B&W has done it again. They have built a wonderful product that continues to get better a time moves on. I have owned this sub for about two months now, and now that it is broken in, I am submitting my review. I replaced my Velodyne 1012X with the ASW 2000, and there is a tremendous difference. My system is equally divided between music and theatre, so my needs for a sub consisted of the following:
1. Regardless of HT or music, I needed a sub that would pick me up and slap me around. I wanted to feel and hear the bass, with resloution and accuracy.

2. I didn't want an extremely large box.

3. I wanted to stay around the $1000 price point.


1. The ASW2000 has meet all of these requirements and more. During music listening sessions, everything from John Coltrane to Lauryn Hill to Pearl Jam to Janet Jackson to BB King to all forms of classical, the ASW2000 has been extremely pleasing. (As you can see, I have extremely diverse tastes in my music.) Across all of these musical forms the ASW2000 fits the bill. Tonal accuracy, overall bass extension, resolution, and bass impact were not a problem. Even when I am watching network television, the subtle low end nuances are present. The same can be stated about Dolby Pro Logic and especially Dolby Digital. For HT, my old Velodyne would fill in the missing bass passages, the ASW2000 completes the overall sound experience and adds a distinct fullness to whatever I am watching. The launch sequence from Apollo 13, the speeder bike chase scene from Return of the Jedi, and the tremors from Jurassic Park, never FELT and sounded so good, and this was in Pro-Logic. In Dolby Digital, the difference is staggering. The racing scenes from Super Speedway, the diva scene from Fifth Element, and the opening scenes from Armageddeon, are a true experience. Not only is the bass filled with more impact, I can truly feel my pants leg quiver and move during movie scenes.

2. The box is slightly larger than average in size in comparison with other 12 inch subs.

3. I paid significantly less than the $1000 MSRP.

In summary, this is an excellent performing subwoofer. It is very accurate and resolved for a ported sub. In actuality it is tighter than some sealed enclosures. It delivers loud, deep bass across many musical formats and it adds a dramatic dimension to home theater. I also listened to the ASW1000 and enjoyed it, but its bigger brother the ASW2000 was a dramatic improvement. This a well-built, well-engineered sub that definitely requires a demostration. As B&W says, "Listen and You Will See." This sub gets a strong reccomendation.

Decent power for the $$

Gets muddy and colors the sound often if not adjusted properly

This sub was never one that I have intended to keep as my original purchase was to be a 3000 model. For a moment I thought I might keep it and save some$$ but after putting it really through it's paces it is nice but I find it lacking in some respects.

Coming off of a Marantz SR 8000

The good: Full sound, good ability to adjust. Great volume level. Sound Pressure Level great.

The bad: At very high listening levels the sub becomes directional due to popping and woofer not really able to handle what I'm pushing to it. Have to play with a combination of turning the gain down and adjusting the low pass filter to a lower level. A great demo Disc is "The Haunting"; try it on the scene where the bed comes around her; you can see what I'm talking about. Bought a Paradigm Servo 15 and ran it side by side for comparison with the B&W. Granted the Par. is a bit more costly and has bigger speaker and more watts but on the same passages the Par. handled with ease and no popping or distortion. Plus it drops to a lower Hz. However, in certain music passages I actually prefer the 2000 as it nicely fills the space between my Mains and the lower ranges. Now I'm thinking of keeping BOTH!!! However, if forced to make a choice I would return the B&W and keep the Paradigm. The Par is a bit tighter and more accurate as well. Also play deeper at lower volume levels.

Much depends on your room size, mine is rather large, 23 x 18; and how you choose to adjust the unit. I see the postings below discussing how you need to adjust between movies and music and I would agree with that.. Who knows, I may sell mine; let me know if interested. Would have loved that 3000 I'm sure!

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An update on the issue of 1000 vs. 2000: I did try the 2000 in my home theater room, and discovered that it reproduced lower bass and eliminated an occasional buzzy feel that I sometimes experienced with the 1000. I switched back and forth repeatedly while watching Predator, and discovered the 2000 made a big difference. As good as the 1000 was, the 2000 is that much more impressive. I moved the 1000 to my audio room and discovered that it did not make as big a difference there, because the bass is usually not so dominating on CDs as in home theater applications. I wish that I had two 2000s, but barring that I definitely recommend putting the better sub in your theater room, if you have to make a choice.

