profkaces

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Spearit Audio - Bost

Summary:
I was in the market for a subwoofer to complement my B&W System. I'm running two DM601-S3 in the front L/R, a LCR-60 in the center, and two DM303's in the rear. My interest was mainly to find a subwoofer capable of producing sounds in the low end spectrum (below 100 Hz) definitively and, more importantly, with clarity and precision. I was in search of a sub capable of fortifying the lower end of my front speakers, rather than exhibiting superfluous amounts of boom. With a sub-$700 budget, I considered products from HSU Research, Paradigm, B&W, and Aperion. Of course, I am so pleased with my other B&W products, I had no problem trusting them with an additional purchase. Also, I was able to go to a dealer and listen to the B&W subs, whereas HSU and Aperion deal solely on a mail-order basis.

I listened to both the ASW 600 and the ASW 650, not considering price, but mainly my medium room size, and my desire for a tight, accurate subwoofer. The ASW 650 did, in fact, sound deeper and fuller in the ultra low-end than the 600, but that wasn't what I was looking for. The ASW 600 reproduced the descending/ascending notes of a walking bass line like a champ, with no complaints, no blurry manipulation, or boombox colorations. Don't get me wrong, the 600 was still capable of slamming some low-end beats for the rap or rock fun, which was all the more encouraging.

So far, the ASW 600 has proven to be exactly what I was looking for. The ASW 600 is well-balanced, tight and accurate in represenatation, while packing enough punch for the boomy-bass enthusiast. If you're looking for a subwoofer to add to the clarity of your system, while not detracting from it, this is the perfect sub for you. If you're looking for unending amounts of sheer power, Ocean's 11 - Seth Green's "speakers so powerful, it'll blow her clothes off" - then you should probably invest your money elsewhere (maybe Sony or JBL?) where you can get more wattage for the buck. Then you can use the rest of your money to buy a lawnmower, since it's likely the neighbors won't kindly let you borrow theirs anymore.

Strengths:
Precision, Punch, Clarity, and Depth

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Price Paid:  $950.00 from Homezone Digital

Summary:
Auditioned many subs such as JBL PB10, Velodyne, Yamaha. Initially decided to purchase Yamaha 250W sub but dealership did not allow laybuys. This other dealer had other subs and after listening to various others I was too fed up about which sub sounded suitable. I decided to just buy the ASW600 because I liked the B&W300 series sub. The initial first day didn't blow me out, I was still thinking the Yamaha would have been a better sub coz it sounded really nice on my neighbours rig. After fine tuning and playing more often and listening to various DVD movies, its grown on me. In terms of low end bottom bass, it kills the Yamaha easily. I would advise purchases that your main speakers should carry upper bass and for stereo music. Don't expect the sub to fill up if you have teeny tin-can main speakers. The sub will produce lower bass but not fill the upper bass frequencies. For the purpose of delivering low bass for movies, this sub is the best and certainly very powerful. I could hear the loud bass down the corridor with the door shut!

Strengths:
Compact size, unobtrusive. Good looks and good quality build.

Weaknesses:
Weighty esp when you need to carry it up four flights of stairs. Slightly expensive but for its size, I think delivers very good bass compatible with a cheaper but bigger box.

Similar Products Used:
Auditioned many brands in different dealerships.

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Audio Den, L.I. NY

Summary:
I had two goals in selecting a sub- it had to be musical and it had to be free of the bloated, flatulent distortion a lot of subs put out during substained bass sequences (such as the opening scene of SW:Ep2 or the Kaazad Doom scene in Fellowship). I've been using the ASW600 for about a month now, and even though I'm sure it's not fully broken in, I've been extremely impressed with its performance. Sustained bass sequences, such as the ones listed above, are tight and smooth. It fills out the bottom end of music reproduction excellently as well (I use PSB Alpha Bs in front, with an Alpha C center and Alpha Minis in the rear, and a Denon AVR-1801 receiver). The handling of the LFE channel on the Metallica DVD-Audio was damn near immaculate. This unit has amplification to spare- I only have the volume turned to the nine o'clock position and it's as powerful as I need (albeit in a fairly small room- the room at the dealers was larger and it was more than adequate there as well). I use the Denon's crossover in all applications (shunts everything south of 80hz to the sub). It's a beautiful unit, and B&W is known for accurate performance specs... this unit is rated to 26hz -3dB and so far it's handled everything I can toss its way beautifully. Incidentally, I am using a $15 radio shack gold series sub cable with built-in Y adapter connection, and as I've said, it sounds mint. No need to spend $60 or more on audiophile cables. I am fully satisfied with its value and performance.

Strengths:
Tight, smooth bass, ample power, beautiful in the oak finish, has a crossover bypass, binding posts, and sounds great with music.

Weaknesses:
None that I've detected.

Similar Products Used:
Velodyne CT-80 Infinity BU-2 Def Tech 100TL

Price Paid:  $585.00 from Layton Audio

Summary:
There's not much that I can say that hasn't already been said here. I really do enjoy this sub. It really does fill out the sound in my system. I've tried using the crossover in the sub and from my sony receiver, i like the internal crossover more just because of the ease of adjustment. All in all I wouldn't go back on my purchase I got it for a great price, better then someone below who bought it from the same store in Montreal so I can't complain at all.

Strengths:
Front firing, closed box, real speaker terminals in the back, (not spring clamps) and you can link it to another sub via the line out.

Weaknesses:
Some say it is big, but if you have the room it's no trouble.

Similar Products Used:
Boston pv-600, and various Velodyne subs

Price Paid:  $600.00

Summary:
I had the 600 for about 2 months and traded it back for the 675, but I'm not so sure that was the best decision I have made recently. The 675 is much tighter and more responsive, especially in music, but less forgiving in placement and settings. Maybe I'll get it right with the 675 soon, but in retrospect the 600 was probably fine for me in both music and movies.

Strengths:
Value and response. For movie effects, it is more than you would ever need!

Weaknesses:
Size and weight!

Similar Products Used:
B&W AS675