In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and HTS 10, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Polk 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 Polk HTS 10 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 Polk HTS 10 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 HTS 10 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
Both Klipsch R-101SW and Polk HTS 10 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 Polk HTS 10'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 Polk HTS 10 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 385.0 x 459.0mm (16-5/8 x 15-1/8 x 18-1/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 27mm narrower and 53mm shorter than Polk HTS 10 but it is also 70mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Polk HTS 10 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Polk HTS 10 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 Polk HTS 10 is approximately 1767.2cm2 / 273.9inch2. The R-101SW requires 7% more surface area than the HTS 10 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 Polk HTS 10 weighs 17.16kg / 37.8lbs. This makes the HTS 10 23% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and HTS 10'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 Polk HTS 10?
Here are the items that come with the HTS 10:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
370mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1767cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-101SW stands 70mm further into the room. Polk HTS 10 is 53mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Polk Audio HTS 10 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
100 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
30-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
200-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 |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
385.0mm (15.2") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
17.16kg (37.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (30Hz vs 30Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch R-101SW has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 100W 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. |
| Warranty | B | Polk HTS 10 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 | B | Polk HTS 10 costs less - $449 against $499, about 10% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B Polk HTS 10
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.