In this review, we will be comparing SW-15 and HDI-1200P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale and JBL. 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 Wharfedale SW-15 and JBL HDI-1200P 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 Wharfedale SW-15and JBL HDI-1200P have a single woofer setup however the Wharfedale SW-15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the JBL HDI-1200P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas HDI-1200P has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the HDI-1200P can go slightly deeper then the SW-15's min frequency of 30Hz.
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
Cabinet Type
Both Wharfedale SW-15 and JBL HDI-1200P have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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.
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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 Wharfedale SW-15's and JBL HDI-1200P's external dimensions. Wharfedale SW-15 has external dimensions of 570.0 x 493.0 x 615.0mm (22-7/16inch x 19-3/8inch x 24-3/16inch) whereas JBL HDI-1200P has external dimensions of 480.0 x 412.0 x 493.0mm (18-7/8 x 16-3/16 x 19-3/8inch).
Wharfedale SW-15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 81mm wider, 90mm taller and 122mm deeper than JBL HDI-1200P.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale SW-15 and JBL HDI-1200P in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale SW-15 and JBL HDI-1200P Size and External Dimensions
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 Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-1200P is approximately 2031.2cm2 / 314.8inch2. The SW-15 requires 49% more surface area than the HDI-1200P which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs and the JBL HDI-1200P weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the HDI-1200P 2% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how SW-15 and HDI-1200P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale SW-15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SW-15:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
What's in the Box of JBL HDI-1200P?
Here are the items that come with the HDI-1200P:
- Powered Subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 16.5-feet Mono-RCA/Mono-Minijack cable
- 4 Spikes
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
2310USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
480mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2031cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 49% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 122mm further into the room. Wharfedale SW-15 is 90mm taller.
| General |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
JBL HDI-1200P |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Poly-plas |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
570.0mm (22.4") |
480.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
493.0mm (19.4") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Depth |
615.0mm (24.2") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Weight |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - JBL HDI-1200P costs roughly 1.9x what Wharfedale SW-15 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (30Hz vs 28Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL HDI-1200P has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 400W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Wharfedale SW-15 moves more air: 15" against 12" 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 ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | JBL HDI-1200P is about 44% 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. |
| Warranty | B | JBL HDI-1200P carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $2,310, about 48% less. |
A Wharfedale SW-15 B JBL HDI-1200P
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?
JBL HDI-1200P is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 93% more. Wharfedale SW-15 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 $1,199 each, two Wharfedale SW-15 cost about $2,398 against $2,310 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - JBL HDI-1200P 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.