In this review, we will be comparing iW 62TS and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Tannoy and Focal. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Tannoy iW 62TS and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo 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.Tannoy iW 62TS and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo have a totally different setup: the Tannoy iW 62TS features x -inch drivers whereas the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo features 1 x 13-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
iW 62TS has a frequency range of 29-110 Hz whereas Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has a frequency range of 22-500 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the iW 62TS's min frequency of 29Hz.
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
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
iW 62TS features Binding post type posts and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type
The Tannoy iW 62TS has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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 Tannoy iW 62TS's and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo's external dimensions. Tannoy iW 62TS has external dimensions of () whereas Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has external dimensions of 634.0 x 483.0 x 622.0mm (24-15/16 x 19 x 24-1/2inch).
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 483mm wider, 634mm taller and 622mm deeper than Tannoy iW 62TS.
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 Tannoy iW 62TS weighs 7.39kg / 16.3lbs and the Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo weighs 72.00kg / 158.4lbs. This makes the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo 874% heavier than the iW 62TS.
Here is a comparison of how iW 62TS and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
 Height |
0mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
3004cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
129USD
vs
20999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
22 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
500 Hz
vs
110 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Tannoy iW 62TS |
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo |
| Brand |
Tannoy |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
n/a |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
29-110 Hz |
22-500 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
W sandwich |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
110 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
mm (0") |
634.0mm (25") |
| Width |
mm (0") |
483.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
mm (0") |
622.0mm (24.5") |
| Weight |
7.39kg (16.3lbs) |
72.00kg (158.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
A ported 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 | B | Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo goes deeper - 22Hz against 29Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 29Hz. |
| Enclosure | depends | Tannoy iW 62TS is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo 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. |
| Price | A | Tannoy iW 62TS costs less - $129 against $20,999, about 99% less. |
A Tannoy iW 62TS B Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
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?
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 162.8x the price. Tannoy iW 62TS is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Tannoy iW 62TS will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo 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 $129 each, two Tannoy iW 62TS cost about $258 against $20,999 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.