In this review, we will be comparing R-101SW and Concerta B8, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Revel. 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 Revel Concerta B8 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Klipsch R-101SW and Revel Concerta B8 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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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 Revel Concerta B8 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-101SW's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Revel Concerta B8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz whereas Concerta B8 has a frequency range of 45-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the R-101SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Concerta B8's min frequency of 45Hz.
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 Revel Concerta B8 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Revel Concerta B8'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 Revel Concerta B8 has external dimensions of 355.0 x 269.0 x 288.0mm ( 13-15/16 x 10-9/16 x 11-5/16inch) .
Klipsch R-101SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 89mm wider, 15mm taller and 241mm deeper than Revel Concerta B8.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-101SW and Revel Concerta B8 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-101SW and Revel Concerta B8 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 Revel Concerta B8 is approximately 774.7cm2 / 120.1inch2. The R-101SW requires 144% more surface area than the Concerta B8 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 Revel Concerta B8 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs. This makes the R-101SW 55% heavier than the Concerta B8.
Here is a comparison of how R-101SW and Concerta B8'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 subwooferGrille6.5-feet AC power cordUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Revel Concerta B8?
Here are the items that come with the Concerta B8:
Wireless powered subwooferWireless transmitterAC power adapter (attached 6-feet DC cord)6-feet AC power cord16-feet Subwoofer/Trigger cable (male RCA and male minijack connector on each end) Owners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200k Hz
vs
160k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
355mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
774cm2 (269x288mm)
vs
1893cm2 (358x529mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
Revel Concerta B8 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29.5-160 Hz |
45-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Paper |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
370.0mm (14.6") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Width |
358.0mm (14.1") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Depth |
529.0mm (20.8") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Weight |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |