In this review, we will be comparing RP-1600CSW and SPL-120, 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 SPL-120 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 SPL-120 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1600CSW's woofer is 16-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-120 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1600CSW has a frequency range of 14.5-175 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 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 SPL-120's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 SPL-120 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-1600CSW's and Klipsch SPL-120'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 SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch).
Klipsch SPL-120 is 90.6mm narrower and 38.2mm shorter than Klipsch RP-1600CSW but it is also 74.4mm 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 SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The RP-1600CSW requires 7% more surface area than the SPL-120 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 SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the RP-1600CSW 75% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1600CSW and SPL-120'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
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
450mm
vs
488mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2025cm2
vs
2167cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
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 SPL-120 stands 74mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1600CSW is 38mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1600CSW |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
14.5-175 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1600-watt RMS |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
16" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
488.2mm (19.2") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
465.6mm (18.3") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
465.6mm (18.3") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
35.74kg (78.6lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| 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 24Hz. 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 300W RMS, about 4.3dB 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 SPL-120 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. |
| Price | B | Klipsch SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $1,500, about 67% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1600CSW B Klipsch SPL-120
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 SPL-120 costs about 67% 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 SPL-120 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 $499 each, two Klipsch SPL-120 cost about $998 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.