Сабвуферы — Monitor Audio Vestra W15

Monitor Audio lists the Vestra W15 as the largest model of its Vestra subwoofer series, aimed at listeners who want the most output the range offers. It shares the Vestra platform with the W10 and W12 but is the only one of the three with a ported cabinet. The series was created to widen Monitor Audio's standalone subwoofer choice and to complement its Bronze and Silver loudspeakers, and the W15 sells for GBP 900 with a 5-year warranty.

Key specs that matter

The 381 mm (15-inch) driver has a C-CAM cone, short for ceramic coated aluminium magnesium, and a triple-layer suspension built for high linear excursion. A Class-D amplifier drives it, rated at 500 W RMS instantaneous output. The in-room response is given as 17 to 200 Hz at -6 dB. Maximum usable peak output reaches 117 dB under the CTA-2010-B method, Z-weighted and in half-space, 2 dB above the W12. The box measures 540 mm in height, 526 mm in width and 556 mm in depth and weighs 30.3 kg. Two matte colours are offered - black and white - and a cloth grille covers the front.

Engineering and use context

Where the two smaller Vestra models use sealed enclosures for easier placement, the W15 has a ported bass alignment intended to extend the deepest bass. A stiff, lightweight cone resists flexing under load, and the three-layer suspension keeps its movement controlled at large excursions. On the rear panel the low-pass point is variable from 32 to 200 Hz, phase flips between 0 and 180 degrees on a switch, and three DSP modes - Impact, Movie and Music - alter the equalisation. An automatic signal sensing circuit turns the amplifier on once the input exceeds 3 mV and returns it to standby after 20 minutes of silence. Universal mains from 85 to 265 V at 50 or 60 Hz is accepted, and power draw is 120 W at one eighth of full output.

Pairing

The W15 takes its signal through stereo unbalanced RCA inputs, an unbalanced RCA LFE input or a 3.5 mm mono jack, all with a 47 kOhms input impedance, and a 12 V trigger links its power state to other equipment. An AV receiver or processor connects to the LFE input, and a stereo amplifier with pre-outs uses the left and right sockets. Monitor Audio developed the whole series with multi-subwoofer home cinema systems and DSP tuning in mind, so a W15 can be combined with further units.

Alternatives

The Vestra W12 offers the same amplifier and C-CAM driver type in a sealed 12-inch cabinet weighing 18.3 kg.