In this review, we will be comparing Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and SPL-120, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Aperion and Klipsch. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Klipsch SPL-120 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwooferand Klipsch SPL-120 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer has a frequency range of 19-195 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 19Hz, the Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SPL-120's min frequency of 24Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
Cabinet Type
Both Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and Klipsch SPL-120 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer has external dimensions of 469.9 x 401.3 x 439.9mm (18.5 x 15.8 x 17.32inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch).
Klipsch SPL-120 is 26.3mm narrower and 19.9mm shorter than Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer but it is also 100.1mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch SPL-120 needs about 15% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch SPL-120 is 100mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is 20mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is approximately 1765.3cm2 / 273.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer requires 13% less surface area than the SPL-120 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer weighs 24.49kg / 53.9lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer 20% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer and SPL-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer
 Low Frequency Response |
19 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
195 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1765cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Height |
450mm
vs
469mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Klipsch SPL-120 needs about 15% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 100mm further into the room. Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is 20mm taller.
| General |
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
300 watts |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
19-195 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
469.9mm (18.5") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
401.3mm (15.8") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
439.9mm (17.3") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
24.49kg (53.9lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer costs roughly 1.6x what Klipsch SPL-120 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer goes deeper - 19Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (250W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | B | Klipsch SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $799, about 38% less. |
A Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer B Klipsch SPL-120
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Aperion Daedalus DS12 Class D 12" Powered Subwoofer is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 60% more. Klipsch SPL-120 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $499 each, two Klipsch SPL-120 cost about $998 against $799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.