In this review, we will be comparing SW-15 and PSW125, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale and Polk Audio. 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 Polk PSW125 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 Polk PSW125 have a single woofer setup however the Wharfedale SW-15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Polk PSW125 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas PSW125 has a frequency range of 32-225 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the SW-15 can go slightly deeper then the PSW125's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 Polk PSW125 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 Polk PSW125'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 Polk PSW125 has external dimensions of 424.0 x 413.0 x 520.0mm (16-11/16 x 16-1/4 x 20-7/16inch).
Wharfedale SW-15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 80mm wider, 146mm taller and 95mm deeper than Polk PSW125.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale SW-15 and Polk PSW125 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale SW-15 and Polk PSW125 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 Polk PSW125 is approximately 2147.6cm2 / 332.9inch2. The SW-15 requires 41% more surface area than the PSW125 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 Polk PSW125 weighs 18.23kg / 40.1lbs. This makes the SW-15 73% heavier than the PSW125.
Here is a comparison of how SW-15 and PSW125'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 Polk PSW125?
Here are the items that come with the PSW125:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 8-feet Detachable power cord
- 4 Rubber insert feet
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
- Rubber feet installation diagram
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
225 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
424mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2147cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
1199USD
|
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.
Wharfedale SW-15 needs about 41% more floor area. Wharfedale SW-15 stands 95mm further into the room. Wharfedale SW-15 is 146mm taller.
| General |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
Polk Audio PSW125 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
32-225 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
DB Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
570.0mm (22.4") |
424.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
493.0mm (19.4") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Depth |
615.0mm (24.2") |
520.0mm (20.5") |
| Weight |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
18.23kg (40.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Different price classes - Wharfedale SW-15 costs roughly 3.4x what Polk PSW125 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 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Wharfedale SW-15 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 150W RMS, about 4.3dB 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Polk PSW125 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Polk PSW125 is about 47% 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. |
| Price | B | Polk PSW125 costs less - $349 against $1,199, about 71% less. |
A Wharfedale SW-15 B Polk PSW125
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?
Wharfedale SW-15 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 3.4x the price. Polk PSW125 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk PSW125 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $349 each, two Polk PSW125 cost about $698 against $1,199 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.