In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and Debut 2.0 SUB3030, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and ELAC. 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-1200SW and ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Klipsch RP-1200SWand ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz whereas Debut 2.0 SUB3030 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Debut 2.0 SUB3030's min frequency of 25Hz.
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 RP-1200SW has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 have Passive radiator type enclosure.
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-1200SW's and ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1200SW has external dimensions of 482.0 x 432.0 x 659.0mm (18-15/16inch x 17inch x 25-15/16inch) whereas ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 has external dimensions of 462.0 x 451.0 x 464.0mm (18-3/16 x 17-3/4 x 18-1/4inch).
ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 is 20mm shorter and 195mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-1200SW but it is also 19mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 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 RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2 and base area of the ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 is approximately 2092.6cm2 / 324.4inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 36% more surface area than the Debut 2.0 SUB3030 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-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs and the ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 weighs 22.80kg / 50.2lbs. This makes the RP-1200SW 37% heavier than the Debut 2.0 SUB3030.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and Debut 2.0 SUB3030's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
462mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2092cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
25-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Doped Paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
462.0mm (18.2") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
451.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
464.0mm (18.3") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
22.80kg (50.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive radiator |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
1 Year |
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 | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 400W RMS, about 1dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch RP-1200SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 | ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 is about 30% 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 | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW carries 5 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 costs less - $900 against $999, about 10% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030
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 RP-1200SW measures better, ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 costs about 10% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3030 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.