In this review, we will be comparing Nostala FT12 and RP-1200SW, 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 Nostala FT12 and Klipsch RP-1200SW 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.Emotiva Nostala FT12and Klipsch RP-1200SW have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Nostala FT12 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Nostala FT12's min frequency of 25Hz.
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 Nostala FT12 and Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 Emotiva Nostala FT12's and Klipsch RP-1200SW's external dimensions. Emotiva Nostala FT12 has external dimensions of 495.0 x 387.0 x 508.0mm (19-1/2 x 15-1/4 x 20inch) whereas Klipsch RP-1200SW has external dimensions of 482.0 x 432.0 x 659.0mm (18-15/16inch x 17inch x 25-15/16inch).
Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 45mm narrower and 151mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-1200SW but it is also 13mm taller.
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 RP-1200SW needs about 45% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 151mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 13mm 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 Nostala FT12 is approximately 1966.0cm2 / 304.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2. The Nostala FT12 requires 31% less surface area than the RP-1200SW 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 Nostala FT12 weighs 30.84kg / 67.8lbs and the Klipsch RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs. This makes the RP-1200SW 1% heavier than the Nostala FT12.
Here is a comparison of how Nostala FT12 and RP-1200SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1966cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
482mm
vs
495mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1799USD
|
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 RP-1200SW needs about 45% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 151mm further into the room. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 13mm taller.
| General |
Emotiva Nostala FT12 |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
16.5-138 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
800-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
495.0mm (19.5") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Width |
387.0mm (15.2") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
508.0mm (20") |
659.0mm (25.9") |
| Weight |
30.84kg (67.8lbs) |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Ebony |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
Different price classes - Emotiva Nostala FT12 costs roughly 1.6x what Klipsch RP-1200SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch RP-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 400W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Emotiva Nostala FT12 is about 29% 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 RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $1,799, about 39% less. |
A Emotiva Nostala FT12 B Klipsch RP-1200SW
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. 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 $1,100 each, two Klipsch RP-1200SW cost about $2,200 against $1,799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Emotiva Nostala FT12 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.