Subwoofer Reviews

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact size
Deep, clean bass
Easy to set up and adjust
Available in three finishes

Minus
High price
One sub might not be powerful enough for large rooms

THE VERDICT
The Bowers & Wilkins DB3D is an excellent choice for those who want a compact subwoofer with powerful performance. Its high price may be a deterrent for some, but its features and performance make it worth the investment.

In the realm of high-fidelity audio, the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D subwoofer offers a fusion of compact design and powerful performance. Priced at a premium $3,499, this subwoofer is a statement piece that offers performance to match Bowers and Wilkins speakers like the 700 Series S3 models used in this review.

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rock solid build quality
Full featured, intuitive app
Tiny size and stylish appearance make it very decor friendly
Minus
Amp gets warm when pushed
On the expensive side
Warranty is only 1 year (*see update in the Impressions section)

THE VERDICT
A little powerhouse of a subwoofer, despite its diminutive stature the ELAC DS1200 comes ready to play. The compact size does take away a little from the lowest octave, but its fidelity and unflappable nature easily make up for that.

When you hear the name ELAC, do you immediately think of subwoofers? Speakers yes, but probably not subwoofers. Did you know they currently sell 9 different models? What I have in front of me is their top-of-the-line; the Varro Dual Reference Series 12" subwoofer, or DS1200 for short. That’s a big name for a small sub, calling it “reference series” adds some expectations too. Can it can live up to those?

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Tight and fast bass response
Adjustable tuning controls via handy app
Frees up floor space
Minus
Installation limitations based on room construction
In-wall convenience comes with a steep price

THE VERDICT
The SVS 3000 In-Wall subwoofer is a powerful and customizable high-end subwoofer that delivers impactful bass without taking up any floor space.

Renowned for its expertise in crafting high-performance subwoofers, SVS has carved a niche for itself within the home theater and music system communities. Established in 1998 by a team of passionate audio enthusiasts their mission was to revolutionize the subwoofer market by delivering exceptional performance that exceeded existing offerings.

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact design
Plenty of output above 35 Hertz
Very musical
Minus
Tepid output below 27 Hz
Limited controls and no app support

THE VERDICT If music is your main passion, you'll love what the ForceField 40 brings to the table, but movie lovers searching for foundation-shaking bass may want to look elsewhere.

As longtime readers of Sound & Vision know, I have a passion for bass. Some might say I need to seek professional help in this regard—well, at least that's what my wife tells me! I've reviewed products for nearly 20 years and had dozens of subwoofers in and out of my theater during that time, and I am generally easy to please. Surprisingly, in all that time, I've never had the pleasure of reviewing anything from GoldenEar, even though the company boasts a broad line of loudspeakers and subwoofers. Well, the time has finally come.

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Most affordable Sonos subwoofer
Compact, attractive
Controlled, restrained bass response
Minus
No Trueplay for Android
Fixed crossover
Only useable in the Sonos ecosystem

THE VERDICT
The Sonos Sub Mini is a great way (albeit, one of only two ways) to add deep bass to a Sonos soundbar or speaker in a small listening room. Considering that Sonos is a closed system, the Sub Mini only works with Sonos products, and Sonos products will only work with Sonos subwoofers. While not exactly a budget item, it's the most affordable subwoofer in the Sonos ecosystem.

What is the number one complaint about almost every soundbar? Let’s say it together: lack of deep bass. Even soundbars as sonically competent as the Sonos Beam and Ray could benefit from more. So here comes the Sonos Sub Mini (MSRP $429), a compact subwoofer that perfectly bonds with all of the non-portable, amplified Sonos products. It should be noted that while the Sub Mini will work with the larger Arc soundbar, Sonos recommends using that configuration only in a smaller room and at low-to-moderate listening levels. Fair enough.

R5t Tower
Performance
Build Quality
Value

D15s Subwoofer
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clean, uncolored sound (R5t)
Surprisingly powerful bass (R5t)
Excellent build quality (R5t)
Stunningly dynamic performance (D15s)
Excellent build quality (D15s)
Minus
Pricey (both)
Not the best option for very large rooms (R5t)

THE VERDICT
Perlisten Audio's R5t towers and D15s subwoofer offer stunning performance and good looks, but in this case the great sound and build quality will cost you.

Even the most veteran A/V enthusiast is unlikely to have heard of Perlisten (short for Perceptual Listening) Audio, but that situation should soon change. Founded by a group of audio industry veterans, the company was formally launched in 2021. For a new speaker outfit, the number of Perlisten models is astonishingly long and encompasses towers, standmounts, center and surround speakers, in-walls, and subwoofers, all of them engineered in the U.S. and manufactured in China.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Powerful output
Intelligent Phase Control allows for precise alignment with main speakers
Useful remote control
Minus
Large size makes optimal placement difficult
No custom EQ options

THE VERDICT
Definitive Technology flagship subwoofer delivers extended bass and impressive output, but lacks the app-based custom EQ controls found on many other models.

Watching a movie at home is one of the things I always look forward to when coming back off the road from a long business trip. My home theater has evolved over the years from a modest 5.1-channel setup with a rear-projection TV into a system I never dreamed I'd attain: a JVC RS2000 4K projector, 110-inch Stewart FireHawk scope screen, and a full Dolby Atmos speaker system brought to life by a Trinnov Altitude 16 processor and ATI N-Core amps. I truly am living the home theater dream.