In this review, we will be comparing CW8 and R-100SW, 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 CW8 and Klipsch R-100SW 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 CW8 and Klipsch R-100SW 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 CW8and Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Monitor Audio CW8's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
CW8 has a frequency range of 35-135 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the R-100SW can go slightly deeper then the CW8's min frequency of 35Hz.
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 CW8 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-100SW 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 CW8's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Monitor Audio CW8 has external dimensions of 274.0 x 262.0 x 326.0mm ( 10-3/4 x 10-5/16 x 12-13/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-100SW has external dimensions of 372.0 x 320.0 x 459.0mm ( 14-5/8 x 12-9/16 x 18-1/16inch) .
Klipsch R-100SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 58mm wider, 98mm taller and 133mm deeper than Monitor Audio CW8.
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 CW8 is approximately 854.1cm2 / 132.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The CW8 requires 42% less surface area than the R-100SW 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 CW8 weighs 9.55kg / 21lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the R-100SW 14% heavier than the CW8.
Here is a comparison of how CW8 and R-100SW'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 CW8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CW8:
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-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-100SW:
Powered subGrille (installed)6.5-feet AC power cordUser ManualImportant Safety InstructionsWarranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
135k Hz
vs
120k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
274mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
854cm2 (262x326mm)
vs
1468cm2 (320x459mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
35 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Monitor Audio CW8 |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
350 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
35-135 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
350-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
274.0mm (10.8") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
262.0mm (10.3") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
9.55kg (21lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| 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 |