In this review, we will be comparing R-121SW and PSW10, 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-121SW and Polk PSW10 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 Polk PSW10 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-121SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Polk PSW10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz whereas PSW10 has a frequency range of 40-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the R-121SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PSW10's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Polk PSW10 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 Polk PSW10'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 Polk PSW10 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 356.0 x 412.0mm (14-3/8 x 14 x 16-3/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 51mm wider, 57mm taller and 120mm deeper than Polk PSW10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-121SW and Polk PSW10 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-121SW and Polk PSW10 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 Polk PSW10 is approximately 1466.7cm2 / 227.3inch2. The R-121SW requires 48% more surface area than the PSW10 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 Polk PSW10 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the R-121SW 35% heavier than the PSW10.
Here is a comparison of how R-121SW and PSW10'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 Polk PSW10?
Here are the items that come with the PSW10:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
366mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1466cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
599USD
|
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.
Klipsch R-121SW needs about 48% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 120mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 57mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
Polk Audio PSW10 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-120 Hz |
40-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Polymer Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
407.0mm (16") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Weight |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - Klipsch R-121SW costs roughly 2.4x what Polk PSW10 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch R-121SW goes deeper - 28Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch R-121SW has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 50W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | B | Polk PSW10 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 | Polk PSW10 is about 41% 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 PSW10 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 PSW10 costs less - $249 against $599, about 58% less. |
A Klipsch R-121SW B Polk PSW10
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 141% more. Polk PSW10 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk PSW10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $249 each, two Polk PSW10 cost about $498 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.