In this review, we will be comparing NS-SW100 and A100P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Yamaha 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 Yamaha NS-SW100 and JBL Stage A100P 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.Yamaha NS-SW100and JBL Stage A100P have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
NS-SW100 has a frequency range of 25-180 Hz whereas A100P has a frequency range of 35-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the NS-SW100 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A100P's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 Yamaha NS-SW100 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 JBL Stage A100P have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 Yamaha NS-SW100's and JBL Stage A100P's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-SW100 has external dimensions of 352.4 x 352.4 x 409.6mm (13.875 x 13.875 x 16.125inch) whereas JBL Stage A100P has external dimensions of 359.0 x 337.0 x 435.0mm (14-1/8 x 13-1/4 x 17-1/8inch).
Yamaha NS-SW100 is 6.6mm shorter and 25.4mm less deeper than JBL Stage A100P but it is also 15.4mm wider.
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 Yamaha NS-SW100 is approximately 1443.4cm2 / 223.7inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A100P is approximately 1466.0cm2 / 227.2inch2. The NS-SW100 requires 2% less surface area than the A100P which gives it a small advantage 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 Yamaha NS-SW100 weighs 12.02kg / 26.4lbs and the JBL Stage A100P weighs 13.66kg / 30.1lbs. This makes the A100P 14% heavier than the NS-SW100.
Here is a comparison of how NS-SW100 and A100P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
352mm
vs
359mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1443cm2
vs
1466cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
240USD
vs
270USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. JBL Stage A100P stands 25mm further into the room.
| General |
Yamaha NS-SW100 |
JBL Stage A100P |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-180 Hz |
35-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
352.4mm (13.9") |
359.0mm (14.1") |
| Width |
352.4mm (13.9") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Depth |
409.6mm (16.1") |
435.0mm (17.1") |
| Weight |
12.02kg (26.4lbs) |
13.66kg (30.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
|
1 Year |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Yamaha NS-SW100 goes deeper - 25Hz against 35Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL Stage A100P has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 50W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | B | JBL Stage A100P costs less - $240 against $270, about 11% less. |
A Yamaha NS-SW100 B JBL Stage A100P
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.