Audio Pro SW-5 black
Overview
Adding bass to a pair of compact speakers quickly raises a question of space, and that is a constraint this Swedish subwoofer takes seriously. A cube measuring 27.5 cm on each side, a 20 cm driver and 150 W of amplification are enough to reach down to 35 Hz, well below where small speakers roll off. It connects to any source equipped with a subwoofer output, whether for hi-fi or home theater.
An understated cube that blends into the room
The SW-5 measures 275 × 275 × 290 mm and weighs 7.8 kg. It comes in black or white, with clean, unadorned lines. Its nearly cubic shape lets it fit beside a TV stand, sofa or bookcase without getting in the way. Placement is also more flexible than with a conventional speaker: below about 100 Hz, the ear has difficulty pinpointing where sound comes from, so the subwoofer can sit away from the main speakers without revealing the source of the bass.
Audio Pro has been making subwoofers for more than forty years, long before its connected speakers. The SW-5 is the new generation of the Addon SUB, with a revised digital amplifier, and is the smaller of the brand’s two current subwoofers, below the SW-10.
A 20 cm driver in a bass-reflex enclosure
The 20 cm driver is a long-excursion model, meaning its cone can move a considerable distance back and forth to displace more air. It sits in a bass-reflex enclosure: a tuned port extends the low-frequency response by harnessing the resonance of the air inside the cabinet. This is what takes the response down to 35 Hz in such a small enclosure. The trade-off is that a bass-reflex design rolls off more sharply below its tuning frequency than a sealed subwoofer. And a 20 cm driver in a cube of this size is better suited to supporting speakers in an average-sized living room than to filling a large space with very low frequencies at high volume.
The Class D amplifier delivers 150 W and is controlled by digital signal processing (DSP) that manages the driver’s operation. Class D generates little heat and uses little power: 6.9 W in operation and less than 0.5 W in standby.
Simple controls to match it to your speakers
Everything is adjusted at the rear using physical controls. The crossover frequency, adjustable from 50 to 130 Hz, sets the point above which the subwoofer falls silent. Set it roughly where the main speakers’ bass begins to roll off: higher for small bookshelf speakers, lower for more capable models. The phase switch, set to 0 or 180°, corrects any mismatch between the subwoofer cone and those of the speakers; the right setting is the one that produces the most bass at the listening position. A level knob then adjusts the amount of bass.
The SW-5 has no equalizer, night mode or control app. A three-position switch completes the controls: off, always on, and automatic mode, which wakes the subwoofer when a signal arrives and returns it to standby after more than twenty minutes without sound.
Sources that can connect to it
Connectivity is limited to an RCA subwoofer input. The SW-5 therefore needs a source with a dedicated output: a home theater receiver (LFE or “Sub Out” output), a stereo amplifier with a subwoofer output, or a connected speaker that has one, including Audio Pro models. It has no speaker-level input for connecting to speaker terminals, no output for linking a second subwoofer, and no wireless connection. A subwoofer cable is supplied along with the power cord.
With a home theater receiver, the receiver decides how bass is distributed between the speakers and the subwoofer, generally around 80 Hz. In that case, set the SW-5’s crossover frequency to its maximum so its own filter does not add to the receiver’s.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Design and amplification
- Compact active subwoofer
- Bass-reflex enclosure with port
- Woofer: 20 cm
- Built-in amplification: 150 W
- Tweeter: no
- Passive radiator: no
Audio performance and settings
- Frequency response: 35 to 130 Hz
- Adjustable crossover frequency: 50 to 130 Hz
- Bass and treble control: no
- Virtual surround mode: no
- Night mode: no
Connections
- Subwoofer input: 1 RCA input
- SUB OUT output: no
- Line input: no
- Digital coaxial input: no
- Digital optical input: no
- HDMI / ARC / TV: no
- Ethernet: no
- USB: no
Wireless connectivity and services
- Bluetooth: no
- Wi-Fi: no
- AirPlay / AirPlay 2: no
- Google Cast: no
- Spotify Connect: no
- Multiroom app: no
- Streaming services: no
Power consumption
- Standby: < 0.5 W
- In operation: 6.9 W
- Battery: no
Dimensions and weight
- Dimensions (width × height × depth): 275 × 275 × 290 mm
- Weight: 7.8 kg
Included accessories
- Power cable, subwoofer cable, user manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it be connected to a stereo amp that doesn't have a subwoofer output?
No, not directly. The SW-5 only accepts a line-level signal through its RCA input and has no high-level input for connecting to speaker outputs. If the amplifier has neither a subwoofer output nor a preamp output, you’ll need to use another source.
Where should I place it in the room?
A corner boosts the bass, sometimes too much, while positioning the subwoofer along a wall produces a more even result. The most reliable method is to temporarily place the subwoofer at the listening position, play a bass-heavy track, then move along the walls: the spot where the bass sounds clearest and most even is where the subwoofer should go.
Can it be placed in a TV cabinet or on a shelf?
Audio Pro requires at least 10 cm of clearance around the subwoofer for ventilation and, in a confined space, 20 cm above and on each side, as well as 10 cm at the back. An enclosed alcove also poses an acoustic problem: it forms a cavity that resonates and colors the bass. An open spot on the floor produces a cleaner sound.
Can two SW-5 units be installed?
Yes, provided the source has two subwoofer outputs, as is common on home theater receivers. The SW-5 has no output for daisy-chaining a second subwoofer. Placing two subwoofers in different parts of the room smooths out bass peaks and dips caused by the room’s dimensions.
When does it go into standby in automatic mode?
The subwoofer turns on as soon as it detects a signal at its input and returns to standby after more than twenty minutes of inactivity. Its standby power consumption remains below 0.5 W. When listening at very low volume, a subwoofer in automatic mode may not detect enough of a signal to stay on; the always-on setting solves this problem.
Do I need to buy a cable to connect it?
No, a subwoofer cable is included with the SW-5, along with the power cord. A longer or higher-quality cable may be worthwhile if the subwoofer needs to be placed far from the amplifier.
What should be adjusted first during setup?
Start with the level set low and the crossover set to suit the speakers, then try both phase settings and keep the one that gives the fullest bass at the listening position. Finish by gradually raising the level: a well-integrated subwoofer should go unnoticed; you’ll notice it most when you turn it off.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: 14580
