In this review, we will be comparing DB10 and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Fluance 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 Fluance DB10 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.Both Fluance DB10and Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the Fluance DB10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
DB10 has a frequency range of 38-180 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the R-121SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DB10's min frequency of 38Hz.
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 Fluance DB10 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 Fluance DB10's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Fluance DB10 has external dimensions of 406.0 x 302.0 x 399.0mm (16 x 11-7/8 x 15-11/16inch) 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).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 105mm wider, 17mm taller and 133mm deeper than Fluance DB10.
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 80% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 133mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-121SW is 17mm 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 Fluance DB10 is approximately 1205.0cm2 / 186.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The DB10 requires 44% 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 Fluance DB10 weighs 11.20kg / 24.6lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the R-121SW 43% heavier than the DB10.
Here is a comparison of how DB10 and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
406mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1205cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 80% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 133mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 17mm taller.
| General |
Fluance DB10 |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Fluance |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
45 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
38-180 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
45-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
120-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
40 Hz - 180 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
406.0mm (16") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
302.0mm (11.9") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
399.0mm (15.7") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
11.20kg (24.6lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Klipsch R-121SW costs roughly 3x what Fluance DB10 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch R-121SW goes deeper - 28Hz against 38Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 38Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-121SW has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 45W RMS, about 6.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch R-121SW 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Fluance DB10 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Fluance DB10 is about 47% 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 | A | Fluance DB10 costs less - $200 against $599, about 67% less. |
A Fluance DB10 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: Klipsch R-121SW measures better, Fluance DB10 costs about 67% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Fluance DB10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $200 each, two Fluance DB10 cost about $400 against $599 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.