In this review, we will be comparing SPL-120 and Sub 3, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Dynaudio. 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 Dynaudio Sub 3 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 Dynaudio Sub 3 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch SPL-120's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Dynaudio Sub 3 features a 9.5-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz whereas Sub 3 has a frequency range of 22-175 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the Sub 3 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 Dynaudio Sub 3 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 SPL-120's and Dynaudio Sub 3'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 Dynaudio Sub 3 has external dimensions of 277.0 x 269.0 x 366.0mm (10-7/8 x 10-9/16 x 14-3/8inch).
Klipsch SPL-120 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 106mm wider, 173mm taller and 174mm deeper than Dynaudio Sub 3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-120 and Dynaudio Sub 3 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-120 and Dynaudio Sub 3 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 Dynaudio Sub 3 is approximately 984.5cm2 / 152.6inch2. The SPL-120 requires 106% more surface area than the Sub 3 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 Dynaudio Sub 3 weighs 10.50kg / 23.1lbs. This makes the SPL-120 95% heavier than the Sub 3.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-120 and Sub 3'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 Dynaudio Sub 3?
Here are the items that come with the Sub 3:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Extension Card
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
9.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1399USD
|
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 |
22 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
175 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
277mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
984cm2
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 106% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 174mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 173mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
Dynaudio Sub 3 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-125 Hz |
22-175 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
9.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
50-150Hz and 60Hz/80Hz/FlatHz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
450.0mm (17.7") |
277.0mm (10.9") |
| Width |
375.0mm (14.8") |
269.0mm (10.6") |
| Depth |
540.0mm (21.3") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
10.50kg (23.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 22Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch SPL-120 moves more air: 12" against 9.5" is 1.6x the cone area, not the 1.26x 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; Dynaudio Sub 3 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. |
| 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Dynaudio Sub 3 is about 70% 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 | Dynaudio Sub 3 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 $1,399, about 64% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-120 B Dynaudio Sub 3
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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch SPL-120 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Dynaudio Sub 3 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 $499 each, two Klipsch SPL-120 cost about $998 against $1,399 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.