Short answer: the Perlisten Audio D212s. It ranks #73 of 143 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $7,995. The Bowers & Wilkins DB1D ranks #101, rated 4.1/5, at $7,200, $795 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Perlisten Audio D212s: Push-pull dual 12-inch carbon fiber drivers in an inert sealed enclosure deliver reference-grade output with vanishingly low even-order harmonic distortion. Watch for: The 668H x 420W x 530D mm cabinet and 149.9 lbs (68.0 kg) mass make this a serious placement and lifting commitment.
The case for the Bowers & Wilkins DB1D: Flagship dual-opposed 12-inch Aerofoil drivers powered by 2,000 watts of dedicated Hypex Class D amplification. The catch: Flagship pricing represents a substantial investment.
Buy the Perlisten Audio D212s. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $795 saving on the Bowers & Wilkins DB1D is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten Audio D212s | Bowers & Wilkins DB1D | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,995.00 each | $7,200.00 each |
| Ranked | #73 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #101 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Amplifier Power | 2400W RMS | 2000W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.4 dB | 120.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | piano black, piano white | gloss black, satin white, rosenut |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 16.5”W x 20.9”D (668.0 x 420.0 x 530.0 mm) | 18.1”H x 16.9”W x 16.1”D (460.0 x 429.0 x 410.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 12” (305mm) carbon fiber drivers | 2x 12” (305mm) Aerofoil drivers |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 89.5 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 95.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 96.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 106.1 dB | 103.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 110.2 dB | 108.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 114.3 dB | 113.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.0 dB | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 120.1 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.2 dB | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.3 dB | 121.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 123.0 dB | 121.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 123.8 dB | 122.0 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs (68.0 kg) | 94.8 lbs (43.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Perlisten Audio D212s:
- JL Audio Fathom f212v2 vs Perlisten Audio D212s
- Perlisten Audio D212s vs PSB SubSeries BP12
- Paradigm Persona SUB vs Perlisten Audio D212s
- Paradigm Persona SUB vs Bowers & Wilkins DB1D
- PSB SubSeries BP12 vs Bowers & Wilkins DB1D
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
Perlisten Audio D212s: $7,995.00 each Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the Perlisten Audio D12s (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 4/5), the Perlisten Audio D15s (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5) and the Perlisten Audio D215s (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: Push-pull dual 12-inch carbon fiber drivers in an inert sealed enclosure deliver reference-grade output with vanishingly low even-order harmonic distortion. Driven by a 2.4 kW RMS smart amplifier with 48-bit DSP and 10-band parametric EQ controlled via app. THX Dominus certified with effortless extension and precision transient speed.
Cons: The 668H x 420W x 530D mm cabinet and 68.0 kg mass make this a serious placement and lifting commitment. Carries a steep price tag reflecting its ultra-high-end reference construction and THX Dominus certification.
Full Perlisten Audio D212s review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2400W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.4 dB |
| Cabinet Color | piano black, piano white |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 26.3”H x 16.5”W x 20.9”D (668.0 x 420.0 x 530.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 12” (305mm) carbon fiber drivers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 89.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 95.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 106.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 110.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 114.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 120.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 123.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 123.8 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs (68.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bowers & Wilkins DB1D: $7,200.00 each Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins DB4S (smaller subwoofer, rated 3.8/5), the Bowers & Wilkins DB3D (smaller subwoofer, rated 3.7/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins DB2D (smaller subwoofer, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Flagship dual-opposed 12-inch Aerofoil drivers powered by 2,000 watts of dedicated Hypex Class D amplification. Opposing driver reaction forces cancel cabinet resonances entirely, producing pristine, tight, distortion-free bass reaching over 120 dB in mid-bass and 103.8 dB at 20 Hz. Includes app-based automated room acoustic correction and balanced XLR connectivity.
Cons: Flagship pricing represents a substantial investment. The sealed, compact cabinet relies heavily on its 2 kW amplifier to achieve deep bass and does not produce the extreme sub-15Hz output of massive vented subs.
Full Bowers & Wilkins DB1D review and specifications →
| Released | May 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2000W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | gloss black, satin white, rosenut |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 18.1”H x 16.9”W x 16.1”D (460.0 x 429.0 x 410.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 12” (305mm) Aerofoil drivers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Inputs | XLR (2, balanced), RCA (2, unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 96.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 103.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 108.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 113.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 121.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 122.0 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 94.8 lbs (43.0 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons