In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and S 810 SUB, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Jamo. 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 R-101SW and Jamo S 810 SUB 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.Klipsch R-101SWand Jamo S 810 SUB have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz whereas S 810 SUB has a frequency range of 36-180 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the R-101SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 810 SUB's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 R-101SW and Jamo S 810 SUB 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 R-101SW's and Jamo S 810 SUB's external dimensions. Klipsch R-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm (14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch) whereas Jamo S 810 SUB has external dimensions of 508.0 x 228.0 x 405.0mm (20 x 8-15/16 x 15-15/16inch).
Jamo S 810 SUB is 130mm narrower and 124mm less deeper than Klipsch R-101SW but it is also 138mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Jamo S 810 SUB in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Jamo S 810 SUB 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 R-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 810 SUB is approximately 923.4cm2 / 143.1inch2. The R-101SW requires 105% more surface area than the S 810 SUB 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 R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs and the Jamo S 810 SUB weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the R-101SW 18% heavier than the S 810 SUB.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and S 810 SUB's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-101SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-101SW:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Jamo S 810 SUB?
Here are the items that come with the S 810 SUB:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 5-feet AC power cord
- 6.5-feet Mono-RCA cable
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
370mm
vs
508mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
923cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
199USD
vs
499USD
|
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 R-101SW needs about 105% more floor area. Klipsch R-101SW stands 124mm further into the room. Jamo S 810 SUB is 138mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Jamo S 810 SUB |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
75 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
36-180 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
75-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Polyfiber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
Side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
508.0mm (20") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
405.0mm (15.9") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Klipsch R-101SW costs roughly 2.5x what Jamo S 810 SUB does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch R-101SW goes deeper - 30Hz against 36Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 36Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch R-101SW has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 75W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch R-101SW fires front and Jamo S 810 SUB fires side. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Jamo S 810 SUB is about 33% 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 | Jamo S 810 SUB costs less - $199 against $499, about 60% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B Jamo S 810 SUB
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 R-101SW measures better, Jamo S 810 SUB costs about 60% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $199 each, two Jamo S 810 SUB cost about $398 against $499 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Jamo S 810 SUB is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.