In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and Defiance V12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Paradigm. 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Defiance V12 has a frequency range of 23-200 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 Defiance V12's min frequency of 23Hz.
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 Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12'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 Paradigm Defiance V12 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 421.0 x 486.0mm (17-7/8inch x 16-9/16inch x 19-1/8inch).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 11mm wider, 27mm taller and 173mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance V12.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance V12 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 is approximately 2046.1cm2 / 317.1inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 39% more surface area than the Defiance V12 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 Paradigm Defiance V12 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs. This makes the RP-1200SW 63% heavier than the Defiance V12.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and Defiance V12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
23 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
455mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2046cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
779USD
vs
1100USD
|
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-1200SW needs about 39% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 173mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 27mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
Paradigm Defiance V12 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
120 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
23-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
455.0mm (17.9") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
421.0mm (16.6") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
486.0mm (19.1") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
| 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 |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
3 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-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 23Hz. 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-1200SW has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 120W RMS, about 5.2dB 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Paradigm Defiance V12 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm Defiance V12 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. |
| Warranty | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW carries 5 years on parts against 3 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Paradigm Defiance V12 costs less - $779 against $1,100, about 29% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B Paradigm Defiance V12
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, Paradigm Defiance V12 costs about 29% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance V12 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Paradigm Defiance V12 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.