In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and SubSeries BP8, 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 BP8 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 BP8 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the PSB SubSeries BP8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas SubSeries BP8 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 BP8'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 BP8 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 BP8'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 BP8 has external dimensions of 355 x 330 x 330mm (14 x 13 x 13 inch).
Klipsch RP-1400CSW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 91.6mm wider, 89mm taller and 91.6mm deeper than PSB SubSeries BP8.
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.
Klipsch RP-1400CSW needs about 63% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 92mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 89mm 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 PSB SubSeries BP8 is approximately 1089.0cm2 / 168.8inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 63% more surface area than the SubSeries BP8 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 BP8 weighs 19.10kg / 42lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 42% heavier than the SubSeries BP8.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and SubSeries BP8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
14 inches
vs
8 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
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
355mm
vs
444mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1089cm2
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 63% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW stands 92mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1400CSW is 89mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
PSB SubSeries BP8 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
25-150 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" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Carbon Fibre |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
High Density Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
330.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
19.10kg (42lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
Satin Black, Satin White |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
|
1 Year |
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 | 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 | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (500W vs 500W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW moves more air: 14" against 8" is 3.06x the cone area, not the 1.75x 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 BP8 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | PSB SubSeries BP8 is about 51% 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 $1,499, about 27% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1400CSW B PSB SubSeries BP8
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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, PSB SubSeries BP8 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - PSB SubSeries BP8 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.