Bowers & Wilkins DB4S

Features

10" Aerofoil Woofer: The Bowers & Wilkins DB4S powered subwoofer houses a front-firing 10" Aerofoil woofer with rubber surround for deep accurate bass response. Solid, dramatic bass is delivered through the rigidity and lightness of the uniquely-shaped, variable thickness Aerofoil cone woofer because it can resist bending and flexing longer than conventional cones.

1000W Class D Amplifier w/ DSP: The Bowers & Wilkins DB4S employs a 1000W (Max) Class D Hypex amplifier with digital signal processing (DSP) for powerful, dynamic, controlled bass. The digital amplifier is energy efficient and runs cool even when its working hard to produce deep, high-volume bass. The amplifier's digital signal processing ensures precise bass for both music and movie soundtracks and outstanding performance in every circumstance.

Ultra-Rigid Low-Resonance Enclosure: The 10" Aerofoil woofer and built-in amplifier are housed in a compact, acoustic suspension (sealed ) enclosure that is ultra-rigid and low-resonant for tight, accurate bass performance without any unwanted distortion or coloration from vibration. A cloth grille is included that magnetically attaches to the front of the subwoofer enclosure. The subwoofer can be used with or without the grille fitted.

The Bowers & Wilkins DB Subwoofers App: The Bowers & Wilkins DB Subwoofers app (for Apple iOS 10.0+ and Android OS 5.0+) provides simple setup and control of the DB Series powered subwoofer from your Bluetooth connected Apple iOS or Android OS device. The app includes positioning and connecting guides, set-up and troubleshooting, as well as provides control over overall volume output and specific audio presets. The app's Room EQ system allows you to optimize the subwoofer's performance for your room using the microphone built into your phone.

• Room Equalization & Calibration: The app's built-in automatic calibration and equalization system works in conjunction with the microphone in your Apple iOS or Android OS device to optimize the sound and bass output of the powered subwoofer to match the acoustic characteristics of your listening environment (room). *Due to microphone incompatibilities, Room EQ is not available with all Android mobile devices.
• Volume Level & Input Gain: There is a Volume Level and Input Gain adjustment. The Input Gain (-5 to +5dB) enables optimum matching of different source output levels so that the subwoofer volume level matches that of the main speakers for all inputs. The Volume Level provides control of the subwoofer's overall volume output level relative to the other loudspeakers in your system.
• Low Pass Filter: There are independent Low Pass Filter options for both the RCA and XLR inputs. For stereo installations the Low Pass Filter can be matched to either specific Bowers & Wilkins main speakers or to alternative manufacturer's main speaker specifications using a variable setting (25-150Hz with a 12 or 24dB slop). In a home theater setup with a mono (LFE) connection, the bass management functions of the AV receiver or processor should be employed and the subwoofer's Low Pass Filter deactivated.
• Phase: Normally the phase will be set to 0°, but if the subwoofer is positioned at a distance significantly different from the other speakers, or the power amplifier driving the other speakers happens to invert the signal, the 90, 180, or 270° position may be preferable. Listen with the Phase set to multiple positions and choose the one that gives the fullest sound.
• Movie & Music EQ: Equalization presets are designed to suit music and movie program material. You can choose between Flat, Music, Movie, or Custom. The Custom mode provides a 5-band (20, 28, 40, 56, 80Hz) equalizer for manual customization (-5 to +5dB) of the EQ curve.

Note: The DB Series powered subwoofer can only be set up and controlled through the Bowers & Wilkins DB Subwoofers app via a Bluetooth connection. It is not possible to set up or control the powered sub without the app. There are no physical controls on the power subwoofer, itself.

Balanced & Unbalanced Inputs: The Bowers & Wilkins DB Series powered subwoofer provides balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) stereo inputs. The inputs can be connected simultaneously and configured independently for different system applications, so you can have the powered sub connected to your home theater speaker system and stereo speaker system. If your AV receiver or processor features an LFE output, you'll only need to connect the "Right" XLR or "Right" RCA input of the powered sub. Balanced XLR connections are inherently more resistant to interference and noise than unbalanced RCA connections.

Mounting Options: It is important to ensure the powered subwoofer stands firmly on the floor using either the included decoupling, rubber, or spike feet. The feet screw into the bottom of the powered sub and are adjustable to allow you to level the subwoofer on uneven floors. Use the decoupling or rubber feet on hardwood, laminate, tile, and vinyl flooring. Use the spike feet for carpeted flooring.

• Dimensions with Decoupling Feet: 14.25" (w) x 15.25" (h) x 17.0625" (d)
• Dimensions with Rubber Feet: 14.25" (w) x 14.75" (h) x 17.0625" (d)
• Dimensions with Spike Feet: 14.25" (w) x 15.625" (h) x 17.0625" (d)

Note: The DB Series powered sub should always be used with the feet installed (either the decoupling, rubber, or spike option) for optimum performance and maximum stability.

Placement Options: The Bowers & Wilkins DB Series powered subwoofer is more versatile than most powered subs in terms of positioning thanks to its Room EQ optimization system through the Bowers & Wilkins DB Subwoofers app on your Bluetooth connected Apple iOS or Android OS device. Once you have positioned the subwoofer, its performance can then be optimized using Room EQ in the mobile app to compensate for less than ideal positioning.

• DB4S models should be oriented with the woofer facing forward toward the listening area.
• Best results will be obtained if the DB Series subwoofer is placed between the left and right speakers or in the vicinity of one of them.
• Placing a subwoofer to the side, but still to the front of the listeners is an acceptable compromise if domestic considerations dictate. However, the subwoofer should not be located behind the listening position.
• If two subwoofers are to be used it is best to position one near the left speaker and one near the right speaker.
• Like all speakers, the proximity of room boundaries affects the sound of a subwoofer. Bass volume increases as more boundaries come into proximity. The more boost gained from the room, the lower the volume can be set and the less hard the subwoofer has to work.

Auto On/Off: The Bowers & Wilkins DB4S powered subwoofer will automatically turn on when it senses an audio signal and automatically go into standby mode when there is no audio signal for more than 20 minutes.

Control Connections: The B&W DB Series powered subwoofer is outfitted with custom control connections that include two 12V trigger inputs (3.5mm) and a RS-232 port (9-pin D connector). The Trigger 1 input enables wired remote control of the subwoofer's power on/off from a component with a 12V trigger output. The Trigger 2 input enables wired remote control of subwoofer input selection from a component with a 12V trigger output. The R-232 port enables the powered subwoofer to be incorporated in a remote control home automation system.