In this review, we will be comparing iW 62TS and DWM, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Tannoy and Magnepan. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Tannoy iW 62TS and Magnepan DWM 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 62TSand Magnepan DWM have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have x " drivers.
Frequency Response
iW 62TS has a frequency range of 29-110 Hz whereas DWM has a frequency range of 40-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the iW 62TS can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DWM's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
Impedance and Sensitivity
iW 62TS is a 8 ohms speaker compared to DWM which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. iW 62TS sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and DWM's is at 86 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the Tannoy iW 62TS a more sensitive speaker compared to Magnepan DWM, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Subwoofer Speakers
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 Magnepan DWM have Dipole type enclosure.
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 Magnepan DWM's external dimensions. Tannoy iW 62TS has external dimensions of () whereas Magnepan DWM has external dimensions of 489.0 x 571.5 x 31.8mm (19.25 x 22.5 x 1.25inch).
Magnepan DWM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 571.5mm wider, 489mm taller and 31.8mm 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 Magnepan DWM weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs. This makes the DWM 17% heavier than the iW 62TS.
Here is a comparison of how iW 62TS and DWM's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Driver Setup |
1-way
vs
-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
0mm
vs
489mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
0cm2
vs
181cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
129USD
vs
1295USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
110 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Tannoy iW 62TS |
Magnepan DWM |
| Brand |
Tannoy |
Magnepan |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
29-110 Hz |
40-200 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
|
| Woofer Size |
" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
110 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
mm (0") |
489.0mm (19.3") |
| Width |
mm (0") |
571.5mm (22.5") |
| Depth |
mm (0") |
31.8mm (1.3") |
| Weight |
7.39kg (16.3lbs) |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Dipole |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
A ported subwoofer against a dipole 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 | A | Tannoy iW 62TS goes deeper - 29Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| 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; Magnepan DWM is dipole - a dipole cancels to the sides and excites room modes less, but needs far more power. 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 $1,295, about 90% less. |
A Tannoy iW 62TS B Magnepan DWM
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?
Tannoy iW 62TS has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $1,295 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.