In this review, we will be comparing LX-10SUB MKII and R-101SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Mission 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 Mission LX-10SUB MKII and Klipsch R-101SW 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.Mission LX-10SUB MKIIand Klipsch R-101SW have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
LX-10SUB MKII has a frequency range of 40-200 Hz whereas R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the R-101SW can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LX-10SUB MKII's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 Mission LX-10SUB MKII and Klipsch R-101SW 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 Mission LX-10SUB MKII's and Klipsch R-101SW's external dimensions. Mission LX-10SUB MKII has external dimensions of 447.0 x 312.0 x 407.0mm (17-5/8 x 12-5/16 x 16inch) whereas Klipsch R-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm (14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch).
Mission LX-10SUB MKII is 46mm narrower and 122mm less deeper than Klipsch R-101SW but it is also 77mm taller.
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-101SW needs about 49% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-101SW is 122mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mission LX-10SUB MKII is 77mm 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 Mission LX-10SUB MKII is approximately 1269.8cm2 / 196.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2. The LX-10SUB MKII requires 33% less surface area than the R-101SW 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 Mission LX-10SUB MKII weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs and the Klipsch R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs. This makes the LX-10SUB MKII 15% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how LX-10SUB MKII and R-101SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1269cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
370mm
vs
447mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
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-101SW needs about 49% more floor area. Klipsch R-101SW stands 122mm further into the room. Mission LX-10SUB MKII is 77mm taller.
| General |
Mission LX-10SUB MKII |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
| Brand |
Mission |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-200 Hz |
29.5-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
350-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
30 - 150Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
447.0mm (17.6") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
312.0mm (12.3") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
407.0mm (16") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch R-101SW goes deeper - 30Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Mission LX-10SUB MKII has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 150W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Mission LX-10SUB MKII is about 19% 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 | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Mission LX-10SUB MKII B Klipsch R-101SW
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.
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.