Сабвуферы — Wharfedale SW-15

The SW-15 tops the SW subwoofer range from British loudspeaker maker Wharfedale, above the SW-10 and SW-12. Its intended setting is a large room or a dedicated home cinema, and Wharfedale describes it as an Active Dynamic-Drive IB system for films and music alike. Its American list price was USD 1,199.

Key specs that matter

A single 380 mm long-throw cone is driven by an amplifier with a rated output of 400 W and a quoted peak of 850 W. Frequency response is 30 Hz to 120 Hz within 3 dB. Average maximum output at 1 m reaches 124 dB, and noise is at least 85 dB below the signal. Full output needs 200 mV at the line inputs, which present 10 kohm, while the LFE socket presents 5 kohm. The cabinet measures 540 mm high plus 58 mm of feet, 500 mm wide and 540 mm deep plus 15 mm, and the net weight is 27 kg.

Engineering and use context

The 15-inch driver uses a cone of non-pressed paper, selected because it damps itself, stays rigid and handles fast transients well, and a rubber surround is fitted. The centre vents of the motor are lined with copper, a measure intended to cut magnetic distortion and draw heat out of the voice coil during long sessions at high level. The enclosure is a bass reflex type with two rear-firing ports. Controls on the back comprise volume, a low-pass crossover adjustable from 30 Hz to 150 Hz plus a switch that inverts phase, and an auto on and off circuit puts the amplifier into standby when no signal is present. British finishes are rosewood, walnut pearl, white sandex and blackwood vinyl, each combined with a high-gloss baffle, while Australia gets piano black and piano white. An IEC power lead is included, and the standard warranty runs 3 years.

Pairing

The stereo pair of RCA line inputs connects to the preamp outputs of a two-channel amplifier or preamplifier, and the crossover dial then sets where the sub hands over to the main speakers. A surround receiver or processor feeds the mono RCA LFE input instead, applying its own bass management upstream. Because the ports exit at the back, some clearance from the wall behind the cabinet is needed.

Alternatives

The Wharfedale SW-12 is the smaller sibling, using a 12-inch driver with 300 W rated power in a 22.1 kg cabinet.