B&W CT SW12

A 300 mm driver for Custom Theatre

CT SW12 is a passive sealed subwoofer driven by a separate amplifier.

The single Bowers & Wilkins CT SW12 can fit sturdy home-theatre cabinetry or stand on the floor. The cabinet measures 465 × 396 × 260 mm, becoming 290 mm deep with the grille. An external amplifier is required; CDA-2HD is the named partner. Provide access to the rear connectors and do not size the compartment only to the cabinet depth without its grille.

Key features

• Cabinet 465 × 396 × 260 mm.
• 300 mm paper/Aramid Fibre driver; sealed cabinet.
• 1000 W power handling into 8 ohms; external CDA-2HD amplifier.
• Binding posts and Neutrik Speakon; magnetic grille; depth with grille 290 mm.

The middle size

The 300 mm paper and Aramid Fibre cone is larger than CT SW10's 250 mm unit and smaller than CT SW15's 380 mm driver. Its rigid diaphragm handles cinema low-frequency effects. The lower -6 dB point is 17 Hz and +3 dB response starts at 24 Hz. All three cabinets remain 260 mm deep, but front dimensions grow noticeably with driver diameter.

Electrical and support

Power handling is 1000 W into 8 ohms. Binding posts or a Neutrik Speakon socket provide connection, and the cloth grille is magnetic. At 25 kg net weight, cabinet loading needs attention; rubber feet or spikes suit two mounting arrangements. Position the sub in relation to the front system and include the CDA-2HD connection in the cable plan.

Cabinetry must resist vibration from a 25 kg subwoofer as well as carry its static weight. The magnetic grille adds 30 mm to bare enclosure depth; allow that difference before cabinet fabrication if the front must sit flush. The external amplifier also manages upper-frequency adjustment for integration with the other speakers. Test placement before permanently enclosing the cabinet.