Subwoofers — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) DB1D

The DB1D is the top model of the DB Series of active subwoofers from Bowers & Wilkins, a range launched in September 2017 as a successor to the earlier DB-1. At launch the series had three models, with the DB1D priced at GBP 4,150, and the current British list price is GBP 4,600. The company described it at the time as the most powerful active subwoofer it had ever built, and it was designed as a bass companion for the 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers.

Key specs that matter

Two 300 mm Aerofoil cone drivers work in an opposed, balanced layout and are driven by a 2000 W Class D amplifier module from Hypex. Bowers & Wilkins quotes response of 10 Hz to 350 Hz at -3 dB, referenced to the level at 100 Hz, and 8.5 Hz to 500 Hz at -6 dB. The cabinet measures 460 mm high, 429 mm wide and 410 mm deep, with a net mass of 43 kg. Finishes are Gloss Black, Satin White and Rosenut, with fabric grilles in black or grey.

Engineering and use context

With the pair of drivers facing sideways and moving in opposite directions, their reaction forces largely cancel, which keeps cabinet vibration low. The Aerofoil cone technology was carried over from the 800 Series Diamond. A digital preamplifier stage provides Dynamic EQ, and all setup is done only through the DB Subwoofers app over Bluetooth Low Energy on iOS or Android, with no separate microphone required. The app offers Flat, Music and Movie input presets plus a Custom mode with a five-band parametric equaliser, and it sets stereo or LFE operation, input gain, low-pass frequency, a four-step phase control and a choice of 12 dB or 24 dB filter slopes. The rear panel carries two XLR and two RCA inputs, two 3.5 mm 12 V trigger jacks - the first for power and the second for input selection - and a nine-pin RS-232 port for home automation. The unit drops into standby after 20 minutes without signal. Supplied feet include spikes for carpet, decoupling feet for suspended wooden floors and rubber feet for hard floors, and the grilles attach magnetically.

Pairing

For two-channel use the low-pass point is set to meet the bass extension of the main speakers, which suits large floorstanders from the 800 Series Diamond. In a home cinema the LFE mode takes the subwoofer output of an AV processor or receiver, and the two input pairs allow a music system and a cinema processor to share one subwoofer.

Alternatives

The Bowers & Wilkins DB2D uses the 10-inch drivers of the 800 D4 range with a 1000 W amplifier in a smaller cabinet.