In this review, we will be comparing SPL-120 and Muro SUB2010, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and ELAC. 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch SPL-120's woofer is 12-inch whereas the ELAC Muro SUB2010 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz whereas Muro SUB2010 has a frequency range of 38-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the SPL-120 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Muro SUB2010'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
Both Klipsch SPL-120 and ELAC Muro SUB2010 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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.
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 ELAC Muro SUB2010'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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 has external dimensions of 388.0 x 135.0 x 405.0mm (15-1/4 x 5-5/16 x 15-15/16inch).
Klipsch SPL-120 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 240mm wider, 62mm taller and 135mm deeper than ELAC Muro SUB2010.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-120 and ELAC Muro SUB2010 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-120 and ELAC Muro SUB2010 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 is approximately 546.8cm2 / 84.8inch2. The SPL-120 requires 270% more surface area than the Muro SUB2010 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 ELAC Muro SUB2010 weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the SPL-120 162% heavier than the Muro SUB2010.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-120 and Muro SUB2010'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 ELAC Muro SUB2010?
Here are the items that come with the Muro SUB2010:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Cone feet
- 2 Brackets
- 2 Machine screws
- 2 Wood screws
- 2 Washers
- 2 Wall anchors
- Operating Instructions
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
38 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
770USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
388mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
546cm2
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 270% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 135mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 62mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
ELAC Muro SUB2010 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
125 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-125 Hz |
38-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
125-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
side or bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
450.0mm (17.7") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
| Width |
375.0mm (14.8") |
135.0mm (5.3") |
| Depth |
540.0mm (21.3") |
405.0mm (15.9") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
1 Year |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch SPL-120 goes deeper - 24Hz against 38Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch SPL-120 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 125W RMS, about 3.8dB 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 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Driver placement | depends | Klipsch SPL-120 fires front and ELAC Muro SUB2010 fires side or down. 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | ELAC Muro SUB2010 is about 77% 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 | A | Klipsch SPL-120 carries 2 years on parts against 1 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 $770, about 35% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-120 B ELAC Muro SUB2010
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?
Klipsch SPL-120 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ELAC Muro SUB2010 if one of the "depends" rows describes your room. 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 $770 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - ELAC Muro SUB2010 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.