In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Aperion. 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-1400CSW and Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer 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-1400CSWand Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer has a frequency range of 18-400 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1400CSW can go slightly deeper then the Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer'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
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer
Cabinet Type
Both Klipsch RP-1400CSW and Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer have Acoustic Suspension type cabinets. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported 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-1400CSW's and Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1400CSW has external dimensions of 444.0 x 421.6 x 421.6mm (17.48inch x 16.6inch x 16.6inch) whereas Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer has external dimensions of 500.4 x 500.4 x 401.3mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 15.8inch).
Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 78.8mm narrower and 56.4mm shorter than Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer but it is also 20.3mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer needs about 13% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 20mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer is 56mm taller.
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-1400CSW is approximately 1777.5cm2 / 275.5inch2 and base area of the Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer is approximately 2008.1cm2 / 311.3inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 11% less surface area than the Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer 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-1400CSW weighs 27.08kg / 59.6lbs and the Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer weighs 35.02kg / 77lbs. This makes the Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer 29% heavier than the RP-1400CSW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer
 Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
444mm
vs
500mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1777cm2
vs
2008cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
14 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
400 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
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.
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer needs about 13% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW stands 20mm further into the room. Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer is 56mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Aperion |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
n/a |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
18-400 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
500.4mm (19.7") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
500.4mm (19.7") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
401.3mm (15.8") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
35.02kg (77lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
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-1400CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 18Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (14" against 15"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch RP-1400CSW is about 21% 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-1400CSW costs less - $1,100 against $1,449, about 24% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B Aperion Theatrus TS15 Passive 15" Subwoofer
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-1400CSW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.