In this review, we will be comparing SW-15 and SB16-Ultra, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale and SVS. 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 SVS SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra have a single woofer setup however the Wharfedale SW-15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the SVS SB16-Ultra features a 16-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas SB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 16-460 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the SB16-Ultra can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
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 SVS SB16-Ultra have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs.
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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 SVS SB16-Ultra'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 SVS SB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 508.0 x 496.0 x 512.0mm ( 20 x 19-1/2 x 20-1/8inch) .
SVS SB16-Ultra is 62mm shorter and 103mm less deeper than Wharfedale SW-15 but it is also 3mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale SW-15 and SVS SB16-Ultra in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale SW-15 and SVS SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra is approximately 2539.5cm2 / 393.6inch2. The SW-15 requires 19% more surface area than the SB16-Ultra 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 SVS SB16-Ultra weighs 55.45kg / 122lbs. This makes the SB16-Ultra 76% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how SW-15 and SB16-Ultra'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 SVS SB16-Ultra?
Here are the items that come with the SB16-Ultra:
Powered subwooferGrille8-feet AC power cordRemote controlOwners Manual
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
15 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
460k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
508mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2539cm2 (496x512mm)
vs
3032cm2 (493x615mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
SVS SB16-Ultra |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
1500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
16-460 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
1500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
16" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Composite fiberglass/resin |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
570.0mm (22.4") |
508.0mm (20") |
| Width |
493.0mm (19.4") |
496.0mm (19.5") |
| Depth |
615.0mm (24.2") |
512.0mm (20.2") |
| Weight |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
55.45kg (122lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
5 Years |