In this review, we will be comparing RP-1600CSW and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Klipsch. 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-1600CSW and Klipsch R-121SW 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-1600CSWand Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1600CSW's woofer is 16-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1600CSW has a frequency range of 14.5-175 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1600CSW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-121SW's min frequency of 28Hz.
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-1600CSW 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 Klipsch R-121SW 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.
Klipsch R-121SW Port
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-1600CSW's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1600CSW has external dimensions of 488.2 x 465.6 x 465.6mm (19.22inch x 18.33inch x 18.33inch) whereas Klipsch R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is 58.6mm narrower and 65.2mm shorter than Klipsch RP-1600CSW but it is also 66.4mm 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-1600CSW is approximately 2167.8cm2 / 336.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The RP-1600CSW requires 0% more surface area than the R-121SW 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-1600CSW weighs 35.74kg / 78.6lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the RP-1600CSW 123% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1600CSW and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
423mm
vs
488mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2165cm2
vs
2167cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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. Klipsch R-121SW stands 66mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1600CSW is 65mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1600CSW |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
14.5-175 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1600-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
16" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
488.2mm (19.2") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
465.6mm (18.3") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
465.6mm (18.3") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
35.74kg (78.6lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| 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 |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 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-1600CSW goes deeper - 15Hz against 28Hz. 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-1600CSW has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 200W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1600CSW moves more air: 16" against 12" is 1.78x the cone area, not the 1.33x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch RP-1600CSW is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch R-121SW 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RP-1600CSW offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-121SW costs less - $599 against $1,500, about 60% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1600CSW B Klipsch R-121SW
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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RP-1600CSW measures better, Klipsch R-121SW costs about 60% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch R-121SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Klipsch RP-1600CSW is usually the easier one to make sound right. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $599 each, two Klipsch R-121SW cost about $1,198 against $1,500 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.