In this review, we will be comparing RW-100SW and R-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 RW-100SW and Klipsch R-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.Klipsch RW-100SWand Klipsch R-100SW 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 R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the RW-100SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-100SW's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 Klipsch R-100SW'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 Klipsch R-100SW has external dimensions of 372.0 x 320.0 x 459.0mm (14-5/8 x 12-9/16 x 18-1/16inch).
Klipsch RW-100SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 63mm wider, 11mm taller and 13mm deeper than Klipsch R-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RW-100SW and Klipsch R-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RW-100SW and Klipsch R-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 RW-100SW is approximately 1807.8cm2 / 280.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The RW-100SW requires 23% more surface area than the R-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 RW-100SW weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the RW-100SW 63% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how RW-100SW and R-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 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 Klipsch R-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-100SW:
- Powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
372mm
vs
383mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1807cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
350USD
|
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 RW-100SW needs about 23% more floor area.
| General |
Klipsch Reference Wireless RW-100SW |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
225 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
27-125 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
225-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
383.0mm (15.1") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
383.0mm (15.1") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
472.0mm (18.6") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| 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 |
Both are Klipsch, so the design approach is shared and the differences are mostly in output, size and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch RW-100SW goes deeper - 27Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch RW-100SW has the bigger amplifier - 225W against 150W RMS, about 1.8dB 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 | 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 R-100SW is about 21% 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 R-100SW costs less - $275 against $350, about 21% less. |
A Klipsch RW-100SW B Klipsch R-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?
The usual trade-off: Klipsch RW-100SW measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 21% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two.
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.