Short answer: the PSB SubSeries BP12. It ranks #74 of 143 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $6,699; the Bowers & Wilkins DB1D ranks #101, rated 4.1/5, and costs $7,200, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the PSB SubSeries BP12: PSB’s flagship subwoofer: two opposed 12” drivers in a sealed cabinet with a 1000W Purifi amplifier (2 x 500W), rated 20 to 150Hz (±3dB) and 17Hz at -10dB. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured PSB Speakers SubSeries 450 (122.1dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); two opposed 12” drivers in a sealed box with 1000W should come close to it.
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. Watch for: Flagship pricing represents a substantial investment.
Buy the PSB SubSeries BP12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bowers & Wilkins DB1D and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Worth knowing: the PSB SubSeries BP12 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.8 to 4.4, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| PSB SubSeries BP12 | Bowers & Wilkins DB1D | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,699.00 | $7,200.00 each |
| Ranked | #74 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) Estimated | #101 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Country | Canada | United Kingdom |
| Warranty | 5/1 | 5 |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Drivers | 2 x 12” drivers (opposed) | 2x 12” (305mm) Aerofoil drivers |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W (2 x 500W) Purifi | 2000W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 20-150Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 19.3”H x 18.9”W x 18.9”D (490 x 480 x 480 mm) | 18.1”H x 16.9”W x 16.1”D (460.0 x 429.0 x 410.0 mm) |
| Weight | 132.1 lbs (59.9 kg) | 94.8 lbs (43.0 kg) |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | - | 120.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | - | gloss black, satin white, rosenut |
| 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 |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to PSB SubSeries BP12:
- MartinLogan Depth 215 vs PSB SubSeries BP12
- Perlisten Audio D212s vs PSB SubSeries BP12
- PSB SubSeries BP12 vs REL Acoustics 212 Black Label
- Paradigm Persona SUB vs PSB SubSeries BP12
- Bowers & Wilkins DB1D vs Perlisten Audio D15s
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
PSB SubSeries BP12: $6,699.00 Estimated PSB eBay
Same family: the PSB SubSeries BP7 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.3/5) and the PSB SubSeries BP8 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.6/5).
Pros: PSB’s flagship subwoofer: two opposed 12” drivers in a sealed cabinet with a 1000W Purifi amplifier (2 x 500W), rated 20 to 150Hz (±3dB) and 17Hz at -10dB.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured PSB Speakers SubSeries 450 (122.1dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands); two opposed 12” drivers in a sealed box with 1000W should come close to it. It weighs 60kg.
Full PSB SubSeries BP12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1000W (2 x 500W) Purifi |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Dimensions | 19.3”H x 18.9”W x 18.9”D (490 x 480 x 480 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 x 12” drivers (opposed) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 20-150Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/1 |
| Weight | 132.1 lbs (59.9 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 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