𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝟭𝟱’𝘀! Bowers & Wilkins CT SW15 Subwoofer Review & SA1000 Amplifier

[@ClarkTeddles]

seeing identical subwoofers is very satisfying to look at

[@aleXtreme_]

We all waiting for some JTR Subs fun and testing! We can all just hope! Really value your take in general, especially sub review vids are so LIT!

[@aleXtreme_]

@@commanderrussels2612 I would buy any good sounding sub over a well painted one. I own 2x Captivators aswell

[@Australia852]

Thanks for the review Shane I have the CT7.3 and Ive always wondered how the these subs go. I like the idea of the seperate amp as well.

[@therealshanelee]

Perfect match.

[@kopkiwi08]

How do you find the 7.3? I am thinking of getting rid of my Paradigm Prestige 95F and going to these for a cleaner behind screen cinema

[@mmdusa]

Nice review Shane. Keep 'em coming.

[@kopkiwi08]

Man, I friggin love your channel. The quality of the content is A+ but you're also doing recent reviews for slightly older products with niche standings in the market. Long may it continue!

[@reikoshea]

NGL every time you do the ridiculous box gags, it gets an instant like.

[@IamtheLordofDoom]

If you used one SA1000 each would that improve their performance, or just increase headroom? And how good was performance once you used room EQ or whatever in your processsor?

[@brichardsfourty]

I love bowers and Wilkins I went to Best Buy and went to the magnolia home theater section and I looked at the bowers and Wilkins 1000 watt subwoofer 🔊 I was so impressed the huge deep earthquake Bass and surrounded by the beauty of Bowers and Wilkins speakers I fell in love I owned bowers and Wilkins zeppelin I paid almost $1000 for this and I still have it and will never ever sell it I love all my bowers and Wilkins speakers and surround sound speakers almost have enough money for the bowers and Wilkins 1000 W subwoofer 🔊 i’m buying two of them I already have one I just need the other subwoofer 🔊

[@sebulbathx]

I think it's a little bit odd not more manufacturers have separated sub and amp. I find it really practical to have the amp in the rack with everything else and only draw a speaker cable to the sub. Now you have to get a long sound cable and hopefully have an electric outlet near the sub which rarely happens so you end up with two long cables of some sort. Especially for dual subs having the amp separated makes it much easier or cleaner with the cables. Here in Sweden there was a second hand ad with two of these subs but I didn't want to take the chance because I couldn't find any reviews or tests of them. Anyway thanks for the review!

[@therealshanelee]

I’ve seen them go for great prices used. Worth it for big bass in tight spaces.

[@sebulbathx]

@@therealshanelee Ok thanks might have a look for them. The fact that they are shallow compared to many other sub would make them great for me.

[@raymondayala5355]

@@therealshanelee how would you compare this to SVS ULTRA Towers theater system with PC2000 sub? I’m having second thoughts about my purchase and thinking about sending those back to get this B&W 7.4s and Subs

[@Sloimer]

Most people don’t want an extra component for a sub.

[@sebulbathx]

@@Sloimer Yeah true for "regular" people although for the people that this sub is aimed toward I don't reslly think that is an issue.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Great video. Thanks for the review.

[@WindomRettes]

You allow a break in period before testing ?

[@cableguydan]

Hi Shane, Enjoyable review. 👍🏻 Have you switched back from the Arendals to the 7.4s, or just a slightly older sub review?

[@cango2267]

Hi, I want to setup a 4 array SBA in my 32m2 theater room. Can you recommend this B&W CT SW15 subs? Or do you recommend the Rhythmic F15 or 18 inch subs? I wants to have all frequency response which I can feel.

[@jarodreddig63]

Very cool. Sure is shallow. Would work well behind a tight spaced AT screen.

[@melcuemba03]

Awesome video! Very clear!!

[@Zwakkie05]

The bowers & Wilkins db series are newer with a room EQ system wich you can setup with a iPhone. The db1d is 2000 watt and db2d & 3 are 1000 watt and have a pushpull woofers.

[@RodizellMusicalOne]

So how do they compare to the SVS 1600’s you had?

