In this review, we will be comparing R-121SW and Concerta2 B10, 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-121SW and Revel Concerta2 B10 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 Revel Concerta2 B10 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch R-121SW's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Revel Concerta2 B10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz whereas Concerta2 B10 has a frequency range of 35-150 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 Concerta2 B10's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 Revel Concerta2 B10 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 Revel Concerta2 B10'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 Revel Concerta2 B10 has external dimensions of 420.0 x 377.0 x 440.0mm (16-1/2 x 14-13/16 x 17-5/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30mm wider, 3mm taller and 92mm deeper than Revel Concerta2 B10.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-121SW and Revel Concerta2 B10 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-121SW and Revel Concerta2 B10 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 Revel Concerta2 B10 is approximately 1658.8cm2 / 257.1inch2. The R-121SW requires 31% more surface area than the Concerta2 B10 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 Revel Concerta2 B10 weighs 21.36kg / 47lbs. This makes the Concerta2 B10 34% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-121SW and Concerta2 B10'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 Revel Concerta2 B10?
Here are the items that come with the Concerta2 B10:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1650USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
420mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1658cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
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-121SW needs about 31% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 92mm further into the room.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
Revel Concerta2 B10 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Revel |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
800 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-120 Hz |
35-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Spun-Copper TCP |
Anodized aluminum |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
423.0mm (16.7") |
420.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
407.0mm (16") |
377.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
532.0mm (20.9") |
440.0mm (17.3") |
| Weight |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
21.36kg (47lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
5 Years |
Different price classes - Revel Concerta2 B10 costs roughly 2.8x what Klipsch R-121SW 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 35Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 35Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Revel Concerta2 B10 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 200W 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Revel Concerta2 B10 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. |
| Warranty | B | Revel Concerta2 B10 carries 5 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 | A | Klipsch R-121SW costs less - $599 against $1,650, about 64% less. |
A Klipsch R-121SW B Revel Concerta2 B10
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. 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 $599 each, two Klipsch R-121SW cost about $1,198 against $1,650 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.