In this review, we will be comparing RP-1600SW and RP-1400SW, 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-1600SW and Klipsch RP-1400SW 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-1600SWand Klipsch RP-1400SW have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch RP-1600SW's woofer is 16-inch whereas the Klipsch RP-1400SW features a 14-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
RP-1600SW has a frequency range of 14.5-175 Hz whereas RP-1400SW has a frequency range of 16-141 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the RP-1600SW can go slightly deeper then the RP-1400SW's min frequency of 16Hz.
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-1600SW and Klipsch RP-1400SW have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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-1600SW's and Klipsch RP-1400SW's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-1600SW has external dimensions of 596.0 x 597.0 x 696.0mm (23-7/16inch x 23-1/2inch x 27-3/8inch) whereas Klipsch RP-1400SW has external dimensions of 542.0 x 508.0 x 653.0mm (21-5/16inch x 20inch x 25-11/16inch).
Klipsch RP-1600SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 89mm wider, 54mm taller and 43mm deeper than Klipsch RP-1400SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-1600SW and Klipsch RP-1400SW in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-1600SW and Klipsch RP-1400SW Size and External Dimensions
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-1600SW is approximately 4155.1cm2 / 644.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-1400SW is approximately 3317.2cm2 / 514.2inch2. The RP-1600SW requires 25% more surface area than the RP-1400SW 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-1600SW weighs 50.00kg / 110lbs and the Klipsch RP-1400SW weighs 38.05kg / 83.7lbs. This makes the RP-1600SW 31% heavier than the RP-1400SW.
Here is a comparison of how RP-1600SW and RP-1400SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
16 inches
vs
14 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
16 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
141 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
542mm
vs
596mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
3317cm2
vs
4155cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1550USD
vs
2000USD
|
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.
Klipsch RP-1600SW needs about 25% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1600SW stands 43mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1600SW is 54mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1600SW |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1400SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
800 watts |
500 watts |
| Frequency Response |
14.5-175 Hz |
16-141 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
800-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1600-watt RMS |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
16" |
14" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
596.0mm (23.5") |
542.0mm (21.3") |
| Width |
597.0mm (23.5") |
508.0mm (20") |
| Depth |
696.0mm (27.4") |
653.0mm (25.7") |
| Weight |
50.00kg (110lbs) |
38.05kg (83.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF with Vinyl |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ebony |
Ebony |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
5 years |
Siblings in Klipsch's Reference Premiere Sub range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (15Hz vs 16Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RP-1600SW has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 500W RMS, about 2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch RP-1600SW moves more air: 16" against 14" is 1.31x the cone area, not the 1.14x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch RP-1400SW is about 27% 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 | B | Klipsch RP-1400SW costs less - $1,550 against $2,000, about 23% less. |
A Klipsch RP-1600SW B Klipsch RP-1400SW
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-1600SW measures better, Klipsch RP-1400SW costs about 23% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
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.