In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and Radius 390, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Monitor Audio. 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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 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 Radius 390 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz.
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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 have Passive Radiator type enclosure. Passive Radiator type subwoofers sports a non-powered cone that moves in response to the main woofer to move air out in order to generate stronger bass in a smaller body compared to ported or 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 Monitor Audio Radius 390'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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 331.0 x 385.0mm (13-11/16 x 13 x 15-1/8inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 22mm taller and 144mm deeper than Monitor Audio Radius 390.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Monitor Audio Radius 390 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Monitor Audio Radius 390 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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 is approximately 1274.4cm2 / 197.5inch2. The R-101SW requires 49% more surface area than the Radius 390 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 Monitor Audio Radius 390 weighs 13.77kg / 30.3lbs. This makes the R-101SW 1% heavier than the Radius 390.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and Radius 390'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 Monitor Audio Radius 390?
Here are the items that come with the Radius 390:
- Powered sub
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 10.75-feet Mono minijack cable
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1150USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Height |
348mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1274cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
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 49% more floor area. Klipsch R-101SW stands 144mm further into the room. Klipsch R-101SW is 22mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Monitor Audio Radius 390 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
220 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
220-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
C-CAM |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
side |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
331.0mm (13") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
13.77kg (30.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a passive radiator 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (30Hz vs 30Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | Monitor Audio Radius 390 has the bigger amplifier - 220W against 150W RMS, about 1.7dB 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 | 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; Monitor Audio Radius 390 is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch R-101SW fires front and Monitor Audio Radius 390 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 | Monitor Audio Radius 390 is about 37% 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 | A | Klipsch R-101SW costs less - $499 against $1,150, about 57% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B Monitor Audio Radius 390
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?
Monitor Audio Radius 390 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 130% more. Klipsch R-101SW is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $1,150 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Monitor Audio Radius 390 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.