In this review, we will be comparing R-112SW and ProSub 800, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Definitive Technology. 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-112SW and Definitive ProSub 800 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-112SWand Definitive ProSub 800 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-112SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Definitive ProSub 800 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-112SW has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz whereas ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the ProSub 800 can go slightly deeper then the R-112SW's min frequency of 24Hz.
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-112SW 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 Definitive ProSub 800 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-112SW's and Definitive ProSub 800's external dimensions. Klipsch R-112SW has external dimensions of 442.0 x 391.0 x 532.0mm (17-3/8 x 15-3/8 x 20-15/16inch) whereas Definitive ProSub 800 has external dimensions of 328.0 x 262.0 x 423.0mm (12-7/8 x 10-5/16 x 16-5/8inch).
Klipsch R-112SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 129mm wider, 114mm taller and 109mm deeper than Definitive ProSub 800.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-112SW and Definitive ProSub 800 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-112SW and Definitive ProSub 800 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-112SW is approximately 2080.1cm2 / 322.4inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2. The R-112SW requires 88% more surface area than the ProSub 800 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-112SW weighs 22.16kg / 48.8lbs and the Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the R-112SW 87% heavier than the ProSub 800.
Here is a comparison of how R-112SW and ProSub 800'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-112SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-112SW:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Definitive ProSub 800?
Here are the items that come with the ProSub 800:
- 8-inch Powered subwoofer
- Detachable grille (installed)
- 7-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
328mm
vs
442mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1108cm2
vs
2080cm2
|
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-112SW needs about 88% more floor area. Klipsch R-112SW stands 109mm further into the room. Klipsch R-112SW is 114mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-112SW |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-125 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
442.0mm (17.4") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Width |
391.0mm (15.4") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Weight |
22.16kg (48.8lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 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 | B | Definitive ProSub 800 goes deeper - 20Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch R-112SW moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch R-112SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Definitive ProSub 800 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Definitive ProSub 800 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 Klipsch R-112SW 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. |
| Phase control | A | Klipsch R-112SW has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Definitive ProSub 800 is about 60% 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 | Definitive ProSub 800 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 | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Klipsch R-112SW B Definitive ProSub 800
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?
Definitive ProSub 800 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Definitive ProSub 800 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Definitive ProSub 800 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.