In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv XS12e and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Emotiva 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e and Klipsch R-100SW 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12eand Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv XS12e has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Airmotiv XS12e can go slightly deeper then the R-100SW's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e has external dimensions of 400.0 x 400.0 x 400.0mm (15-3/4 x 15-3/4 x 15-3/4inch) whereas Klipsch R-100SW has external dimensions of 372.0 x 320.0 x 459.0mm (14-5/8 x 12-9/16 x 18-1/16inch).
Klipsch R-100SW is 80mm narrower and 28mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e but it is also 59mm 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.
Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-100SW is 59mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e is 28mm 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e is approximately 1600.0cm2 / 248.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The Airmotiv XS12e requires 9% more surface area than the R-100SW 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e weighs 19.05kg / 41.9lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XS12e 75% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XS12e and R-100SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
372mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1600cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
699USD
|
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.
Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e needs about 9% more floor area. Klipsch R-100SW stands 59mm further into the room. Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e is 28mm taller.
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15.7") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
19.05kg (41.9lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e costs roughly 2.5x what Klipsch R-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e goes deeper - 28Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 150W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e 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. |
| Warranty | A | Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-100SW costs less - $275 against $699, about 61% less. |
A Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e B Klipsch R-100SW
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: Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 61% 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 $275 each, two Klipsch R-100SW cost about $550 against $699 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.