In this review, we will be comparing SubSeries 350 and SPL-120, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from PSB 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 PSB SubSeries 350 and Klipsch SPL-120 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.PSB SubSeries 350and Klipsch SPL-120 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
SubSeries 350 has a frequency range of 25-150 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the SPL-120 can go slightly deeper then the SubSeries 350's min frequency of 25Hz.
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 PSB SubSeries 350 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 SPL-120 have Bass Reflex type enclosure. 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 PSB SubSeries 350's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. PSB SubSeries 350 has external dimensions of 407.0 x 394.0 x 445.0mm (16 x 15-1/2 x 17-1/2inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch).
PSB SubSeries 350 is 43mm shorter and 95mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-120 but it is also 19mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB SubSeries 350 and Klipsch SPL-120 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB SubSeries 350 and Klipsch SPL-120 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 PSB SubSeries 350 is approximately 1753.3cm2 / 271.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The SubSeries 350 requires 13% less surface area than the SPL-120 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 PSB SubSeries 350 weighs 23.18kg / 51lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the SubSeries 350 13% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how SubSeries 350 and SPL-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB SubSeries 350?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SubSeries 350:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-120?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-120:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
407mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1753cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1299USD
|
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-120 needs about 15% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 95mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 43mm taller.
| General |
PSB SubSeries 350 |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
PSB |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-150 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
50-150 Hz and 80 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
407.0mm (16") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
394.0mm (15.5") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
445.0mm (17.5") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
23.18kg (51lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (25Hz vs 24Hz). |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 300W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | PSB SubSeries 350 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch SPL-120 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | PSB SubSeries 350 takes a speaker-level connection as well as line level. That is what lets it work with an integrated amplifier or a vintage receiver that has no subwoofer output at all. |
| Cabinet size | depends | PSB SubSeries 350 is about 22% 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 SPL-120 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 | B | Klipsch SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $1,299, about 62% less. |
A PSB SubSeries 350 B Klipsch SPL-120
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. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch SPL-120 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, PSB SubSeries 350 is usually the easier one to make sound right. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, PSB SubSeries 350 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.