In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and Defiance X12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Paradigm. 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance X12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas Defiance X12 has a frequency range of 20-230 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 Defiance X12's min frequency of 20Hz.
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
The Klipsch RP-1400CSW has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the Paradigm Defiance X12 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed 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 Paradigm Defiance X12'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 Paradigm Defiance X12 has external dimensions of 494.0 x 459.0 x 529.0mm (19-7/16inch x 18-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch).
Paradigm Defiance X12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 37.4mm wider, 50mm taller and 107.4mm deeper than Klipsch RP-1400CSW.
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 Paradigm Defiance X12 is approximately 2428.1cm2 / 376.4inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 27% less surface area than the Defiance X12 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 Paradigm Defiance X12 weighs 28.18kg / 62lbs. This makes the Defiance X12 4% heavier than the RP-1400CSW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and Defiance X12'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
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
444mm
vs
494mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1777cm2
vs
2428cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
180 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
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.
Paradigm Defiance X12 needs about 37% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance X12 stands 107mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance X12 is 50mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
Paradigm Defiance X12 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
500 watts |
650 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
20-230 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
650-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
14" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
494.0mm (19.4") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
28.18kg (62lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch RP-1400CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Paradigm Defiance X12 has the bigger amplifier - 650W against 500W RMS, about 1.1dB 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 | depends | Klipsch RP-1400CSW is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Paradigm Defiance X12 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Paradigm Defiance X12 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 | Klipsch RP-1400CSW is about 34% 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 Paradigm Defiance X12
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Paradigm Defiance X12 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Klipsch RP-1400CSW is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance X12 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.