Short answer: the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12. It ranks #33 of 73 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $639.99; the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 ranks #48, rated 3.2/5, and costs $700, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12: A sealed 12” MartinLogan subwoofer with a 700W peak (350W continuous) Magnitude amplifier, rated 24 to 200Hz (±3dB), with app control, Anthem Room Correction support and XLR inputs, in a 29 lbs (13.2 kg) cabinet. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured MartinLogan Dynamo 12 (110.6dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands), which has more amplifier power and an aluminum woofer, so it is placed below it.
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. Watch for: Limited acoustic output and early low-frequency roll-off below 32Hz (-3dB).
Buy the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 3.0 to 3.5; Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 3.0 to 3.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 | Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $639.99 | $700.00 |
| Ranked | #33 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) Estimated | #48 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| Warranty | 3 | 2 |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Drivers | 12” polypropylene woofer | 8” (200mm) paper/aramid fiber cone |
| Amplifier Power | 350W continuous (700W peak) | 200W (Class D) |
| Frequency Response | 24-200Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 140Hz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 16”H x 14.1”W x 14.1”D (406 x 358 x 358 mm) | 10.2”H x 10.2”W x 13”D (260 x 260 x 330 mm) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) | 19.5 lbs (8.85 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12:
- MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 vs PSB Alpha S10
- MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 vs MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10
- Q Acoustics 3060S vs Bowers & Wilkins ASW608
- Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 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
MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12: $639.99 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 10 (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.1/5), the MartinLogan Dynamo 10 (larger subwoofer, estimated 3.4/5) and the MartinLogan Dynamo 12 (larger subwoofer, rated 3.5/5). See every MartinLogan Dynamo generation.
Pros: A sealed 12” MartinLogan subwoofer with a 700W peak (350W continuous) Magnitude amplifier, rated 24 to 200Hz (±3dB), with app control, Anthem Room Correction support and XLR inputs, in a 29 lb cabinet.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured MartinLogan Dynamo 12 (110.6dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands), which has more amplifier power and an aluminum woofer, so it is placed below it.
Full MartinLogan Dynamo Foundation 12 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W continuous (700W peak) |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16”H x 14.1”W x 14.1”D (406 x 358 x 358 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 24-200Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 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
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