Subwoofers

Long-term AV fans will remember Velodyne. Once the go-to for superior, face-melting subwoofers, the American company picked up awards left, right and centre for its range of bassmakers, particularly the flagship DD+ series, which peaked with a terrifying 18in model.

Since 1999 American company SVS has built a formidable reputation by mainly focusing on one thing – manufacturing powerful home cinema subwoofers that don't cost the earth. It has some beefy models in its lineup, topping out at the 16-Ultra Series (ported and sealed models with 16in woofers), but the SB-1000 Pro is a timely reminder that amongst the pricier, bigger boom boxes, it can still knock up a compact sealed unit with a sub-£700 ticket. And why wouldn't it? Models like this sell like hot cakes.

Hold the phone, is that a 15in subwoofer with a 400W amplifier for less than £1,000? I believe it is, and quickly scrolling to the SPL-150's entry on Klipsch's website leaves little room for product positioning ambiguity. Under the heading 'Badass Bass', is the statement: 'We've been pissing off your neighbours since 1946 – why stop now?' I love it already.

SVS has a settled strategy when it comes to its subwoofer stable: it sells both ported and sealed variants, to give consumers a choice. The smaller sealed models are for those wanting to install a sub in a typical living environment (or, as SVS puts it, 'mixed media' entertainment systems), while the larger ported offerings are for dedicated movie rooms.

The DB3D is the smallest in B&W's premium DB series of subwoofers. It's neat, compact and – with its near-£2,000 price tag – not in any way entry-level. And despite its dimensions, of a roughly 12in cube sitting atop a 2in aluminium-trimmed plinth, it weighs a monstrous 25kg, courtesy of the enormous magnets for its two 8in drivers and a super-heavyweight MDF cabinet. In mass density alone, the DB3D ought to have its own gravitational field.