In this review, we will be comparing R-100SW and C 912, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Jamo. 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 Jamo C 912 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 Jamo C 912 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-100SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Jamo C 912 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz whereas C 912 has a frequency range of 29-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the C 912 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 Jamo C 912 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 Jamo C 912'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 Jamo C 912 has external dimensions of 461.0 x 358.0 x 507.0mm (18-1/8 x 14-1/16 x 19-15/16inch).
Jamo C 912 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 38mm wider, 89mm taller and 48mm deeper than Klipsch R-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-100SW and Jamo C 912 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-100SW and Jamo C 912 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 Jamo C 912 is approximately 1815.1cm2 / 281.3inch2. The R-100SW requires 19% less surface area than the C 912 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 Jamo C 912 weighs 18.98kg / 41.8lbs. This makes the C 912 74% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-100SW and C 912'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 Jamo C 912?
Here are the items that come with the C 912:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Height |
372mm
vs
461mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1815cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
275USD
|
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.
Jamo C 912 needs about 24% more floor area. Jamo C 912 stands 48mm further into the room. Jamo C 912 is 89mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch R-100SW |
Jamo C 912 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-120 Hz |
29-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
300-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
372.0mm (14.6") |
461.0mm (18.1") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
459.0mm (18.1") |
507.0mm (20") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
18.98kg (41.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 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 | Jamo C 912 goes deeper - 29Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Jamo C 912 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 150W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Jamo C 912 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Jamo C 912 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 | Klipsch R-100SW is about 35% 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 | B | Jamo C 912 costs less - $229 against $275, about 17% less. |
A Klipsch R-100SW B Jamo C 912
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?
Jamo C 912 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Klipsch R-100SW if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. 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.