Сабвуферы — Wharfedale SW-12

The SW-12 is the 12-inch active subwoofer in the SW series from Wharfedale, placed between the smaller SW-10 and the SW-15 above it. The company terms it an Active Dynamic-Drive IB unit meant to strike a balance between output and quality for film and music, and it was designed to integrate with the brand's main loudspeakers. Pricing was USD 999 in the United States and AUD 1,399.99 in Australia.

Key specs that matter

One 300 mm long-throw cone driver works from an amplifier rated at 300 W RMS and 450 W peak. Frequency response runs from 35 Hz to 120 Hz within 3 dB, and maximum output at 1 m is 118 dB. Line input sensitivity is 200 mV for full power, with 10 kohm impedance on the line inputs and 5 kohm on the LFE input, and S/N ratio reaches 85 dB or better. The cabinet is 430 to 488 mm high depending on the feet, 395 mm wide and 422 to 437 mm deep, and weighs 22.1 kg.

Engineering and use context

Wharfedale uses a non-pressed paper cone, choosing it for self-damping, transient impact and a stiffer structure. Copper lining in the centre vents of the voice coil reduces magnetic distortion and improves heat dissipation, which matters when the driver is worked hard for long periods. Its cabinet is ported through the rear panel, so the rear panel should not be pushed flat against a wall. The amplifier is described by Wharfedale as a solid design optimised for high-impact low frequencies. The crossover is continuously variable between 30 Hz and 150 Hz, and the rear panel also carries a volume control, a phase inversion switch and an auto sense feature that wakes the unit on signal and drops it into standby when the signal ends. In the UK the cabinet comes in walnut pearl, white sandex, blackwood vinyl or rosewood, always with a high-gloss baffle, and Australian stock has piano black or piano white lacquered fronts. A 3-year warranty applies as standard.

Pairing

Stereo RCA inputs suit a two-channel preamplifier or an integrated amplifier with preamp outputs, where the adjustable crossover can be set to the roll-off point of the main speakers. For home cinema the mono RCA LFE input accepts the LFE feed from a home cinema receiver or processor, and the phase switch helps with alignment when the sub sits away from the front speakers.

Alternatives

The Wharfedale SW-15 sits above the SW-12 in the same series and was priced at AUD 1,899.99 in Australia.