In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and Defiance X15, 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 X15 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 X15 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1200SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance X15 features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz whereas Defiance X15 has a frequency range of 18-230 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go slightly deeper then the Defiance X15'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 Paradigm Defiance X15 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 X15'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 X15 has external dimensions of 626.0 x 589.0 x 661.0mm (24-5/8inch x 23-3/16inch x 26inch).
Paradigm Defiance X15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 157mm wider, 144mm taller and 2mm deeper than Klipsch RP-1200SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance X15 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and Paradigm Defiance X15 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 X15 is approximately 3893.3cm2 / 603.5inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 27% less surface area than the Defiance X15 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 Paradigm Defiance X15 weighs 41.82kg / 92lbs. This makes the Defiance X15 34% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and Defiance X15'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 |
 Height |
482mm
vs
626mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2846cm2
vs
3893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
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.
Paradigm Defiance X15 needs about 37% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance X15 is 144mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
Paradigm Defiance X15 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
90 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
18-230 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
90-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
15" |
| 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") |
626.0mm (24.6") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
589.0mm (23.2") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
661.0mm (26") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
41.82kg (92lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - Paradigm Defiance X15 costs roughly 1.8x what Klipsch RP-1200SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (17Hz vs 18Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RP-1200SW has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 90W RMS, about 6.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Paradigm Defiance X15 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Paradigm Defiance X15 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 | Klipsch RP-1200SW is about 44% 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 $1,999, about 45% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B Paradigm Defiance X15
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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance X15 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $1,999 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.