In this review, we will be comparing Nostala FT12 and R-121SW, 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 R-121SW 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 R-121SW 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 R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Nostala FT12 can go slightly deeper then the R-121SW's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 R-121SW 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.
Klipsch R-121SW Port
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 R-121SW'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 R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch).
Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 20mm narrower and 24mm less deeper than Klipsch R-121SW but it is also 72mm 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 R-121SW needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 24mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 72mm 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 R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The Nostala FT12 requires 9% less surface area than the R-121SW 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 R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the Nostala FT12 93% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how Nostala FT12 and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1966cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
423mm
vs
495mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
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 R-121SW needs about 10% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 24mm further into the room. Emotiva Nostala FT12 is 72mm taller.
| General |
Emotiva Nostala FT12 |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Emotiva |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
495.0mm (19.5") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
387.0mm (15.2") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
508.0mm (20") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
30.84kg (67.8lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| 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 Nostala FT12 costs roughly 3x what Klipsch R-121SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 goes deeper - 25Hz against 28Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 28Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 200W RMS, about 6dB 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. |
| Warranty | A | Emotiva Nostala FT12 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-121SW costs less - $599 against $1,799, about 67% less. |
A Emotiva Nostala FT12 B Klipsch R-121SW
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 Nostala FT12 measures better, Klipsch R-121SW costs about 67% 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 $599 each, two Klipsch R-121SW cost about $1,198 against $1,799 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.