In this review, we will be comparing Subsonic and DB4S, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wilson Audio 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic and B&W DB4S first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Wilson Audio Subsonic and B&W DB4S 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.Wilson Audio Subsonic and B&W DB4S have a totally different setup: the Wilson Audio Subsonic features 3 x 12-inch drivers whereas the DB4S features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Subsonic has a frequency range of 10-150 Hz whereas DB4S has a frequency range of 10-350 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic 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 B&W DB4S 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.
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 Wilson Audio Subsonic's and B&W DB4S's external dimensions. Wilson Audio Subsonic has external dimensions of 1653.0 x 459.0 x 691.0mm ( 65-1/16 x 18-1/16 x 27-3/16inch) whereas B&W DB4S has external dimensions of 375.0 x 362.0 x 434.0mm ( 14-3/4 x 14-1/4 x 17-1/16inch) .
Wilson Audio Subsonic is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 97mm wider, 1278mm taller and 257mm deeper than B&W DB4S.
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 Wilson Audio Subsonic is approximately 3171.7cm2 / 491.6inch2 and base area of the B&W DB4S is approximately 1571.1cm2 / 243.5inch2. The Subsonic requires 102% more surface area than the DB4S 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic weighs 229.00kg / 503.8lbs and the B&W DB4S weighs 26.05kg / 57.3lbs. This makes the Subsonic 779% heavier than the DB4S.
Here is a comparison of how Subsonic and DB4S's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
3
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
350k Hz
vs
150k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
375mm
vs
1653mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1571cm2
vs
3171cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
47250USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wilson Audio Subsonic |
Bowers & Wilkins DB4S |
| Brand |
Wilson Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
n/a |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
10-150 Hz |
10-350 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
0-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
3 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper pulp |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1653.0mm (65.1") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
459.0mm (18.1") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
691.0mm (27.2") |
434.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
229.00kg (503.8lbs) |
26.05kg (57.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |