In this review, we will be comparing CR8SBT and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Mackie and 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 Mackie CR8SBT and Klipsch R-121SW 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 Mackie CR8SBTand Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the Mackie CR8SBT's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
CR8SBT has a frequency range of 37-400 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the R-121SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the CR8SBT's min frequency of 37Hz.
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
Klipsch R-121SW Port
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 Mackie CR8SBT's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Mackie CR8SBT has external dimensions of 368.3 x 322.3 x 457.2mm () whereas Klipsch R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 84.7mm wider, 54.7mm taller and 74.8mm deeper than Mackie CR8SBT.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch R-121SW needs about 47% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 75mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-121SW is 55mm taller.
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 Mackie CR8SBT is approximately 1473.6cm2 / 228.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The CR8SBT requires 32% less surface area than the R-121SW which gives it a small advantage 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 Mackie CR8SBT weighs 11.52kg / 25.3lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the R-121SW 39% heavier than the CR8SBT.
Here is a comparison of how CR8SBT and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
400 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
368mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1473cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
200USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 R-121SW needs about 47% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 75mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 55mm taller.
| General |
Mackie CR8SBT |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Mackie |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
37-400 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
368.3mm (14.5") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
322.3mm (12.7") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
457.2mm (18") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
11.52kg (25.3lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
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 | B | Klipsch R-121SW goes deeper - 28Hz against 37Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 37Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-121SW has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 100W RMS, about 3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch R-121SW 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Mackie CR8SBT is about 41% 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 | Klipsch R-121SW 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 | Mackie CR8SBT costs less - $200 against $599, about 67% less. |
A Mackie CR8SBT B Klipsch R-121SW
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 R-121SW measures better, Mackie CR8SBT costs about 67% 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 $200 each, two Mackie CR8SBT cost about $400 against $599 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Mackie CR8SBT 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.