In this review, we will be comparing AMBEO Sub and ASW610, 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 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.Both Sennheiser AMBEO Suband B&W ASW610 have a single woofer setup however the Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's woofer is 8-inch whereas the B&W ASW610 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
AMBEO Sub has a frequency range of 27-80 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub's and B&W ASW610's external dimensions. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub has external dimensions of 366.7 x 269.9 x 269.9mm () 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).
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is 42.1mm narrower and 124.1mm less deeper than B&W ASW610 but it is also 45.7mm 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 Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is approximately 728.5cm2 / 112.9inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW610 is approximately 1229.3cm2 / 190.5inch2. The AMBEO Sub requires 41% less surface area than the ASW610 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 ASW610 weighs 12.55kg / 27.6lbs. This makes the ASW610 54% heavier than the AMBEO Sub.
Here is a comparison of how AMBEO Sub and ASW610's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
728cm2
vs
1229cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
321mm
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 ASW610 needs about 69% more floor area. B&W ASW610 stands 124mm further into the room. Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is 46mm taller.
| General |
Sennheiser AMBEO Sub |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 |
| Brand |
Sennheiser |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-80 Hz |
27-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
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 |
366.7mm (14.4") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Width |
269.9mm (10.6") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Depth |
269.9mm (10.6") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Weight |
8.16kg (18lbs) |
12.55kg (27.6lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - B&W ASW610 costs roughly 1.8x what Sennheiser AMBEO Sub does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (27Hz vs 27Hz). |
| 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 | B | B&W ASW610 moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is about 32% 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. |
| Price | A | Sennheiser AMBEO Sub costs less - $500 against $899, about 44% less. |
A Sennheiser AMBEO Sub 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. 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 $500 each, two Sennheiser AMBEO Sub cost about $1,000 against $899 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Sennheiser AMBEO Sub is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.