In this review, we will be comparing SPL-120 and SuperCube 2000, 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 SPL-120 and DT SuperCube 2000 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 SPL-120and DT SuperCube 2000 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch SPL-120's woofer is 12-inch whereas the DT SuperCube 2000 features a 7.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz whereas SuperCube 2000 has a frequency range of 20-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the SuperCube 2000 can go slightly deeper then the SPL-120's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 SPL-120 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 DT SuperCube 2000 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 SPL-120's and DT SuperCube 2000's external dimensions. Klipsch SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch) whereas DT SuperCube 2000 has external dimensions of 275.0 x 261.0 x 321.0mm (10-13/16 x 10-1/4 x 12-5/8inch).
Klipsch SPL-120 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 114mm wider, 175mm taller and 219mm deeper than DT SuperCube 2000.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-120 and DT SuperCube 2000 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-120 and DT SuperCube 2000 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 SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2 and base area of the DT SuperCube 2000 is approximately 837.8cm2 / 129.9inch2. The SPL-120 requires 142% more surface area than the SuperCube 2000 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 SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the DT SuperCube 2000 weighs 11.36kg / 25lbs. This makes the SPL-120 80% heavier than the SuperCube 2000.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-120 and SuperCube 2000'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 SPL-120?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SPL-120:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of DT SuperCube 2000?
Here are the items that come with the SuperCube 2000:
- 7.5-inch Powered subwoofer
- 7-feet AC power cord
- 4 Threaded rubber-feet
- 4 Spike feet (hex-nut attached)
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
7.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
275mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
837cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
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 SPL-120 needs about 142% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 219mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 175mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
650 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-125 Hz |
20-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
650-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
7.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
450.0mm (17.7") |
275.0mm (10.8") |
| Width |
375.0mm (14.8") |
261.0mm (10.3") |
| Depth |
540.0mm (21.3") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
11.36kg (25lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| 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 | DT SuperCube 2000 goes deeper - 20Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | DT SuperCube 2000 has the bigger amplifier - 650W against 300W RMS, about 3.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch SPL-120 moves more air: 12" against 7.5" is 2.56x the cone area, not the 1.6x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | Klipsch SPL-120 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; DT SuperCube 2000 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-120 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Phase control | A | Klipsch SPL-120 has a phase control. Without one, the only way to fix a cancellation at the crossover is to move the box. |
| Cabinet size | depends | DT SuperCube 2000 is about 75% 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 | DT SuperCube 2000 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 SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $599, about 17% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-120 B DT SuperCube 2000
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: DT SuperCube 2000 measures better, Klipsch SPL-120 costs about 17% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - DT SuperCube 2000 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.