In this review, we will be comparing RW-100SW and KUBE 10b, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and KEF. 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 RW-100SW and KEF KUBE 10b 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 RW-100SWand KEF KUBE 10b have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
RW-100SW has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz whereas KUBE 10b has a frequency range of 24-140 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the KUBE 10b can go slightly deeper then the RW-100SW's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 RW-100SW 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 KEF KUBE 10b have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported 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 RW-100SW's and KEF KUBE 10b's external dimensions. 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) whereas KEF KUBE 10b has external dimensions of 372.0 x 356.0 x 397.0mm (14-5/8 x 14 x 15-5/8inch).
Klipsch RW-100SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 11mm taller and 75mm deeper than KEF KUBE 10b.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RW-100SW and KEF KUBE 10b in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RW-100SW and KEF KUBE 10b 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 RW-100SW is approximately 1807.8cm2 / 280.2inch2 and base area of the KEF KUBE 10b is approximately 1413.3cm2 / 219.1inch2. The RW-100SW requires 28% more surface area than the KUBE 10b 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 RW-100SW weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the KEF KUBE 10b weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the RW-100SW 1% heavier than the KUBE 10b.
Here is a comparison of how RW-100SW and KUBE 10b'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 RW-100SW?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RW-100SW:
- Wireless powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of KEF KUBE 10b?
Here are the items that come with the KUBE 10b:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Speaker-level input block
- User Manual
- Important Safety Information
- Warranty Information
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
140 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
372mm
vs
383mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1413cm2
vs
1807cm2
|
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 RW-100SW needs about 28% more floor area. Klipsch RW-100SW stands 75mm further into the room.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Wireless RW-100SW |
KEF KUBE 10b |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
225 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
27-125 Hz |
24-140 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
225-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
40-140 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
383.0mm (15.1") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
383.0mm (15.1") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
472.0mm (18.6") |
397.0mm (15.6") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed 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 | KEF KUBE 10b goes deeper - 24Hz against 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | KEF KUBE 10b has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 225W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch RW-100SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; KEF KUBE 10b is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | KEF KUBE 10b 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 | A | Klipsch RW-100SW costs less - $350 against $750, about 53% less. |
A Klipsch RW-100SW B KEF KUBE 10b
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?
The usual trade-off: KEF KUBE 10b measures better, Klipsch RW-100SW costs about 53% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch RW-100SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, KEF KUBE 10b is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $750 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.