In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and RW-100SW, 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 R-101SW and Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Klipsch RW-100SW 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 RW-100SW has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the RW-100SW can go slightly deeper then the R-101SW's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Klipsch RW-100SW'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 Klipsch RW-100SW has external dimensions of 383.0 x 383.0 x 472.0mm (15-1/16inch x 15-1/16inch x 18-9/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 25mm narrower and 13mm shorter than Klipsch RW-100SW but it is also 57mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Klipsch RW-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Klipsch RW-100SW is approximately 1807.8cm2 / 280.2inch2. The R-101SW requires 5% more surface area than the RW-100SW 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 Klipsch RW-100SW weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the RW-100SW 27% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and RW-100SW'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 Klipsch RW-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the RW-100SW:
- Wireless powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
370mm
vs
383mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1807cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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-101SW stands 57mm further into the room. Klipsch RW-100SW is 13mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Klipsch Reference Wireless RW-100SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
225 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
225-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
472.0mm (18.6") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| 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 |
Both are Klipsch, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch RW-100SW goes deeper - 27Hz against 30Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 30Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch RW-100SW has the bigger amplifier - 225W against 150W RMS, about 1.8dB 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RW-100SW offers a wireless link. It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RW-100SW costs less - $350 against $499, about 30% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B Klipsch RW-100SW
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 RW-100SW is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Klipsch R-101SW 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.