Gives physical experiences, good-looking, the bass spreads easily into walls, floors (and your body),works excellent with Dolby Digital, works well with music too.

Can turn muddy in some passages.

I've connected this subwoofer to my THX-certified amplifier(VSA-E06), and it works superb.

A negative side, which in fact is the only negative side I can think of, is that if you set the volume level to full, the bass might turn muddy in a few, I repeat a very few, passages. It's only happened five or six times and I've had this product for almost a year now.

What more can I say? It sure is a great sub and it even got an EISA-award in 1998-1999.

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cabinet, earth shattering clear bass

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After reviewing the product pages for a couple of weeks I payed very close attention to the bass response and have not experinced the muddy bass everyone is talking about. Perhaps, if you invest in a good quality cable that costs more than $10.00 you may see some improvements. I happen to use Transparents land line cable. Also subwoofers are not a good alternative for speakers who have no bottom end.
As for my personal experience with this sub I am very pleased with the level and clarity of bass. For the price the sound quality is great. One needs to realize this is not a $2500. vandersteen sub which is more crisp but has no where near the bottom line a sub for home theater needs.
I picked this sub up for under $800. and with the reputation B&W has I have no complaints.

Home Theater Speakers
B&W 603 S2 front
B&W lcr6 S2 center
B&W 601 S2 rear
Sony DA777ES receiver

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Slam, Depth and Precision

My parents!

Will conventional loudspeaker technology limit your surround-sound system?

Hi, my name is Andy. I am 17 year old student from Denmark. I just found this page and thought that I would submit a review for some of my equipment.

My system:

B&W DM604 S2 (front)
B&W LCR6 S2 (center)
B&W DM602S2 (rear)
B&W ASW2000 (subwoofer)
YAMAHA RX-V795a (receiver)
Metz DE-81 (DVD-player)

I use TaraLabs for the speakers and DVD and Ixos for the sub.

Bought most of my equipment at the Danish high-end store the Hi-Fi Club, simply love that store.

How should I start my review?: If you really wan’t to feel the ,1 channel chose this baby.

The ASW2000 woofer from B&W is made squarely for home theatre setup. And with a price of $900 it should be in reach for many people.

Compared to subwoofers from other brands, the ASW2000 looks like one “bad m..... f.....”. It has a 12inch driver and features the breath taking Flow Port technology. It is a down-firing bass port system. The port has many small pits, as the surface of golf ball. Indeed, the complex laws of aerodynamics that make a golf ball slice thorough the air and travel further distances have been applied to this woofer. The frequency response from this unit is 22 to 140Hz +/- 3dB.

If you don’t have a subwoofer from B&W with the flow port technology, you really miss something in your home theatre! It pumps out more deep bass than should be allowed.

In music it moves the hole house, the crossover is set to 35Hz, so that it can take over when my front speakers can’t go any deeper. In this way it only plays deep bass, like it supposed to, and you don’t really hear it you only feel it in your stomach. Yeahhhhh!!!

In can’t please this subwoofer enough, definitely 5 stars!!!

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The hole B&W ASW line!

A good solid bass.More than enough power.

My neighbours.

Hi, i'm martin from holland.
I have the sub now for a few weeks and it;s a great subwoofer. i'm a big fan of dvd movies and this is a great update to my set.
i use MAGNAT VINTAGE 550 MAIN SPEAKERS.
MAGNAT VINTAGE 510 REAR SPEAKERS.
MAGNAT VINTAGE 500 CENTER SPEAKER.
And a yamaha DSP-A 1092 amp..
I've listend to the movie THE HUANTING and my whole house whas shaking,and my neighbour whas not happy whit it :-((
So iam must confugurate my speaker to a nicer level.

But anyway; iam very happy whit the sub and it is a new expirience to whatch dvd.

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It is too bad that B&W has discontinued this sub. I had to settle for the ASW1000. Now I'm thinking I should have gone with the new ASW2500 that is a 10" high amp tighter base. They are trying to copy some of the other high amp subs. I have complained to B&W to bring back the ASW2000 and to add a 12 inch line to the high amp. Do any of you agree?

Can someone please start a ASW2500 review?