In this review, we will be comparing Stage 200P and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from JBL 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 JBL Stage 200P 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.JBL Stage 200Pand Klipsch R-100SW have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Stage 200P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz.
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 JBL Stage 200P has a Passive Radiator type cabinet. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or 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 JBL Stage 200P's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. JBL Stage 200P has external dimensions of 362.0 x 351.0 x 388.0mm (14-1/4inch x 13-13/16inch x 15-1/4inch) 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).
JBL Stage 200P is 10mm shorter and 71mm less deeper than Klipsch R-100SW but it is also 31mm wider.
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 JBL Stage 200P is approximately 1361.9cm2 / 211.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The Stage 200P requires 7% less surface area than the R-100SW 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 JBL Stage 200P weighs 14.45kg / 31.8lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the Stage 200P 32% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how Stage 200P and R-100SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
362mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1361cm2
vs
1468cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
499USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-100SW stands 71mm further into the room.
| General |
JBL Stage 200P |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
JBL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-150 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
362.0mm (14.3") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
351.0mm (13.8") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
388.0mm (15.3") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
14.45kg (31.8lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Espresso,Latte |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
Different price classes - JBL Stage 200P costs roughly 1.8x what Klipsch R-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (32Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (150W vs 150W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Warranty | B | Klipsch R-100SW carries 2 years on parts against 1 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 $499, about 45% less. |
A JBL Stage 200P 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?
Klipsch R-100SW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $499 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.