Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#48 and #50 of 73 subwoofers), and the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 costs $700 against $749 for the PSB Alpha S8, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 does well: Ultra-compact sealed subwoofer weighing under 20 lbs (8.85 kg), ideal for tight rooms and desktop setups. The tradeoff: Limited acoustic output and early low-frequency roll-off below 32Hz (-3dB).
Why pick the PSB Alpha S8: Compact 8-inch polypropylene woofer with rear bass reflex port powered by a 150W continuous / 210W dynamic Class D amplifier. Watch for: Modest low-frequency extension and output headroom limit effectiveness in large rooms.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $49 less than the PSB Alpha S8.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 3.0 to 3.4; PSB Alpha S8 3.0 to 3.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 | PSB Alpha S8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $700.00 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #48 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) Estimated | #50 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | United Kingdom | Canada |
| Warranty | 2 | 5/1 |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, rear port |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) paper/aramid fiber cone | 8” (203mm) polypropylene cone, rubber surround |
| Amplifier Power | 200W (Class D) | 150W continuous / 210W dynamic (Class D) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 140Hz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 150Hz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 10.2”H x 10.2”W x 13”D (260 x 260 x 330 mm) | 12.5”H x 11”W x 15”D (318 x 279 x 381 mm) |
| Weight | 19.5 lbs (8.85 kg) | 21.2 lbs (9.6 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 compares with other leading options:
- MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 vs Bowers & Wilkins ASW608
- Q Acoustics 3060S vs Bowers & Wilkins ASW608
- Q Acoustics 3060S vs PSB Alpha S8
- PSB Alpha S10 vs PSB Alpha S8
- Paradigm Defiance V12 vs Paradigm Defiance V8
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608: $700.00 Estimated Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.3/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) ASW610XP (larger subwoofer, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Ultra-compact sealed subwoofer weighing under 20 lbs (8.85 kg), ideal for tight rooms and desktop setups. 8-inch paper/aramid fiber driver powered by a 200W Class D amplifier delivers tight, articulate music bass.
Cons: Limited acoustic output and early low-frequency roll-off below 32Hz (-3dB). Output limits prevent it from pressurizing large living rooms or theater spaces.
Full Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W (Class D) |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 10.2”H x 10.2”W x 13”D (260 x 260 x 330 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) paper/aramid fiber cone |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 140Hz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 2 |
| Weight | 19.5 lbs (8.85 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PSB Alpha S8: $749.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the PSB Alpha S10 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.4/5).
Pros: Compact 8-inch polypropylene woofer with rear bass reflex port powered by a 150W continuous / 210W dynamic Class D amplifier. Lightweight 21-lb design integrates smoothly with Alpha series bookshelf monitors down to 35Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Modest low-frequency extension and output headroom limit effectiveness in large rooms. Lacks mobile app DSP or automated room calibration.
Full PSB Alpha S8 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W continuous / 210W dynamic (Class D) |
| Country | Canada |
| Dimensions | 12.5”H x 11”W x 15”D (318 x 279 x 381 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) polypropylene cone, rubber surround |
| Enclosure | ported, rear port |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 150Hz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/1 |
| Weight | 21.2 lbs (9.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons