In this review, we will be comparing SW-15 and Dynamo 400, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale and MartinLogan. 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 MartinLogan 400 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Wharfedale SW-15 and MartinLogan 400 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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 MartinLogan 400 have a single woofer setup however the Wharfedale SW-15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the MartinLogan 400 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas Dynamo 400 has a frequency range of 30-200 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
Cabinet Type
The Wharfedale SW-15 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 MartinLogan 400 have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 MartinLogan 400'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 MartinLogan 400 has external dimensions of 385.0 x 339.0 x 388.0mm ( 15-1/8 x 13-5/16 x 15-1/4inch) .
Wharfedale SW-15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 154mm wider, 185mm taller and 227mm deeper than MartinLogan 400.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale SW-15 and MartinLogan 400 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale SW-15 and MartinLogan 400 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 MartinLogan 400 is approximately 1315.3cm2 / 203.9inch2. The SW-15 requires 131% more surface area than the Dynamo 400 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 MartinLogan 400 weighs 12.95kg / 28.5lbs. This makes the SW-15 144% heavier than the Dynamo 400.
Here is a comparison of how SW-15 and Dynamo 400'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 subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cordUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 400?
Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 400:
Powered subwoofer6.5-feet AC power cordUser-feets Manual
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
200k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
385mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1315cm2 (339x388mm)
vs
3032cm2 (493x615mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
500USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
MartinLogan Dynamo 400 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
75 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
30-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
75-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
570.0mm (22.4") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Width |
493.0mm (19.4") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Depth |
615.0mm (24.2") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Weight |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
12.95kg (28.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |