Bowers & Wilkins PV1D Subwoofer Review

Bowers & Wilkins PV1D Subwoofer Review

Bowers & Wilkins, or B&W, is a UK company that produces speakers. B&W was founded in 1966 by John Bowers in Worthing (West Sussex, England).

Main features

The Bowers & Wilkins PV1D is the successor to B&W’s award-winning PV1, with a digital update marked “D” that allows the subwoofer to be fine-tuned using EQ options.

Bowers & Wilkins PV1D Subwoofer – Performance and Digital Control

The Bowers & Wilkins PV1D features a highly advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) system, accessible via an OLED display and a centrally located touch interface. This DSP system continuously optimizes overall performance, offering precision tuning to adapt to your specific setup.

When used in a 2.1 configuration, the PV1D offers a selection of pre-configured EQ modes, designed to match six different types of speakers—making integration seamless and straightforward.

The subwoofer’s internal components have also been refined. The dual 20 cm (8″) opposing drive units and the powerful 400-watt amplifier have been upgraded to deliver even more depth and energy than its predecessor. Despite these enhancements, the PV1D retains the speed, agility, and dynamic character that made the original model so popular.

The DSP-driven system plays a key role in expanding the subwoofer’s low-frequency reach. A dynamic bass EQ monitors and manages output power to ensure both the amplifier and drive units stay within safe and optimal performance limits, avoiding distortion while maintaining deep, controlled bass.

The PV1D can be connected to a Windows computer using the RS-232 socket and the supplied cable. This allows you to use the B&W SubApp – which can be downloaded for free from the company’s website – to adjust the subwoofer settings through it. It has a power of 400 Watts, a nominal power consumption of 150 Watts, measures 342 mm x 270 mm x 358 mm, and weighs 18.7 kg.

Sound of Bowers & Wilkins PV1D

The subwoofer was tested in a relatively large living room. The acoustics of the room were not perfect because too many sound-absorbing elements were placed on the walls and in the corners, so the deep sounds in the room were too dampened, causing the sound of movies and music to deteriorate. The owner was advised to place acoustic diffusers on the walls and ceiling in addition to the sound-absorbing panels to keep the sound balanced. We paired the B&W subwoofer with a pair of Definitive Technology D15 speakers and a Marantz SR8012 home theatre amplifier.

We started testing by listening to music, listening to Bastille’s Doom Days. The bass sounded stunning, producing detailed, clear, and guided bass. Our experience was akin while watching a movie. We watched the exciting action drama of 2016 the Patriots’ Day. The B&W subwoofer radiated precise, percussive basses.

The uniquely designed PV1D uses two opposite drives in a super-rigid housing to deliver fast, clean, solid deep bass notes for music and movies. Keeping the balance of its predecessor, the PV1D uses a brand new design and improved version of the DSP platform. Digital processing provides greater control and versatility, allowing PV1D to integrate seamlessly with home theatre systems.

Design and Acoustic Engineering

The PV1D delivers the full impact of action movie soundtracks with authority, thanks to its high-intensity subwoofer design. Paired with a sturdy and acoustically inert enclosure, the bass produced by the opposing drivers is impressively well-distributed, tightly controlled, and sustained.

The intuitive touch screen panel allows for simple and direct access to all settings. But the PV1D is more than just a stylish design—it’s a showcase of engineering innovation. The subwoofer’s distinctive spherical shape was chosen not just for its aesthetics, but because it is the most effective structure for withstanding internal pressure and vibration.

Its rigid sandwich cone drivers further enhance sound clarity and accuracy by minimizing unwanted resonance. Two 200mm drivers are powered by a compact 500-watt digital amplifier, which uses the aluminium housing as a heat sink for effective cooling. Soft rubber feet enhance physical stability during playback. Bass equalization is adjustable in three levels, directly influencing the system’s peak output capacity.

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Sound Quality

Bowers & Wilkins used advanced laser interferometry to analyze cabinet vibrations, revealing that the PV1D’s spherical design produces 20 to 40 decibels less vibration than traditional enclosures. In practice, this means the speaker housing remains remarkably still, even at high volumes—keeping energy focused where it matters: in the sound, not the structure.

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Summary

The Bowers & Wilkins PV1D isn’t just a visually striking subwoofer—it’s a technical masterpiece that balances innovative design with high-performance audio.

From its ultra-rigid spherical casing to its intelligent DSP system and powerful amplification, every aspect of the PV1D is engineered for clean, precise, and commanding bass reproduction. Whether you’re watching movies or listening to music, this subwoofer delivers a truly immersive low-frequency experience.

Level stability is limited, but the basses of B&W’s small PV1D speaker is impressive. The spherical subwoofer delivered very clear, detailed and accurate sounds. However, in larger home theatres, it is worth using at least a couple. The bass notes were controlled. Compared to its size, this speaker, with a special design, has shown surprising strength. However, if you want real, deep, wall-shattering bass, choose a subwoofer of a larger size and performance, such as the SVS SB16 Ultra subwoofer.