In this review, we will be comparing PULSE SUB and SPL-100, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Bluesound 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 Bluesound PULSE SUB and Klipsch SPL-100 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.Bluesound PULSE SUB and Klipsch SPL-100 have a totally different setup: the Bluesound PULSE SUB features 2 x 6.5-inch drivers whereas the SPL-100 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
PULSE SUB has a frequency range of whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of Hz, the PULSE SUB can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SPL-100's min frequency of 27Hz.
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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
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 Bluesound PULSE SUB's and Klipsch SPL-100's external dimensions. Bluesound PULSE SUB has external dimensions of 330 x 292 x 315 mm () whereas Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch).
Klipsch SPL-100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 66mm wider, 88mm taller and 163mm deeper than Bluesound PULSE SUB.
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-100 needs about 86% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch SPL-100 is 163mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch SPL-100 is 88mm 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 Bluesound PULSE SUB is approximately 919.8cm2 / 142.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The PULSE SUB requires 46% less surface area than the SPL-100 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 Bluesound PULSE SUB weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the SPL-100 68% heavier than the PULSE SUB.
Here is a comparison of how PULSE SUB and SPL-100's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 App-Based Control |
BluOS Controller (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
330mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
919cm2
vs
1711cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
| Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1299USD
|
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-100 needs about 86% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-100 stands 163mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-100 is 88mm taller.
| General |
Bluesound PULSE SUB |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
Bluesound |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
|
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
330.0mm (13") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
292.0mm (11.5") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
315.0mm (12.4") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Matte satin paint |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black, White/Tan |
n/a |
| Grille |
Removable magnetic |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Bluesound PULSE SUB costs roughly 3.3x what Klipsch SPL-100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Amplifier power | A | Bluesound PULSE SUB has the bigger amplifier - 350W against 200W RMS, about 2.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 6.5" against 10"). |
| Cabinet size | depends | Bluesound PULSE SUB is about 58% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | B | Klipsch SPL-100 costs less - $399 against $1,299, about 69% less. |
A Bluesound PULSE SUB B Klipsch SPL-100
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?
Bluesound PULSE SUB is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 3.3x the price. Klipsch SPL-100 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 $399 each, two Klipsch SPL-100 cost about $798 against $1,299 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Bluesound PULSE SUB is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.