In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200CSW and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and KEF. 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 RP-1200CSW and KEF KUBE 10b 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 RP-1200CSWand KEF KUBE 10b have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1200CSW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the KEF KUBE 10b features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1200CSW has a frequency range of 17-160 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200CSW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the KUBE 10b's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 RP-1200CSW and KEF KUBE 10b have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. 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.
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 RP-1200CSW's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1200CSW has external dimensions of 399.5 x 376.9 x 416.1mm (15.73inch x 14.84inch x 16.38inch) whereas KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch).
Klipsch RP-1200CSW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20.9mm wider, 27.5mm taller and 19.1mm deeper than KEF KUBE 10b.
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 RP-1200CSW is approximately 1568.3cm2 / 243.1inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The RP-1200CSW requires 11% more surface area than the KUBE 10b 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 RP-1200CSW weighs 21.64kg / 47.6lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the RP-1200CSW 24% heavier than the KUBE 10b.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200CSW and KUBE 10b's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
140 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
372mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1413cm2
vs
1568cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
750USD
vs
850USD
|
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 RP-1200CSW needs about 11% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200CSW stands 19mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1200CSW is 28mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200CSW |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
17-160 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.5mm (15.7") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
376.9mm (14.8") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
416.1mm (16.4") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
21.64kg (47.6lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
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 | A | Klipsch RP-1200CSW goes deeper - 17Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RP-1200CSW has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 300W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1200CSW 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 sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | B | KEF KUBE 10b costs less - $750 against $850, about 12% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200CSW B KEF KUBE 10b
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?
Klipsch RP-1200CSW leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. KEF KUBE 10b is the one to take if it does not.
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.