In this review, we will be comparing RP-1200SW and PB16-Ultra, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and SVS. 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 SVS PB16-Ultra 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.
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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 SVS PB16-Ultra have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1200SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the SVS PB16-Ultra features a 16-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz whereas PB16-Ultra has a frequency range of 13-280 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the PB16-Ultra can go slightly deeper then the RP-1200SW's min frequency of 17Hz.
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 SVS PB16-Ultra 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 SVS PB16-Ultra'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 SVS PB16-Ultra has external dimensions of 635.0 x 553.0 x 788.0mm (25 x 21-3/4 x 31inch).
SVS PB16-Ultra is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 121mm wider, 153mm taller and 129mm deeper than Klipsch RP-1200SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1200SW and SVS PB16-Ultra in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1200SW and SVS PB16-Ultra 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 SVS PB16-Ultra is approximately 4357.6cm2 / 675.4inch2. The RP-1200SW requires 35% less surface area than the PB16-Ultra 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 SVS PB16-Ultra weighs 79.32kg / 174.5lbs. This makes the PB16-Ultra 154% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1200SW and PB16-Ultra's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
482mm
vs
635mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2846cm2
vs
4357cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
2900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
13 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
280 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
SVS PB16-Ultra |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
1500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
16.5-138 Hz |
13-280 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
1500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
800-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
16" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Composite fiberglass/resin |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
482.0mm (19") |
635.0mm (25") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
553.0mm (21.8") |
| Depth |
659.0mm (25.9") |
788.0mm (31") |
| Weight |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
79.32kg (174.5lbs) |
| 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 |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | SVS PB16-Ultra goes deeper - 13Hz against 17Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | SVS PB16-Ultra has the bigger amplifier - 1500W against 400W RMS, about 5.7dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | SVS PB16-Ultra moves more air: 16" against 12" is 1.78x the cone area, not the 1.33x 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. |
| 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 | Klipsch RP-1200SW is about 50% 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 - $999 against $2,900, about 66% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1200SW B SVS PB16-Ultra
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: SVS PB16-Ultra measures better, Klipsch RP-1200SW costs about 66% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $999 each, two Klipsch RP-1200SW cost about $1,998 against $2,900 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch RP-1200SW 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.