610 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W ASW610 is about 34% 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 | REL T 9x SE 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 | B | B&W ASW610 costs less - $899 against $1,799, about 50% less. |
A REL T 9x SE B B&W ASW610
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?
The usual trade-off: REL T 9x SE measures better, B&W ASW610 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, REL T 9x SE will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, B&W ASW610 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 $899 each, two B&W ASW610 cost about $1,798 against $1,799 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.