In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and Vestra W12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Monitor Audio. 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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12 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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the Monitor Audio Vestra W12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas Vestra W12 has a frequency range of 19-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1400CSW can go slightly deeper then the Vestra W12's min frequency of 19Hz.
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
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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12'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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12 has external dimensions of 384.2 x 371.5 x 442.9mm ().
Monitor Audio Vestra W12 is 50.1mm narrower and 59.8mm shorter than Klipsch RP-1400CSW but it is also 21.3mm deeper.
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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12 is approximately 1645.4cm2 / 255.0inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 8% more surface area than the Vestra W12 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 Monitor Audio Vestra W12 weighs 18.28kg / 40.2lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 48% heavier than the Vestra W12.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and Vestra W12'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
19 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 |
200 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
384mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1645cm2
vs
1777cm2
|
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-1400CSW needs about 8% more floor area. Monitor Audio Vestra W12 stands 21mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 60mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
Monitor Audio Vestra W12 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
19-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
384.2mm (15.1") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
371.5mm (14.6") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
442.9mm (17.4") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
18.28kg (40.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 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-1400CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 19Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (500W vs 500W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Monitor Audio Vestra W12 is about 20% 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 $1,199, about 8% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B Monitor Audio Vestra W12
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.