In this review, we will be comparing AMBEO Sub and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Sennheiser 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub 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.Sennheiser AMBEO Suband B&W ASW608 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
AMBEO Sub has a frequency range of 27-80 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the AMBEO Sub 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
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub has external dimensions of 366.7 x 269.9 x 269.9mm () 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).
B&W ASW608 is 8.9mm narrower and 94.7mm shorter than Sennheiser AMBEO Sub but it is also 80.1mm deeper.
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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is approximately 728.5cm2 / 112.9inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The AMBEO Sub requires 20% less surface area than the ASW608 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub weighs 8.16kg / 18lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the ASW608 9% heavier than the AMBEO Sub.
Here is a comparison of how AMBEO Sub and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
728cm2
vs
913cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
272mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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 ASW608 needs about 25% more floor area. B&W ASW608 stands 80mm further into the room. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is 95mm taller.
| General |
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Sennheiser |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-80 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| 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 |
366.7mm (14.4") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
269.9mm (10.6") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
269.9mm (10.6") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub goes deeper - 27Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub has the bigger amplifier - 350W against 200W RMS, about 2.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | A | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub costs less - $500 against $599, about 17% less. |
A Sennheiser AMBEO Sub B B&W ASW608
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?
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take B&W ASW608 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room.
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.