[@Nyutu]

Very nice review. Getting four of these for my future HT room with CT 7.3/7.4s speakers. One question for you though, why use two amps if each is supposed power up to 2 subwoofers? My plan is to power the 2 front Subs with AMP1 and the 2 rear subs with AMP2 to not go overbudget on sa1000 amps

[@therealshanelee]

They sent two so I used them.

[@Nyutu]

@@therealshanelee hahaha ok that makes sense

[@mdiangelis-ct6xo]

I already have a dayton audio sa1000, which puts out almost 1000 amps at 4ohms, and obviously half that at 8ohms. Is it okay to use a different amp than the b and w one? I read that the sub is 8ohms. Do you think 500 watts would be enough for the amp?

[@therealshanelee]

It'll work.

[@eigos]

It's rare to find good passive subs for home/studio use (specifically PASSIVE, because I have all the other equipment already, so I don't want to buy active). Those seem very expensive for the results that they deliver, according to your review. I guess I'm gonna be stuck using car audio subs (like I am now) for the foreseeable future, lol

[@PeterPham]

I have the 2 SA1000 powering 4 CT SW12 but it's not low enough. Would you get 2 more SA 1000 amps or replace 2 of the subs with something else? I have limitation of 18" width 18" depth. for the cabinet in the front. Would KEF KF92 work? but those are dual firing so the speakers would be firing into the cabinet sides. or Rhythmik F12?

[@mrlinde6518]

Thx for the review. These or REL 1508'S?:)

[@therealshanelee]

They both rock.

[@zatara5299]

For dual subs, if u have one in front and one in back, for the back, do you plug the sub right into a wall power outlet or use a second power conditioner?

[@michaelwilburn1001]

I have a B&W speakers I'd like to see you review monprice monolith series of subwoofers.

[@therealshanelee]

Your gonna pair your B&W's monoprice?

[@xMI55IONx]

@@therealshanelee whats wrong with that?

[@therealshanelee]

@John Rogers what makes you think I'm living under a rock? What makes you think I haven't heard a monoprice sub before?

[@therealshanelee]

Monoprice has been done to death by all the other HT channels. I try to do stuff I'm personally interested in and products most folks won't bother with because they don't think it'll get views. Plus wouldn't you want to know what else is out there besides the main stream stuff everyone else talks about. Have you seen any other SW15's reviews. And have you seen any Arendal videos before I covered them?

[@mcarr416ix]

@John Rogers what are you so butt hurt about? He didn't even say anything negative about the Monoprice. 😂 Damn, one little hint in the direction of the Monoprice not being perfect and you lose it 😂😂

[@juancarloshernandezaguiler3645]

These or the Rythmik F18s?

[@therealshanelee]

These were loaners. I own F18's.

[@mcarr416ix]

I'm a big fan of B&W and these look like nice subs! Curious what you ended up with your crossover at since you mentioned being able to lower it with your setup.

[@therealshanelee]

45hz

[@christianb.6310]

@@therealshanelee At which crossover freq setting did you do the measurements? Also at 45 Hz?

[@hjorhoey]

Question: I’m getting a new sub but I’m unsure what to buy. SVS PB 4000 or two of these 12” B&W’s… the svs is so BIIIG, and I’m a little challenged when it comes to space. That’s not going so settle it though. And that’s why I’m asking you, will you decide for me plz..

[@hjorhoey]

By the way, my fronts are b&w CT7.3 LCR

[@therealshanelee]

You'll need the amplifiers to run these subs. If that's ok then go with these. They'll slam harder.

[@hjorhoey]

Oh yes, the amps. Still cheaper than svs…thanks a lot…💪🏻

[@thomasrasmussen1762]

@@therealshanelee Almost same issue, but different ;-) To accompany the 3 x CT7.3 LCR's (and 10 x CMW7.5 S5) I look at either 2 x B&W SW15 or 2 x SVS PB-3000 for my dedicated smaller 200ft2 room (11,6x17,1). Height 6.7ft. Here in Denmark the B&W will set me back app. $5.260 but the SVS only $4.160 (Yep - the SVS do carry a premium on EU side!) Will there be any difference with this room size in your experience? (SOOO nice to finally see someone do a review of these subs by the way)

[@84Prich]

@@thomasrasmussen1762 what did you end up getting?

