In this review, we will be comparing SPL-150 and SPL-100, 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 SPL-150 and Klipsch SPL-100 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-150and Klipsch SPL-100 have a single woofer setup however the Klipsch SPL-150's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-100 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
SPL-150 has a frequency range of 18-125 Hz whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the SPL-150 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SPL-100's min frequency of 27Hz.
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-150 and Klipsch SPL-100 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-150's and Klipsch SPL-100's external dimensions. Klipsch SPL-150 has external dimensions of 547.0 x 496.0 x 604.0mm (21-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 23-3/4inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch).
Klipsch SPL-150 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 138mm wider, 129mm taller and 126mm deeper than Klipsch SPL-100.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch SPL-150 and Klipsch SPL-100 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch SPL-150 and Klipsch SPL-100 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-150 is approximately 2995.8cm2 / 464.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The SPL-150 requires 75% more surface area than the SPL-100 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-150 weighs 34.27kg / 75.4lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the SPL-150 104% heavier than the SPL-100.
Here is a comparison of how SPL-150 and SPL-100'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-150?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SPL-150:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-100?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-100:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
418mm
vs
547mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1711cm2
vs
2995cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1399USD
|
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-150 needs about 75% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-150 stands 126mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-150 is 129mm taller.
| General |
Klipsch SPL-150 |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-125 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
547.0mm (21.5") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
496.0mm (19.5") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
604.0mm (23.8") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
34.27kg (75.4lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| 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 |
Siblings in Klipsch's SPL range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Klipsch SPL-150 goes deeper - 18Hz against 27Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | Klipsch SPL-150 has the bigger amplifier - 400W against 200W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Klipsch SPL-150 moves more air: 15" against 10" 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch SPL-100 is about 56% 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 SPL-100 costs less - $399 against $1,399, about 71% less. |
A Klipsch SPL-150 B Klipsch SPL-100
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-150 measures better, Klipsch SPL-100 costs about 71% 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 $399 each, two Klipsch SPL-100 cost about $798 against $1,399 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch SPL-100 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.