In this review, we will be comparing Performa3 B110v2 and ASW610, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Revel 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 Revel Performa3 B110v2 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.Revel Performa3 B110v2and B&W ASW610 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Performa3 B110v2 has a frequency range of 34-150 Hz whereas ASW610 has a frequency range of 27-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the ASW610 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Performa3 B110v2's min frequency of 34Hz.
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 Revel Performa3 B110v2 and B&W ASW610 have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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 Revel Performa3 B110v2's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. Revel Performa3 B110v2 has external dimensions of 429.0 x 364.0 x 393.0mm (16-7/8inch x 14-5/16inch x 15-7/16inch) 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).
B&W ASW610 is 52mm narrower and 108mm shorter than Revel Performa3 B110v2 but it is also 1mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Revel Performa3 B110v2 and B&W ASW610 in scale.
Comparison image of Revel Performa3 B110v2 and B&W ASW610 Size and External Dimensions
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 Revel Performa3 B110v2 is approximately 1430.5cm2 / 221.7inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The Performa3 B110v2 requires 16% 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 Revel Performa3 B110v2 weighs 24.45kg / 53.8lbs and the B&W ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the Performa3 B110v2 95% heavier than the ASW610.
Here is a comparison of how Performa3 B110v2 and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Revel Performa3 B110v2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Performa3 B110v2:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
What's in the Box of B&W ASW610?
Here are the items that come with the ASW610:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
321mm
vs
429mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1229cm2
vs
1430cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1925USD
|
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.
Revel Performa3 B110v2 needs about 16% more floor area. Revel Performa3 B110v2 is 108mm taller.
| General |
Revel Performa3 B110v2 |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
34-150 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Coated Paper/Pulp |
Paper/Aramid Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
429.0mm (16.9") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
364.0mm (14.3") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
393.0mm (15.5") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
24.45kg (53.8lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
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 - Revel Performa3 B110v2 costs roughly 2.1x what B&W ASW610 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | B&W ASW610 goes deeper - 27Hz against 34Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 34Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Revel Performa3 B110v2 has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 200W RMS, about 7dB 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | B&W ASW610 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | B&W ASW610 is about 36% 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 | Revel Performa3 B110v2 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 | B | B&W ASW610 costs less - $899 against $1,925, about 53% less. |
A Revel Performa3 B110v2 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, B&W ASW610 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $1,925 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.