Bowers & Wilkins
BOWERS & WILKINS Subwoofer CT8SW
Best in-wall subwoofer for high-end home cinema enthusiasts.
Designed to seamlessly integrate with Bowers & Wilkins CT8 LR speakers, the CT8 SW passive in-wall subwoofer delivers an impressive bass response down to 13Hz. It features a robust 15-inch Rohacell® driver housed within a 70-liter Matrix-braced enclosure, ensuring exceptional rigidity and minimal resonance. This subwoofer is engineered for straightforward installation and provides a palpable, room-filling bass experience that truly immerses you in your audio. Its composite sandwich cone bass driver is constructed from advanced materials, similar to those used in automotive and aerospace applications, offering superior strength and responsiveness for accurate low-frequency reproduction.
$4600.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
152
/ 6668
#152 in Speakers
Price vs Category Average
+214%
Above average
Driver
15
/ -inch Rohacell® driver
Who it's for
- Home theater enthusiasts building massive, high-impact cinema experiences
- Audiophiles demanding precise, lightning-fast bass response
- System designers creating perfectly matched, high-end B&W speaker arrays
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers avoiding complex external amplifier setups
- Apartment dwellers or those with limited room dimensions
- Casual listeners with standard-sized living room media spaces
Performance breakdown
Low-Frequency Extension
Reaches an incredible 13Hz for deep, felt-in-the-chest cinematic rumble.
Enclosure Rigidity
Matrix-bracing eliminates unwanted cabinet vibration for pure, distortion-free output.
Driver Responsiveness
Advanced Rohacell cone material ensures rapid, precise transient response.
Installation Versatility
In-wall design provides a clean, discreet aesthetic for dedicated home theaters.
System Integration
Perfectly voiced to complement the CT8 LR speaker series seamlessly.
Output Authority
Massive 15-inch driver delivers effortless, room-filling power for large spaces.
Key Specs
Driver
15-inch Rohacell® driver
Enclosure
70-litre Matrix-braced enclosure
Frequency Response
Down to 13Hz
Type
Passive in-wall subwoofer
Cone Material
Composite sandwich cone
Model Number
CT8 SW
Number of Drivers
1
Features
- Extends bass response down to 13Hz
- Features a 15-inch Rohacell driver
- Housed in a 70-liter Matrix-braced enclosure
- Designed for easy in-wall installation
- Delivers palpable, room-filling bass
- Utilizes a rigid composite sandwich cone for responsiveness
- Integrates seamlessly with CT8 LR speakers
- Passive in-wall design for discreet placement
What customers say
Owners hold the Bowers & Wilkins CT8SW subwoofer in high regard, primarily for its reference grade performance and exceptional quality. This flagship component consistently delivers seismic, effortless bass that combines brute force with musical finesse. Reviewers praise its accuracy, speed, and seamless integration into high-end home cinema systems. The build quality is robust and professional grade, handling massive power without distortion. A key consideration is its passive nature, requiring significant external amplification which increases the overall system cost and complexity. For those seeking the absolute pinnacle of foundational depth in their audio experience, satisfaction is complete, viewing the investment as essential for world-class sound.
Know before you buy
Yes, the CT8 SW is a passive subwoofer, meaning it does not have a built-in power source. You will need to pair it with a compatible external amplifier to drive the 15-inch driver effectively.
While it is specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with the CT8 LR speakers for a cohesive home theater setup, it can be used in other high-end custom installations. However, you will need to ensure your processor and amplification are calibrated correctly to match the subwoofer's performance characteristics.
Rohacell is a high-strength, lightweight foam material used in aerospace applications. In this subwoofer, it creates a rigid composite sandwich cone that resists bending under pressure, allowing for precise, distortion-free bass even at high volumes.
The Matrix bracing system acts like an internal skeleton for the cabinet, significantly increasing its rigidity. This minimizes unwanted cabinet vibrations and resonance, ensuring that the sound you hear is pure, tight bass rather than rattling or coloration from the enclosure itself.
The CT8 SW is designed for custom in-wall integration, but because of its 70-liter enclosure and robust build, it requires a dedicated space within your wall structure. We recommend consulting with a professional installer to ensure your wall can support the weight and that the cavity is properly prepared for the enclosure.
The CT8 SW is capable of extending bass response down to 13Hz. This is well below the range of human hearing, providing a physical, tactile experience that you feel in the room as much as you hear.
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