In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and PSW125, 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 PSW125 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 Polk PSW125 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-101SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Polk PSW125 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz whereas PSW125 has a frequency range of 32-225 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the R-101SW can go slightly deeper then the PSW125's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 PSW125 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 PSW125'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 PSW125 has external dimensions of 424.0 x 413.0 x 520.0mm (16-11/16 x 16-1/4 x 20-7/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 55mm narrower and 54mm shorter than Polk PSW125 but it is also 9mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Polk PSW125 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Polk PSW125 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 PSW125 is approximately 2147.6cm2 / 332.9inch2. The R-101SW requires 12% less surface area than the PSW125 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 Polk PSW125 weighs 18.23kg / 40.1lbs. This makes the PSW125 31% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and PSW125'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 PSW125?
Here are the items that come with the PSW125:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 8-feet Detachable power cord
- 4 Rubber insert feet
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
- Rubber feet installation diagram
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
370mm
vs
424mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1893cm2
vs
2147cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
225 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
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.
Polk PSW125 needs about 13% more floor area. Polk PSW125 is 54mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Polk Audio PSW125 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
32-225 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
DB Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
424.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
520.0mm (20.5") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
18.23kg (40.1lbs) |
| 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 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (150W vs 150W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | B | Polk PSW125 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Polk PSW125 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-101SW is about 23% 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 | Polk PSW125 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 PSW125 costs less - $349 against $499, about 30% less. |
A Klipsch R-101SW B Polk PSW125
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?
Polk PSW125 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. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk PSW125 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.