In this review, we will be comparing R-8SW 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-8SW 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.Klipsch R-8SWand Definitive ProSub 800 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
R-8SW has a frequency range of 38-120 Hz whereas ProSub 800 has a frequency range of 20-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the ProSub 800 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-8SW's min frequency of 38Hz.
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-8SW 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-8SW's and Definitive ProSub 800's external dimensions. Klipsch R-8SW has external dimensions of 335.0 x 299.0 x 345.0mm (13-3/16 x 11-3/4 x 13-9/16inch) 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).
Definitive ProSub 800 is 37mm narrower and 7mm shorter than Klipsch R-8SW but it is also 78mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch R-8SW and Definitive ProSub 800 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch R-8SW 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-8SW is approximately 1031.6cm2 / 159.9inch2 and base area of the Definitive ProSub 800 is approximately 1108.3cm2 / 171.8inch2. The R-8SW requires 7% less surface area than the ProSub 800 which gives it a small advantage 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-8SW weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs and the Definitive ProSub 800 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the ProSub 800 73% heavier than the R-8SW.
Here is a comparison of how R-8SW 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-8SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-8SW:
- Powered sub
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Sheet
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
 Base Surface Area |
1031cm2
vs
1108cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
328mm
vs
335mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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.
Near-identical footprints. Definitive ProSub 800 stands 78mm further into the room.
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-8SW |
Definitive Technology ProSub 800 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
38-120 Hz |
20-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper IMG |
Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
bottom |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
335.0mm (13.2") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Width |
299.0mm (11.8") |
262.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
345.0mm (13.6") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Weight |
6.82kg (15lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
n/a |
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 38Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Definitive ProSub 800 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 50W RMS, about 7.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch R-8SW 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. |
| Phase control | A | Klipsch R-8SW has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch R-8SW fires down and Definitive ProSub 800 fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| 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 | A | Klipsch R-8SW costs less - $349 against $399, about 13% less. |
A Klipsch R-8SW 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 leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. Klipsch R-8SW is the one to take if it does not. 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.
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.