In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and SubSeries 350, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and PSB. 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 PSB SubSeries 350 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 PSB SubSeries 350 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the PSB SubSeries 350 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas SubSeries 350 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1400CSW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SubSeries 350's min frequency of 25Hz.
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 PSB SubSeries 350 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 PSB SubSeries 350'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 PSB SubSeries 350 has external dimensions of 407.0 x 394.0 x 445.0mm (16 x 15-1/2 x 17-1/2inch).
PSB SubSeries 350 is 27.6mm narrower and 37mm shorter than Klipsch RP-1400CSW but it is also 23.4mm 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 PSB SubSeries 350 is approximately 1753.3cm2 / 271.8inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 1% more surface area than the SubSeries 350 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 PSB SubSeries 350 weighs 23.18kg / 51lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 17% heavier than the SubSeries 350.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and SubSeries 350'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
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
407mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1753cm2
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.
Near-identical footprints. PSB SubSeries 350 stands 23mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 37mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
PSB SubSeries 350 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
25-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
50-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
394.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
445.0mm (17.5") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
23.18kg (51lbs) |
| 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 |
|
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 | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 300W RMS, about 2.2dB 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 | PSB SubSeries 350 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 $1,299, about 15% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B PSB SubSeries 350
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 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take PSB SubSeries 350 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, PSB SubSeries 350 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.