In this review, we will be comparing SUB6 v2 and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Kanto 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 Kanto SUB6 v2 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 Kanto SUB6 v2and Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the Kanto SUB6 v2's woofer is 6-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SUB6 v2 has a frequency range of 40-175 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 SUB6 v2's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Kanto SUB6 v2 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the Klipsch R-121SW 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.
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 Kanto SUB6 v2's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Kanto SUB6 v2 has external dimensions of 241.0 x 220.0 x 220.0mm (9-1/2 x 8-11/16 x 8-11/16inch) 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 187mm wider, 182mm taller and 312mm deeper than Kanto SUB6 v2.
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 347% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 312mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-121SW is 182mm 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 Kanto SUB6 v2 is approximately 484.0cm2 / 75.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The SUB6 v2 requires 78% 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 Kanto SUB6 v2 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the R-121SW 220% heavier than the SUB6 v2.
Here is a comparison of how SUB6 v2 and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
241mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
484cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
40 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 347% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 312mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 182mm taller.
| General |
Kanto SUB6 v2 |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
100 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-175 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
Variable low pass |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
241.0mm (9.5") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
220.0mm (8.7") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
220.0mm (8.7") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch R-121SW goes deeper - 28Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-121SW has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 100W RMS, about 3dB 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 6" is 4x the cone area, not the 2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Kanto SUB6 v2 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch R-121SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Kanto SUB6 v2 is about 87% 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 | Kanto SUB6 v2 costs less - $300 against $599, about 50% less. |
A Kanto SUB6 v2 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, Kanto SUB6 v2 costs about 50% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch R-121SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Kanto SUB6 v2 is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $300 each, two Kanto SUB6 v2 cost about $600 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.