In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and Varro RS700-SB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and ELAC. 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 ELAC Varro RS700-SB 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 ELAC Varro RS700-SB have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the ELAC Varro RS700-SB features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas Varro RS700-SB has a frequency range of 17-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1400CSW can go slightly deeper then the Varro RS700-SB'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-1400CSW and ELAC Varro RS700-SB 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 ELAC Varro RS700-SB'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 ELAC Varro RS700-SB has external dimensions of 439.0 x 418.0 x 420.0mm (17-1/4inch x 16-7/16inch x 16-1/2inch).
Klipsch RP-1400CSW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 3.6mm wider, 5mm taller and 1.6mm deeper than ELAC Varro RS700-SB.
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.
Near-identical footprints.
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 ELAC Varro RS700-SB is approximately 1755.6cm2 / 272.1inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 1% more surface area than the Varro RS700-SB 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-1400CSW weighs 27.08kg / 59.6lbs and the ELAC Varro RS700-SB weighs 25.35kg / 55.8lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 7% heavier than the Varro RS700-SB.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and Varro RS700-SB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
14 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
17 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
439mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1755cm2
vs
1777cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
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.
Near-identical footprints.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
ELAC Varro RS700-SB |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
700 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
17-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
700-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
1400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
439.0mm (17.3") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
420.0mm (16.5") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
25.35kg (55.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
MDF |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| USB Port |
n/a |
USB-A port for firmware updates |
| Ethernet Port |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
1 year |
| Labor Warranty |
|
1 year |
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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (15Hz vs 17Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | ELAC Varro RS700-SB has the bigger amplifier - 700W against 500W RMS, about 1.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW moves more air: 14" against 12" is 1.36x the cone area, not the 1.17x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | ELAC Varro RS700-SB 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. |
| Price | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW costs less - $1,100 against $1,499, about 27% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B ELAC Varro RS700-SB
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?
ELAC Varro RS700-SB is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 36% more. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, ELAC Varro RS700-SB is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.