In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and Dynamo 600X, 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 600X 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 MartinLogan 600X 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 Dynamo 600X has a frequency range of 27-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the Dynamo 600X 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
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 600X have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 600X'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 600X has external dimensions of 415.0 x 369.0 x 420.0mm (16-5/16 x 14-1/2 x 16-1/2inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 11mm narrower and 45mm shorter than MartinLogan 600X but it is also 109mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and MartinLogan 600X in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and MartinLogan 600X 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 600X is approximately 1549.8cm2 / 240.2inch2. The R-101SW requires 22% more surface area than the Dynamo 600X 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 MartinLogan 600X weighs 15.91kg / 35lbs. This makes the Dynamo 600X 14% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and Dynamo 600X'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 600X?
Here are the items that come with the Dynamo 600X:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
 Height |
370mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
27 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 |
 Base Surface Area |
1549cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 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.
Klipsch R-101SW needs about 22% more floor area. Klipsch R-101SW stands 109mm further into the room. MartinLogan 600X is 45mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
MartinLogan Dynamo 600X |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
120 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
27-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| 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") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
369.0mm (14.5") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
420.0mm (16.5") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
15.91kg (35lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| 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 |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | MartinLogan 600X goes deeper - 27Hz against 30Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 30Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch R-101SW has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 120W RMS, about 1dB 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | MartinLogan 600X takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only MartinLogan 600X 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 600X 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. |
| Warranty | B | MartinLogan 600X 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 $700, about 29% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B MartinLogan 600X
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 600X measures better, Klipsch R-101SW costs about 29% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, MartinLogan 600X is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.