In this review, we will be comparing Varro DS1200-GB and SPL-120, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from ELAC 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 ELAC Varro DS1200-GB 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.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.ELAC Varro DS1200-GB and Klipsch SPL-120 have a totally different setup: the ELAC Varro DS1200-GB features 2 x 12-inch drivers whereas the SPL-120 features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Varro DS1200-GB has a frequency range of 17-150 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Varro DS1200-GB 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The ELAC Varro DS1200-GB has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the Klipsch SPL-120 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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 ELAC Varro DS1200-GB's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. ELAC Varro DS1200-GB has external dimensions of 423.0 x 483.0 x 418.0mm (16-5/8inch x 19inch x 16-7/16inch) 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).
ELAC Varro DS1200-GB is 27mm shorter and 122mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-120 but it is also 108mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Varro DS1200-GB and Klipsch SPL-120 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Varro DS1200-GB and Klipsch SPL-120 Size and External Dimensions
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 ELAC Varro DS1200-GB is approximately 2018.9cm2 / 312.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The Varro DS1200-GB requires 0% 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 ELAC Varro DS1200-GB weighs 38.00kg / 83.6lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the Varro DS1200-GB 86% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how Varro DS1200-GB and SPL-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of ELAC Varro DS1200-GB?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro DS1200-GB:
- 2 Grilles
- Power Cord
- 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-120?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-120:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
423mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2018cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
2999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ELAC Varro DS1200-GB |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1200 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-150 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
2400-watt RMS |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
483.0mm (19") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
418.0mm (16.5") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
38.00kg (83.6lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
n/a |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB goes deeper - 17Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 300W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB moves more air: 2 x 12" against 12" is 2x the cone area, not the 1.41x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch SPL-120 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Driver placement | depends | ELAC Varro DS1200-GB fires side and Klipsch SPL-120 fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Warranty | B | Klipsch SPL-120 carries 2 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $2,999, about 83% less. |
A ELAC Varro DS1200-GB 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?
The usual trade-off: ELAC Varro DS1200-GB measures better, Klipsch SPL-120 costs about 83% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch SPL-120 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, ELAC Varro DS1200-GB is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, ELAC Varro DS1200-GB is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.