In this review, we will be comparing CW10 and R-120SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Monitor Audio 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 Monitor Audio CW10 and Klipsch R-120SW first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio CW10 and Klipsch R-120SW compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Monitor Audio CW10and Klipsch R-120SW have a single woofer setup however the Monitor Audio CW10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Klipsch R-120SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
CW10 has a frequency range of 32-135 Hz whereas R-120SW has a frequency range of 29-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the R-120SW can go slightly deeper then the CW10's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
The Monitor Audio CW10 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the Klipsch R-120SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Monitor Audio CW10's and Klipsch R-120SW's external dimensions. Monitor Audio CW10 has external dimensions of 318.0 x 307.0 x 375.0mm ( 12-1/2 x 12-1/16 x 14-3/4inch) whereas Klipsch R-120SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 358.0 x 532.0mm ( 16-5/8 x 14-1/16 x 20-15/16inch) .
Klipsch R-120SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 51mm wider, 105mm taller and 157mm deeper than Monitor Audio CW10.
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 Monitor Audio CW10 is approximately 1151.3cm2 / 178.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-120SW is approximately 1904.6cm2 / 295.2inch2. The CW10 requires 40% less surface area than the R-120SW 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 Monitor Audio CW10 weighs 12.61kg / 27.7lbs and the Klipsch R-120SW weighs 14.09kg / 31lbs. This makes the R-120SW 12% heavier than the CW10.
Here is a comparison of how CW10 and R-120SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio CW10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CW10:
Powered subwooferGrille (pre-installed)4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)6-feet AC power cord10-feet Mono-minijack cableOwners ManualWarranty CardSafety Instructions
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-120SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-120SW:
Powered subGrille (installed)6.5-feet AC power cordUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
135k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
318mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1151cm2
vs
1904cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Monitor Audio CW10 |
Klipsch R-120SW |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-135 Hz |
29-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
318.0mm (12.5") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
307.0mm (12.1") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
375.0mm (14.8") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
12.61kg (27.7lbs) |
14.09kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |