B&W ASW610 review

Best subwoofer up to £700, Awards 2011. The B&W ASW610 sounds bigger than it looks and more expensive than its price-tag Tested at £500

(Image: © B&W)

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Best subwoofer up to £700, Awards 2011. Neat, well made and sounds great for the money.

Pros

  • +

    Fabulously agile and well-extended bass for its size

  • +

    good finish

  • +

    small and well-equipped

Cons

  • -

    Nothing

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

As reigning best Buy within its price class, the B&W ASW610 is the target its rivals have to aim for, but as we've seen in several tests of late, it' s a difficult target to hit.

That's partially because it's surprisingly small, at just 31cm high – but it's also because its diminutive form disguises a formidably powerful and terrifically dynamic design, its 200w amplifier controlling the excursions of its 25cm Kevlar/paper drive unit with a martinet's fervour.

Spin a movie, and depth and drive are never in doubt, the B&W thundering through The Dark Knight with an absolute authority that belies its modest size.

However, most of its rivals can go loud and deep: the ASW610's edge lies its lethally effective blend of power and poise, muscle and musicality.

It can deliver bass with subtlety and expression, its speed on the attack and its tonal differentiation ensuring Santogold's L.E.S Artistes fairly zips along.

It's a genuine all-rounder and no mistake.

MORE:

Best subwoofers

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test