In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and Dynamo 1600X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and MartinLogan. 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 MartinLogan 1600X 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 R-101SWand MartinLogan 1600X have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-101SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the MartinLogan 1600X features a 15-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz whereas Dynamo 1600X has a frequency range of 20-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Dynamo 1600X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
The Klipsch R-101SW has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the MartinLogan 1600X have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. 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.
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 MartinLogan 1600X'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 MartinLogan 1600X has external dimensions of 510.0 x 456.0 x 470.0mm (20-1/16 x 17-15/16 x 18-1/2inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 98mm narrower and 140mm shorter than MartinLogan 1600X but it is also 59mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and MartinLogan 1600X in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and MartinLogan 1600X 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 MartinLogan 1600X is approximately 2143.2cm2 / 332.2inch2. The R-101SW requires 12% less surface area than the Dynamo 1600X which gives it a small advantage 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 MartinLogan 1600X weighs 25.91kg / 57lbs. This makes the Dynamo 1600X 86% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and Dynamo 1600X'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 MartinLogan 1600X?
Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 1600X:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
 Height |
370mm
vs
510mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1893cm2
vs
2143cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
2000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
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.
MartinLogan 1600X needs about 13% more floor area. Klipsch R-101SW stands 59mm further into the room. MartinLogan 1600X is 140mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
900 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
20-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
900-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
456.0mm (18") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
470.0mm (18.5") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
25.91kg (57lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 | B | MartinLogan 1600X goes deeper - 20Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | MartinLogan 1600X has the bigger amplifier - 900W against 150W RMS, about 7.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | MartinLogan 1600X moves more air: 15" against 10" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch R-101SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; MartinLogan 1600X is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. 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 MartinLogan 1600X 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch R-101SW fires front and MartinLogan 1600X fires down. 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 | Klipsch R-101SW is about 36% 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. |
| Warranty | B | MartinLogan 1600X carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | A | Klipsch R-101SW costs less - $499 against $2,000, about 75% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B MartinLogan 1600X
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: MartinLogan 1600X measures better, Klipsch R-101SW costs about 75% 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-101SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, MartinLogan 1600X 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 R-101SW cost about $998 against $2,000 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.