In this review, we will be comparing MiniVee X and ASW608, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Velodyne 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 Velodyne MiniVee X 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.Velodyne MiniVee Xand B&W ASW608 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
MiniVee X has a frequency range of 32-180 Hz whereas ASW608 has a frequency range of 32-140 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 Velodyne MiniVee X's and B&W ASW608's external dimensions. Velodyne MiniVee X has external dimensions of 300 x 290 x 290 mm () 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 29mm narrower and 28mm shorter than Velodyne MiniVee X but it is also 60mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
B&W ASW608 needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. B&W ASW608 is 60mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Velodyne MiniVee X is 28mm 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 Velodyne MiniVee X is approximately 841.0cm2 / 130.4inch2 and base area of the B&W ASW608 is approximately 913.5cm2 / 141.6inch2. The MiniVee X requires 8% 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 Velodyne MiniVee X weighs 15.00kg / 33lbs and the B&W ASW608 weighs 8.86kg / 19.5lbs. This makes the MiniVee X 69% heavier than the ASW608.
Here is a comparison of how MiniVee X and ASW608's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
8" passive radiator, force-cancelling
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
| App-Based Control |
Auto EQ SUB (iOS, Android)
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Base Surface Area |
841cm2
vs
913cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
272mm
vs
300mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1299USD
|
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.
B&W ASW608 needs about 9% more floor area. B&W ASW608 stands 60mm further into the room. Velodyne MiniVee X is 28mm taller.
| General |
Velodyne MiniVee X |
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 |
| Brand |
Velodyne |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
32-180 Hz |
32-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
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 |
300.0mm (11.8") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
290.0mm (11.4") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
290.0mm (11.4") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Weight |
15.00kg (33lbs) |
8.86kg (19.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
High-gloss black, high-gloss white, or transparent acrylic |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
High-gloss black, high-gloss white, transparent acrylic (limited edition) |
n/a |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
5V/1A, powers the Wi-Connect II receiver only |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Velodyne MiniVee X costs roughly 2.2x what B&W ASW608 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (32Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Velodyne MiniVee X 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 | B | B&W ASW608 costs less - $599 against $1,299, about 54% less. |
A Velodyne MiniVee X 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?
Velodyne MiniVee X is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 117% more. B&W ASW608 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $599 each, two B&W ASW608 cost about $1,198 against $1,299 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.