In this review, we will be comparing R-100SW and Minx X301, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Cambridge Audio. 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 Klipsch R-100SW and Cambridge Audio Minx X301 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 Klipsch R-100SWand Cambridge Audio Minx X301 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-100SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Cambridge Audio Minx X301 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz whereas Minx X301 has a frequency range of 31-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 31Hz, the Minx X301 can go slightly deeper then the R-100SW's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
Cabinet Type
The Klipsch R-100SW has a Bass reflex type cabinet. On the other hand the Cambridge Audio Minx X301 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. 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.
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 Klipsch R-100SW's and Cambridge Audio Minx X301's external dimensions. 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) whereas Cambridge Audio Minx X301 has external dimensions of 312.0 x 267.0 x 310.0mm (12-1/4 x 10-1/2 x 12-3/16inch).
Klipsch R-100SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 53mm wider, 60mm taller and 149mm deeper than Cambridge Audio Minx X301.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-100SW and Cambridge Audio Minx X301 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-100SW and Cambridge Audio Minx X301 Size and External Dimensions
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 Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is approximately 827.7cm2 / 128.3inch2. The R-100SW requires 77% more surface area than the Minx X301 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the Cambridge Audio Minx X301 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the R-100SW 45% heavier than the Minx X301.
Here is a comparison of how R-100SW and Minx X301's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Cambridge Audio Minx X301
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-100SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-100SW:
- Powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio Minx X301?
Here are the items that come with the Minx X301:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Installation Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Low Frequency Response |
31 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
312mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
827cm2
vs
1468cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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-100SW needs about 77% more floor area. Klipsch R-100SW stands 149mm further into the room. Klipsch R-100SW is 60mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch R-100SW |
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-120 Hz |
31-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
312.0mm (12.3") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
267.0mm (10.5") |
| Depth |
459.0mm (18.1") |
310.0mm (12.2") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (32Hz vs 31Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 150W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch R-100SW moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch R-100SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. 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 | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is about 53% 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 | Cambridge Audio Minx X301 carries 3 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 | Klipsch R-100SW costs less - $275 against $549, about 50% less. |
A Klipsch R-100SW B Cambridge Audio Minx X301
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?
Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 100% more. Klipsch R-100SW is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $549 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Cambridge Audio Minx X301 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.