In this review, we will be comparing R-120SW and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by 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 Klipsch R-120SW and Klipsch R-100SW 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-120SWand Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-120SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-120SW has a frequency range of 29-120 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the R-120SW 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
Both Klipsch R-120SW and Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type cabinets.
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-120SW's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Klipsch R-120SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 358.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8 x 14-1/16 x 20-15/16inch) whereas 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).
Klipsch R-120SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 38mm wider, 51mm taller and 73mm deeper than Klipsch R-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-120SW and Klipsch R-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-120SW and Klipsch R-100SW 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-120SW is approximately 1904.6cm2 / 295.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The R-120SW requires 30% more surface area than the R-100SW 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-120SW weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the R-120SW 29% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-120SW and R-100SW'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-120SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-120SW:
- Powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-100SW:
- Powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
372mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1904cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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-120SW needs about 30% more floor area. Klipsch R-120SW stands 73mm further into the room. Klipsch R-120SW is 51mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch R-120SW |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29-120 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| 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 |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference (R) Subwoofer range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch R-120SW goes deeper - 29Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch R-120SW 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 | A | Klipsch R-120SW 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 32% 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 | Klipsch R-100SW costs less - $275 against $599, about 54% less. |
A Klipsch R-120SW B Klipsch R-100SW
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-120SW measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 54% 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 $599 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.