Subwoofers — VAF Research MPB SW4 MKII

The MPB SW4 MKII is a compact powered subwoofer from VAF Research, the Adelaide loudspeaker maker established in 1978 by Philip Vafiadis. It is handmade in Adelaide, South Australia, and VAF makes every unit only after an order is placed, quoting about 12 weeks of waiting. The Australian price is AUD 1,799 per unit, which places it between the smaller MPB SW2 and the Gravitas 12 in the current VAF subwoofer range, with the Platform furniture subwoofer as a separate option.

Key specs that matter

A single 260 mm (10 inch) woofer works in a bass reflex cabinet driven by a 300 W digital amplifier. VAF gives an overall frequency range of 23 Hz to 250 Hz, and a tighter response figure of 26 Hz to 170 Hz within plus or minus 2.5 dB. The enclosure is 340 mm wide, 360 mm high and 400 mm deep, and each subwoofer weighs 15 kg. Standard finishes are Decor Black and Decor White, and other colours can be made to special order. The electronics carry a three-year guarantee.

Engineering and use context

The controls cover the three adjustments needed to join a subwoofer to a pair of main speakers - a level control, a switchable phase setting and a variable blend frequency that sets where the woofer takes over from the mains. VAF states that the SW4 MKII works as a single unit in entry-level systems, yet is compact and affordable enough to be used as a spaced pair in hi-fi and home theatre setups. According to the maker, two subwoofers placed apart give more even bass across a whole room instead of a single listening seat, and bring the headroom needed for larger cinema rooms. Unlike the sealed SW2 in the same MPB family, it uses reflex loading. VAF has built speakers and parts for Sony, Dynaudio, Jamo, Dali and Duntech, and in 1998 it designed a 300-speaker electro-acoustic system for the Adelaide Festival Centre, followed in 2003 by loudspeakers for the Senate Chamber of Parliament House in Canberra.

Pairing

The blend control lets the SW4 MKII sit under bookshelf or small floorstanding speakers driven by any stereo amplifier with a preamp or subwoofer output, and in surround systems it takes the subwoofer channel of an AV receiver. Because VAF itself suggests a spaced pair, buying two units from the start is the configuration the maker describes for the higher grade of system.

Alternatives

The VAF MPB SW2 uses the same digital amplifier and driver size in a sealed 300 mm cube weighing 13 kg, with a stated response starting at 30 Hz.