[@1982field]

That is pretty cool

[@davemccague222]

Hi Shane. How does it compare to the Rel 1508

[@therealshanelee]

Both have their plus and minuses.

[@davemccague222]

I am strongly considering getting 4 Rel 1508s to replace my two Svs Pb 4000s. What do u think. I really value your judgement.

[@darealestwon]

I thought arendal sound was your choice. I guess I missed it

[@poleepwka]

You will get better response with those right up against the walls.

[@doublet147]

Love your insight, plus your production & vids are on point! However, there's something I need to bring up: Have you thought of using a 'Sports Announcer' type voice in your videos (lol but no disrespect). Multiple times I've shared your vids with friends in a "nonquiet" environment & they can't hear you. CC helps when it's available. But a friend was trying to listen to your video tonight and he commented on how you have the voice of "someone instructing meditation" (again, no disrespect meant). I told him it's because you are the Dali Lama of A/V!

[@therealshanelee]

Interesting observation.

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@therealshanelee , it does sound youre trying to not wake the kids...

[@XX-121]

should have went with svs subs (SB16-ultra's) if you were gonna spend that much or at least used the dayton audio SA1000 amps which are not only cheaper and class a/b but also have better sound shaping control. well at least that's what i would've done. nice setup tho..

[@Markus_Kordes]

Hello Shane, You tested a lot of subwoofers. What Subwoofers do you like most for power and the quality of sound?

[@1997inspire]

Last time I read a magazine review on a Bowers & Wilkins (B&W at the time) powered sub was about 20 years ago. It was a 12 inch sealed model at $3000. It didn't impress below 30Hz. It appears that they still haven't mastered the subwoofer challenge.Sub plus amp cost $3250, $2000 for the hardware and $1250 for the logo. SVS SB16 Ultra and PB16 Ultra absolutely punish the B&W in performance and world class looks for significantly less money.I wonder why only a few manufactures equip subs with front mounted controls.

[@pl9045]

Hello, i don't have a great experience with the sub, of course not like a pro !! , but i have 30 years to search a great sound and now i have a CT SW15 with klipsch forte III (K3 Power Amplifier with modified capacitor) and SMSL DAC, the sound is very very great ! the power have no limit. Only 5 or 10 w in klipsch and the bass is not very present but with the CT sw15 it's very good with a small volume !

[@MrBazsi888]

SA1000 can power two CTSW15 subs ?

[@therealshanelee]

Yes

[@MrBazsi888]

@@therealshanelee that means 500W/sub ?

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@MrBazsi888 , no, 1000 each

[@thomasrasmussen1762]

As far as I can read on the SA1000 and also asked about in Danish retail store for B&W, if powering two subs with one SA1000, it is the same signal for both subs. Sort of like dual-mono-LFE. So you'll "only" be able to use one sub output from your receiver, because the SA1000 only has one input, and the same signal will be sent to both connected SW12/15's. So if you want to do individual correction for each sub, you'll either need a miniDSP or a separate SA1000 (assuming you have two individually controlled sub outputs on your receiver - which actually far from all have (many have two, but most they are not individual - they are "mono"))

[@srenfrandsen4158]

@@thomasrasmussen1762 hej Thomas. Jeg har 1stk sa1000, 2 stk 15” subwoofere og 1 stk mini dsp. Hvordan vil du sætte hver sub op individuelt via mini dsp hvis sa 1000 allligevel blot formår at håndtere 1 signal? Vh Søren

[@vitotrupiano128]

i will stick with my JL fathom 113

[@vinnunani3989]

what about funk 18.e sub sri ..with one is best one plz rly me

[@therealshanelee]

Looks nice.

[@roblidestri7086]

These or the kf92’s ? Thanks

[@therealshanelee]

These are way more powerful.

[@TheRizvi3]

these or rel 1508?

[@therealshanelee]

Can’t go wrong with either.

[@TheRizvi3]

Thanks

[@shaneducholke364]

Why are they saying frequency is +/-6db? That's falsely lowering capabilities

[@En_Joshi-Godrez]

staying frequency?

[@shaneducholke364]

@@En_Joshi-Godrez sorry *saying frequency

[@junior-OG]

yeah we want to see +/-3db

[@alcozar5905]

Cause bowel movements!?!🤣🤣🤣