In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW 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 RP-1200SW 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.Klipsch RP-1200SWand JBL HDI-1200P 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 HDI-1200P has a frequency range of 28-150 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 HDI-1200P's min frequency of 28Hz.
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-1200SW and JBL HDI-1200P have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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 RP-1200SW's and JBL HDI-1200P'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 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).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 20mm wider, 2mm taller and 166mm deeper than JBL HDI-1200P.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and JBL HDI-1200P in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-1200P is approximately 2031.2cm2 / 314.8inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 40% more surface area than the HDI-1200P 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 JBL HDI-1200P weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the HDI-1200P 3% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and HDI-1200P's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
2310USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
480mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2031cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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-1200SW needs about 40% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 166mm further into the room.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
JBL HDI-1200P |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
1000 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
28-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Poly-plas |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
480.0mm (18.9") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
493.0mm (19.4") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - JBL HDI-1200P costs roughly 2.1x what Klipsch RP-1200SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | JBL HDI-1200P has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 400W RMS, about 4dB 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 | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| 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 | JBL HDI-1200P is about 29% 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 | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $2,310, about 52% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. 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 $1,100 each, two Klipsch RP-1200SW cost about $2,200 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 - JBL HDI-1200P 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.