In this review, we will be comparing Airmotiv XS12e and R-101SW, 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-101SW first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e and Klipsch R-101SW compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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.Both Emotiva Airmotiv XS12eand Klipsch R-101SW have a single woofer setup however the Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-101SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Airmotiv XS12e has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Airmotiv XS12e can go slightly deeper then the R-101SW's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e and Klipsch R-101SW 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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-101SW'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-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm ( 14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch ) .
Klipsch R-101SW is 42mm narrower and 30mm shorter than Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e but it is also 129mm deeper.
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-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2. The Airmotiv XS12e requires 16% less surface area than the R-101SW 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e weighs 19.05kg / 41.9lbs and the Klipsch R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs. This makes the Airmotiv XS12e 37% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how Airmotiv XS12e and R-101SW'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
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200k Hz
vs
160k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1600cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
370mm
vs
400mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Emotiva Airmotiv XS12e |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
29.5-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Treated paper |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
400.0mm (15.7") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
400.0mm (15.7") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15.7") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
19.05kg (41.9lbs) |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
| 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 |