Bass through a narrow opening
ISW-3 can fit in a wall, ceiling or prepared cabinet.
The single Bowers & Wilkins ISW-3 subwoofer needs a 334 × 78 mm cut-out for its baffle. The visible face measures 345 × 89 mm and is 6 mm thick. Behind the panel, its enclosure takes 470 × 330 × 235 mm: the narrow visible slot does not represent the full volume to reserve. It can be used in a wall, ceiling or cabinet once structure and cable route have been checked.
Key features
- 334 × 78 mm cut-out; 345 × 89 × 6 mm baffle; 470 × 330 × 235 mm cabinet.
- Twin 165 mm paper/Aramid Fibre woofers; 22-litre volume.
- 8-ohm nominal impedance (6.3-ohm minimum); 250 W; CDA-4D required.
- Paintable frame and grille; wall or ceiling installation.
Two drivers and mandatory amplification
Two 165 mm paper and Aramid Fibre woofers operate in a balanced arrangement to limit vibration. The braced MDF enclosure has a 22-litre volume. External CDA-4D amplification is required, so allow for its rack position and a speaker-level connection to ISW-3. Compared with ISW-4, this model has a much narrower opening and smaller drivers, 165 rather than 200 mm.
Load and finish
Nominal impedance is 8 ohms with a 6.3-ohm minimum and the power rating is 250 W. Response at -3 dB covers 25 to 222 Hz and the -6 dB range 19 to 400 Hz. Net weight is 12.5 kg. Its frame and grille are paintable to blend with the surface. Before fitting, check enclosure dimensions behind the cut-out rather than only the baffle measurements.
Its flexible placement does not remove the need for a full 235 mm of cabinet depth: a cavity sized only for the front baffle is insufficient. The balanced woofers reduce the tendency to excite the mounting structure, but it must still support 12.5 kg. In kitchen cabinetry, leave a practical route to the wiring after installation and keep the paintable grille accessible.
