In this review, we will be comparing Studio 650P and R-101SW, 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 Studio 650P and Klipsch R-101SW 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 Studio 650Pand Klipsch R-101SW have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Studio 650P has a frequency range of 35-150 Hz whereas R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the R-101SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Studio 650P's min frequency of 35Hz.
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
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 Studio 650P's and Klipsch R-101SW's external dimensions. JBL Studio 650P has external dimensions of 444.5 x 395.3 x 458.8mm () whereas Klipsch R-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm (14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 37.3mm narrower and 74.5mm shorter than JBL Studio 650P but it is also 70.2mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-101SW is 70mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. JBL Studio 650P is 75mm 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 JBL Studio 650P is approximately 1813.6cm2 / 281.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2. The Studio 650P requires 4% less surface area than the R-101SW 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 Studio 650P weighs 10.43kg / 22.9lbs and the Klipsch R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs. This makes the R-101SW 33% heavier than the Studio 650P.
Here is a comparison of how Studio 650P and R-101SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Base Surface Area |
1813cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
400USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
370mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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-101SW stands 70mm further into the room. JBL Studio 650P is 75mm taller.
| General |
JBL Studio 650P |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
| Brand |
JBL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
35-150 Hz |
29.5-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.5mm (17.5") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
395.3mm (15.6") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
458.8mm (18.1") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
10.43kg (22.9lbs) |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 R-101SW goes deeper - 30Hz against 35Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 35Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | JBL Studio 650P has the bigger amplifier - 250W against 150W RMS, about 2.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| 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 | A | JBL Studio 650P 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 | A | JBL Studio 650P costs less - $400 against $499, about 20% less. |
A JBL Studio 650P B Klipsch R-101SW
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?
JBL Studio 650P has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.