In this review, we will be comparing RP-1400CSW and Classic 98, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and REL. 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 REL Classic 98 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 REL Classic 98 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1400CSW's woofer is 14-inch whereas the REL Classic 98 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1400CSW has a frequency range of 15-180 Hz whereas Classic 98 has a frequency range of 27-120 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 Classic 98's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 REL Classic 98'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 REL Classic 98 has external dimensions of 476.3 x 350.8 x 352.4mm ().
REL Classic 98 is 70.8mm narrower and 69.2mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-1400CSW but it is also 32.3mm 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 REL Classic 98 is approximately 1236.2cm2 / 191.6inch2. The RP-1400CSW requires 44% more surface area than the Classic 98 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 REL Classic 98 weighs 22.36kg / 49.2lbs. This makes the RP-1400CSW 21% heavier than the Classic 98.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1400CSW and Classic 98's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
14 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
444mm
vs
476mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Base Surface Area |
1236cm2
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 44% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1400CSW stands 69mm further into the room. REL Classic 98 is 32mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400CSW |
REL Classic 98 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
REL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
15-180 Hz |
27-120 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" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
444.0mm (17.5") |
476.3mm (18.8") |
| Width |
421.6mm (16.6") |
350.8mm (13.8") |
| Depth |
421.6mm (16.6") |
352.4mm (13.9") |
| Weight |
27.08kg (59.6lbs) |
22.36kg (49.2lbs) |
| 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 |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
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 27Hz. 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 10" is 1.96x the cone area, not the 1.4x 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 | REL Classic 98 is about 25% 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 REL Classic 98
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 REL Classic 98 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room.
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.