In this review, we will be comparing SPL-120 and C 912, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Klipsch and Jamo. 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 Jamo C 912 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 SPL-120and Jamo C 912 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz whereas C 912 has a frequency range of 29-125 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 C 912's min frequency of 29Hz.
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 Jamo C 912 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 Jamo C 912'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 Jamo C 912 has external dimensions of 461.0 x 358.0 x 507.0mm (18-1/8 x 14-1/16 x 19-15/16inch).
Jamo C 912 is 17mm narrower and 33mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-120 but it is also 11mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-120 and Jamo C 912 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-120 and Jamo C 912 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 Jamo C 912 is approximately 1815.1cm2 / 281.3inch2. The SPL-120 requires 12% more surface area than the C 912 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 Jamo C 912 weighs 18.98kg / 41.8lbs. This makes the SPL-120 8% heavier than the C 912.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-120 and C 912'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 Jamo C 912?
Here are the items that come with the C 912:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
450mm
vs
461mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1815cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
499USD
|
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 SPL-120 needs about 12% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 33mm further into the room.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
Jamo C 912 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-125 Hz |
29-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
600-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
450.0mm (17.7") |
461.0mm (18.1") |
| Width |
375.0mm (14.8") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
540.0mm (21.3") |
507.0mm (20") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
18.98kg (41.8lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - Klipsch SPL-120 costs roughly 2.2x what Jamo C 912 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch SPL-120 goes deeper - 24Hz against 29Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 29Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch SPL-120 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W 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 (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Price | B | Jamo C 912 costs less - $229 against $499, about 54% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-120 B Jamo C 912
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 SPL-120 measures better, Jamo C 912 costs about 54% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $229 each, two Jamo C 912 cost about $458 against $499 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.