Home > Consumer Reviews > Wharfedale Topaz SW-8 150-Watt Subwoofer

I have been looking for a low priced sub w/out low performance. What really got me to buy this sub was the editoral review, because there was only one costumer review, and i have to admit, i had my doubts. Fianlly arrived, hooked up in 5 minutes, and was blown away (literally) by the deep, powerful dynamics this 8" sub could produce. This sub is all and more the editoral review said, and i recommend this subwoofer to anyone who wants deep, tight, powerful bass w/ a punch!

Somehow what had been intended as a query of sorts with respect to the amplifier in the Topaz SW-8 (75 vs. 150 watts) became a product review ("Watt's what?") -- I hadn't even seen or heard the actual product. Forgive me. I now own one -- purchased ... at a great price and with benefit of a gift certificate and free shipping at the time. I'm very happy with the performance. It does everything I'd hoped -- it can make the floor go thump and it can make nice warm low sounds that are actual notes and not just some sudden blurp as of a gaseous discharge (the apparent knock on certain ported subs). I recall some review referring to the musicality of the Wharfedale. I think this true, accurate, correct. Power, at 150 watts, drives the 8" speaker with strength and there is precision and balance in the way it sounds. It has added a lot to CDs and made various movies get BIG.

Not what I expected at all, but it had the necessary bells and whistles and set up was easy, so I give it 2 stars. The problem was it sound like someone's stomach was growling in the corner...Where's the BEEF!!! I tried switching the phases, tweaking the crossover frequency, and increasing the output from the receiver and nothing made it cough up the goods. Based on the specs, I thought I'd be getting a 150-watt amp in an 8" woofer, but the documentation still says 75-watt. It seems that the manufacturer can cover up the specs on the box with a sticker that says 150-watts and make it sound louder. I don't doubt that they put in the new amp, but I was not hearing what I expected from a 150-watt subwoofer. I was so disappointed. My wife even mocked me for getting such a wussy woofer, for my new home theater system. But I have since ordered a 250-watt sub from another manufacturer and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I'll be rumbling the theater room in no time and she'll be cowering in the corner! (EVIL LAUGH) My suggestion is if you are having a hard time rationalizing spending a little more of the budget for a bigger sub - DO IT.

Wharfedale speakers have always impressed me and the Topaz SW-8 is no exception. I have seen some less than glowing reviews but I believe if the sub is set up correctly in a quality system, it will shine. I am currently using it to augment the bass in a 2 channel system. I have it wired in-line with Wharfedale Sapphire SP-83's. I have a Luxman R-115 sending the signal and the results are defined, deep, musical notes in the register below what the SP-83's can deliver. The sub benefits from spikes and I have added 20lbs of weight inside the amp side of the enclosure. Setting the crossover took seconds, checked the phase and was completely satisfied with the musicality of the little sub. I believe a larger sub should be employed for explosive home theater and have not tried the SW-8 in that environment. For a 2 channel system in a small to medium sized room, it cannot be beat. I picked this one up for $40.

While this is not a real powerful subwoofer, it does nicely complement the Wharfedale bookshelf speakers (I have the "aniversity diamond 7" models. It doesn't make any disagreeable sounds, as some more powerful subs sometimes do.