In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and SPL-150, 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 RP-1200SW and Klipsch SPL-150 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-1200SWand Klipsch SPL-150 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1200SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-150 features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz whereas SPL-150 has a frequency range of 18-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go slightly deeper then the SPL-150's min frequency of 18Hz.
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 Klipsch SPL-150 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 Klipsch SPL-150'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 Klipsch SPL-150 has external dimensions of 547.0 x 496.0 x 604.0mm (21-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 23-3/4inch).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is 64mm narrower and 65mm shorter than Klipsch SPL-150 but it is also 55mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Klipsch SPL-150 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Klipsch SPL-150 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 Klipsch SPL-150 is approximately 2995.8cm2 / 464.3inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 5% less surface area than the SPL-150 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 RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs and the Klipsch SPL-150 weighs 34.27kg / 75.4lbs. This makes the SPL-150 10% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and SPL-150's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
138 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
482mm
vs
547mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2846cm2
vs
2995cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 55mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-150 is 65mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
Klipsch SPL-150 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
18-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
547.0mm (21.5") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
496.0mm (19.5") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
604.0mm (23.8") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
34.27kg (75.4lbs) |
| 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 |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
2 Years |
Both are Klipsch, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (17Hz vs 18Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (400W vs 400W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch SPL-150 moves more air: 15" against 12" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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. |
| Warranty | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $1,399, about 21% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B Klipsch SPL-150
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.
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.