In this review, we will be comparing Varro PS350-BK and SPL-100, 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 PS350-BK 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.Both ELAC Varro PS350-BKand Klipsch SPL-100 have a single woofer setup however the ELAC Varro PS350-BK's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-100 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Varro PS350-BK has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Varro PS350-BK can go slightly deeper then 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
Cabinet Type
Both ELAC Varro PS350-BK and Klipsch SPL-100 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 ELAC Varro PS350-BK's and Klipsch SPL-100's external dimensions. ELAC Varro PS350-BK has external dimensions of 439.0 x 418.0 x 420.0mm (17-1/4inch x 16-7/16inch x 16-1/2inch) 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 60mm narrower and 21mm shorter than ELAC Varro PS350-BK but it is also 58mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of ELAC Varro PS350-BK and Klipsch SPL-100 in scale.
Comparison image of ELAC Varro PS350-BK and Klipsch SPL-100 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 PS350-BK is approximately 1755.6cm2 / 272.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The Varro PS350-BK requires 3% more surface area than the SPL-100 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 PS350-BK weighs 21.86kg / 48.1lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the Varro PS350-BK 30% heavier than the SPL-100.
Here is a comparison of how Varro PS350-BK and SPL-100'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 PS350-BK?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Varro PS350-BK:
- Grill
- Power Cord
- 4 Spikes
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-100?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-100:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
27 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 |
418mm
vs
439mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1711cm2
vs
1755cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch SPL-100 stands 58mm further into the room. ELAC Varro PS350-BK is 21mm taller.
| General |
ELAC Varro PS350-BK |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
ELAC |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
350 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
700-watt RMS |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
439.0mm (17.3") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
418.0mm (16.5") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
420.0mm (16.5") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
21.86kg (48.1lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
Different price classes - ELAC Varro PS350-BK costs roughly 2x what Klipsch SPL-100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | ELAC Varro PS350-BK goes deeper - 24Hz against 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | ELAC Varro PS350-BK 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 | A | ELAC Varro PS350-BK moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-100 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Driver placement | depends | ELAC Varro PS350-BK fires down and Klipsch SPL-100 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-100 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-100 costs less - $399 against $799, about 50% less. |
A ELAC Varro PS350-BK 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?
The usual trade-off: ELAC Varro PS350-BK measures better, Klipsch SPL-100 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $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.