In this review, we will be comparing R-121SW and RW-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Klipsch. 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-121SW and Klipsch RW-100SW 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-121SWand Klipsch RW-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-121SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch RW-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz whereas RW-100SW has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the RW-100SW can go slightly deeper then the R-121SW's min frequency of 28Hz.
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-121SW and Klipsch RW-100SW 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.
Klipsch R-121SW Port
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-121SW's and Klipsch RW-100SW's external dimensions. Klipsch R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch) whereas Klipsch RW-100SW has external dimensions of 383.0 x 383.0 x 472.0mm (15-1/16inch x 15-1/16inch x 18-9/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 40mm taller and 60mm deeper than Klipsch RW-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-121SW and Klipsch RW-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-121SW and Klipsch RW-100SW 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-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RW-100SW is approximately 1807.8cm2 / 280.2inch2. The R-121SW requires 20% more surface area than the RW-100SW 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-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs and the Klipsch RW-100SW weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs. This makes the RW-100SW 11% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-121SW and RW-100SW'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-121SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-121SW:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch RW-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the RW-100SW:
- Wireless powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
383mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1807cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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-121SW needs about 20% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 60mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 40mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
Klipsch Reference Wireless RW-100SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
225 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-120 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
225-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Width |
407.0mm (16") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
472.0mm (18.6") |
| Weight |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Klipsch R-121SW costs roughly 1.7x what Klipsch RW-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (28Hz vs 27Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (200W vs 225W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch R-121SW 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch RW-100SW offers a wireless link. It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch RW-100SW is about 24% 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 | B | Klipsch RW-100SW costs less - $350 against $599, about 42% less. |
A Klipsch R-121SW B Klipsch RW-100SW
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?
Klipsch R-121SW is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 71% more. Klipsch RW-100SW 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 $350 each, two Klipsch RW-100SW cost about $700 against $599 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.