In this review, we will be comparing Stage 220P and SPL-120, 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 220P and Klipsch SPL-120 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 220Pand Klipsch SPL-120 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
Stage 220P has a frequency range of 29-150 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the SPL-120 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Stage 220P's min frequency of 29Hz.
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 220P 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 SPL-120 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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 JBL Stage 220P's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. JBL Stage 220P has external dimensions of 418.0 x 405.0 x 445.0mm (16-7/16inch x 15-15/16inch x 17-1/2inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch).
JBL Stage 220P is 32mm shorter and 95mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-120 but it is also 30mm 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 220P is approximately 1802.3cm2 / 279.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The Stage 220P requires 11% less surface area than the SPL-120 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 220P weighs 18.73kg / 41.2lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the SPL-120 9% heavier than the Stage 220P.
Here is a comparison of how Stage 220P and SPL-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1802cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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 SPL-120 needs about 12% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 95mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 32mm taller.
| General |
JBL Stage 220P |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
JBL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29-150 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polycellulose |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
405.0mm (15.9") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
445.0mm (17.5") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
18.73kg (41.2lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| 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 |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch SPL-120 goes deeper - 24Hz against 29Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 29Hz. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (250W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-120 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | JBL Stage 220P is about 17% 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. |
| Warranty | B | Klipsch SPL-120 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 SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $599, about 17% less. |
A JBL Stage 220P B Klipsch SPL-120
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 SPL-120 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take JBL Stage 220P if one of the "depends" rows describes your room.
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.