In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and Defiance X10, 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 X10 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 Paradigm Defiance X10 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1200SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance X10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz whereas Defiance X10 has a frequency range of 29-240 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 X10's min frequency of 29Hz.
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 X10 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 X10'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 X10 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 383.0 x 453.0mm (16-7/16inch x 15-1/16inch x 17-13/16inch).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 49mm wider, 64mm taller and 206mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance X10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance X10 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance X10 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 X10 is approximately 1735.0cm2 / 268.9inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 64% more surface area than the Defiance X10 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 X10 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs. This makes the RP-1200SW 63% heavier than the Defiance X10.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and Defiance X10'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
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
240 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
418mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1735cm2
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 64% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 206mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 64mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
Paradigm Defiance X10 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
29-240 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 |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
453.0mm (17.8") |
| 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 29Hz. 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 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-1200SW 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 ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Paradigm Defiance X10 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 X10 is about 47% 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 | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $1,199, about 8% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B Paradigm Defiance X10
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-1200SW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance X10 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 X10 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.