The WATCH Dog is an ultra-high-performance, compact, passive subwoofer. There’s a widespread myth that since subwoofers operate in the low to subsonic frequency range, the sonic quality of the amplifier used to drive them is not critical. Couple that with the fact that FTC-mandated criteria for power amplifier specifications don’t apply to active subwoofers—a loophole which allows manufacturers to wildly inflate performance claims for what are, in many cases (no pun intended) the severely sub-standard amplifiers built into their subwoofers.


When designing the WATCH Dog, special attention was paid to the driver itself. This proprietary twelve-inch woofer was specifically optimized for the two bottom octaves of the audible bandwidth. The driver features a dual spider design, triangulating its geometry (the third variable being the cone’s surround) such that the high-excursion cone can only move pistonically. 

Awards

Reviewers' Choice: Edge of the Art
2001
Subwoofer of the Year
2002
Editor's Choice
2004
Reviewers' Choice: Edge of the Art
2004
Best Performance of the Year
2014
Subwoofer
2016
Positive Feedback Audio Oasis! Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019
Positive Feedback
2019
The Absolute Sound - Robert Harley's Best Of Show (Best Demo)
The Absolute Sound
2019
Munich 2022 - Best of Show Award
Audiophile Style
2022

Reviews

WATCH Dog
SoundStage!
Diamond Dogs: Adding Subs to a VTL/Wilson System
The Audio Beat 08/12/2016
Wilson Audio Specialties WATCH Dog Subwoofer
Sound Stage 04/01/2002
Wilson Audio ActivXO & WATCH Dog Subwoofer | Review
part-time audiophile 12/20/2020

WATCH Dog Subwoofer Technical Specifications

Released: 2006   
Retired: 2023

Drivers

Woofer
12 inch Dual Spider (30.48 cm)

Measurements

Sensitivity
83 dB @ 1 watt @ 1m @ 100 Hz
Nominal Impedance
8 ohms, minimum 5.6 ohms @ 1 kHz
Minimum Amplifier Power
200 watts (for theater applications)
Frequency Response
15Hz - 300Hz Room Average Response [RAR]

Overall Dimensions

Height (w/spikes)
26.875 inches, (68.26 cm)
Width
18 inches (45.72 cm)
Depth
25.125 inches (63.82 cm)
Total Shipping Weight (approx)
281 lbs (127.5 kg)