Punching above its Weight
It’s pretty much mandatory to pair a subwoofer into any kind of audio setup in today’s world. The performance gains from the addition of a subwoofer are pretty high. A subwoofer allows for bass bandwidth to be deeper, whilst adding more weight. It also helps to flush out low end which can, in some speaker’s design, be a little anaemic. The additional bass driver can also relieve the speakers of bass duties. Allowing speakers to focus on the midrange and high frequencies for better control and resolution.
Recently with AJ from The Experts Group handing over a pair of the amazing Silver 100 7G for review, a discussion arose on the potential of adding a subwoofer to the Silver 100 7G. This discussion ended with the Monitor Audio Vestra W10 walking through my door and joining the speakers. What happened after that was an injection of pure excitement and fun! Let’s go over the details on Vestra W10, as well as my experience using it over its review period.
Getting Started!
The challenge of setting up a subwoofer in a Hi-Fi system can range from super easy to in some cases near impossible. This is due to the wide range of parameters which span a multitude of factors that can either help or hurt the intended result. In this review of the Vestra W10, I will be taking a slightly different approach. I will look at some parameters of the sub and where it sits when it comes to subwoofer integration.
First up, Design.
The Vestra W10 is a fully sealed sub hosting a 10-inch Ceramic Coated Aluminium Magnesium (C-CAM) driver. This driver is mated to a class D 250-watt amplifier. The driver sits behind a stiff removable grill which is a thick black cloth. On the bottom left corner is a small LED light that indicates status. The right corner is where the Monitor Audio logo sits, for a very clean look.
The overall cabinet itself is quite small, being 344mm x 330mm x 360 mm (W/H/D) in its dimensions. It’s also rather light at 13.3kg. This makes the sub convenient when it comes to positioning. The white however does look less discreet compared to the black version. As the contrasting grill which is black does stand out quite a bit, so that’s something to take not off. With the grill off, the driver is an aesthetic match with Monitor Audio’s Bronze series speakers.
Considering its size and looks, this sub will be rather easy to tuck away in a hidden spot if you prefer to not have it visible. On the other hand, if you want to show it off, the looks are smart enough that it will look great as well, especially with the grill off. A look that flows beautifully when paired within the same brand family.
Next, we look at Performance
The Vestra’s sealed design is preferred when it comes to use for music, as it provides a punchier and faster bass response. The challenge however is achieving control and nuance as a sealed sub requires more power than a ported design to keep the driver under control. Another challenge is overall weight, which sealed designs can struggle with. The Vestra doesn’t break any physics laws on this front, fitting precisely into the above description.
However, a positive angle to consider is its compact build. Placement is super flexible and if positioned utilising the rooms features to reinforce it, it is possible to obtain a more satisfying sound. The sub worked perfectly in my room which is roughly 13ft by 12ft. Bass was taut, punchy and sufficiently weighty. It also kept pace well with all speakers it was tested with which was not limited to just the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G.
The sub was also capable of a good amount of nuance which complements speakers that have higher resolution. It is able to add bass heft and punch, avoiding colouring the ever-sensitive midrange. This sub is not a giant killer and is not going to magically outperform a premium full range speaker. But considering its affordable price, it is able to keep up and work with the likes of better speakers. I had these playing with my KEF LS50 and Falcon LS3/5a’s with rather pleasant results. Not a perfect pairing, but still very enjoyable.
In my listening, this sub suits small to medium sized rooms to perform optimally. If your room is rather large and has issues such as multiple openings or room modes, then consider multiplying the number of subs. A very doable thing given the affordable price tag that comes with the Vestra W10. Else you may need to consider a larger sub.
Integrates into a system…of any kind
This is where the real fun kicks in. To obtain all the above requirements while maintaining an optimum footprint while keeping the price low, is frankly impossible. A subwoofer will need to find a compromise point in order to meet one of the above criteria. Even with premium subwoofers at this price, there will always be caveats. The trick is to find the compromise worth taking in order to achieve the desired result. With the Vestra W10, the key trade-off is sheer output and its inability to hit the deepest notes convincingly.
If the objective is to flesh out a pair of entry to mid-range bookshelf speakers in a smallish room, then the Vestra W10 will be a great option. The sub injects much needed low-end bass which is almost certainly missing from most bookshelf’s especially in this price bracket. The sub provides excellent speed and nuance without bloat which can easily muddy the overall sound. If more weight is required, just add another unit, Price wise its compelling!
The second scenario will be for the consumer with a soundbar that doesn’t come with a subwoofer, but has an output for one. Usually when it comes to movie watching, these bars tend to run out of steam pretty quick and the addition of a subwoofer will remedy this instantly. The Vestra W10 is perfect for this as the design makes integration into a soundbar easy. You can use the DSP presets at the rear to toggle between signal curves. This gives you a degree of tweaking to adjust the sound to suit tastes and environment.
The Vestra W10 adds meat to the bone when watching movies, with much needed punch and slam to add impact to high octane action scenes. Do be aware however that if the room is a little large it may start to thin out dramatically. The Vestra W10 is also a great sub to pair into a small multichannel system centred around an AV receiver. If you want more slam add more units either through management via the AV Receiver or secondary controllers like a Mini DSP.
The Monitor Audio W10 subwoofer is in summary a great starting point for those looking to dabble with adding one into a system. Its pocket friendly price, flexibility by design and DSP tweaks make it a versatile subwoofer with potential for easy repurpose should needs change. If you’re starting with an entry level system or mid-tier looking to explore the addition of a subwoofer, or perhaps start or expand in the world of home theatre, the Monitor Audio Vestra W10 is a something you should seriously consider. The Monitor Audio Vestra W10 active subwoofer retails for RM 2,850.00 (RM 2,600.00 for the black) and comes with a 5 year warranty.
For more information on the Vestra W10 and other products by Monitor Audio please visit The Experts Sound showroom in Midvalley, The Gardens Mall or contact them at 6012 646 2738
