Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D if sound quality matters most, the Focal Sub Air if price matters most. The Bowers & Wilkins DB3D ranks #8 of 73 subwoofers, rated 3.7/5, at $4,500. The Focal Sub Air ranks #29, rated 3.4/5, at $1,399, $3,101 cheaper.
The Bowers & Wilkins DB3D is the better-sounding pick. An exceptionally compact high-end subwoofer housing dual-opposed 8-inch Aerofoil cones with 1,000 watts of Class D amplification. The catch: The 8-inch driver displacement limits deep sub-bass output below 30Hz; cannot pressurize large open-plan rooms.
Why pick the Focal Sub Air: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. The tradeoff: Without a published 20 Hz output result, deep-bass capability is less certain than its midbass figure.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Focal Sub Air if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins DB3D | Focal Sub Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500.00 each | $1,399.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #29 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W RMS | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB | 109.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | gloss black, satin white, rosenut | black |
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 12.6”W x 11.8”D (360.0 x 320.0 x 300.0 mm) | 16.1”H x 14.2”W x 6.3”D (408.9 x 360.7 x 160.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” (203mm) Aerofoil drivers | 8” (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, side |
| Inputs | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) | - |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 93.4 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 98.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.5 dB | 91.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB | 100.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 111.0 dB | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.5 dB | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.2 dB | 114.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 114.0 dB | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| Warranty | 5 | 1(or3) |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25.0 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bowers & Wilkins DB3D:
- Bowers & Wilkins DB3D vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Bowers & Wilkins DB3D vs SVS 3000 In-Wall
- Focal Sub Air vs SVS 3000 In-Wall
- Focal Sub Air vs PSB SubSeries BP7
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Focal Sub Air
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins DB3D: $4,500.00 each Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins DB4S (smaller subwoofer, rated 3.8/5), the Bowers & Wilkins DB2D (larger subwoofer, rated 3.9/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins DB1D (larger subwoofer, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: An exceptionally compact high-end subwoofer housing dual-opposed 8-inch Aerofoil cones with 1,000 watts of Class D amplification. Fits seamlessly into demanding decor while delivering tight, resonant-free bass down to 30Hz with Bluetooth BLE app control and automatic room EQ.
Cons: The 8-inch driver displacement limits deep sub-bass output below 30Hz; cannot pressurize large open-plan rooms.
Full Bowers & Wilkins DB3D review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1000W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB |
| Cabinet Color | gloss black, satin white, rosenut |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 12.6”W x 11.8”D (360.0 x 320.0 x 300.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8” (203mm) Aerofoil drivers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 93.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 98.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Sub Air: $1,399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, side enclosure with 8” (203mm) driver is intended to add useful bass support without a full-size cabinet.
Cons: Without a published 20 Hz output result, deep-bass capability is less certain than its midbass figure. The 408.9H x 360.7W x 160.0D mm cabinet and 7.7 kg mass still need careful placement and calibration.
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Focal Sub Air review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 109.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | France |
| Dimensions | 16.1”H x 14.2”W x 6.3”D (408.9 x 360.7 x 160.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, side |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 91.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 100.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.3 dB |
| Warranty | 1(or3) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons