In this review, we will be comparing R-100SW and HDI-1200P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and JBL. 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 JBL HDI-1200P 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 JBL HDI-1200P have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-100SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the JBL HDI-1200P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz whereas HDI-1200P has a frequency range of 28-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the HDI-1200P 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The Klipsch R-100SW has a Bass reflex type cabinet. On the other hand the JBL HDI-1200P 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 Klipsch R-100SW's and JBL HDI-1200P'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 JBL HDI-1200P has external dimensions of 480.0 x 412.0 x 493.0mm (18-7/8 x 16-3/16 x 19-3/8inch).
JBL HDI-1200P is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 92mm wider, 108mm taller and 34mm deeper than Klipsch R-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-100SW and JBL HDI-1200P in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-100SW and JBL HDI-1200P 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 JBL HDI-1200P is approximately 2031.2cm2 / 314.8inch2. The R-100SW requires 28% less surface area than the HDI-1200P 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 Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the JBL HDI-1200P weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the HDI-1200P 195% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-100SW and HDI-1200P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
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 JBL HDI-1200P?
Here are the items that come with the HDI-1200P:
- Powered Subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 16.5-feet Mono-RCA/Mono-Minijack cable
- 4 Spikes
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Height |
372mm
vs
480mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
2031cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
2310USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
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.
JBL HDI-1200P needs about 38% more floor area. JBL HDI-1200P stands 34mm further into the room. JBL HDI-1200P is 108mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch R-100SW |
JBL HDI-1200P |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-120 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Poly-plas |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
480.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Depth |
459.0mm (18.1") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - JBL HDI-1200P costs roughly 8.4x what Klipsch R-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | JBL HDI-1200P goes deeper - 28Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL HDI-1200P has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 150W RMS, about 8.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | JBL HDI-1200P moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-100SW is about 44% 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 | JBL HDI-1200P 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 | Klipsch R-100SW costs less - $275 against $2,310, about 88% less. |
A Klipsch R-100SW B JBL HDI-1200P
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: JBL HDI-1200P measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 88% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $2,310 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch R-100SW 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.