In this review, we will be comparing Defiance V10 and SPL-100, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm 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 Paradigm Defiance V10 and Klipsch SPL-100 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.Paradigm Defiance V10and Klipsch SPL-100 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Defiance V10 has a frequency range of 29-200 Hz whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the SPL-100 can go slightly deeper then the Defiance V10's min frequency of 29Hz.
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 Paradigm Defiance V10 and Klipsch SPL-100 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 Paradigm Defiance V10's and Klipsch SPL-100's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance V10 has external dimensions of 397.0 x 362.0 x 435.0mm (15-5/8inch x 14-1/4inch x 17-1/8inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch).
Paradigm Defiance V10 is 21mm shorter and 43mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-100 but it is also 4mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance V10 and Klipsch SPL-100 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance V10 and Klipsch SPL-100 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 Paradigm Defiance V10 is approximately 1574.7cm2 / 244.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The Defiance V10 requires 8% less surface area than the SPL-100 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 Paradigm Defiance V10 weighs 15.23kg / 33.5lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the SPL-100 10% heavier than the Defiance V10.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance V10 and SPL-100's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance V10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance V10:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-100?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-100:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
397mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1574cm2
vs
1711cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
679USD
|
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-100 needs about 9% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-100 stands 43mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-100 is 21mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance V10 |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
120 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
29-200 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
397.0mm (15.6") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
362.0mm (14.3") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
435.0mm (17.1") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
15.23kg (33.5lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Paradigm Defiance V10 costs roughly 1.7x what Klipsch SPL-100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (29Hz vs 27Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch SPL-100 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 120W RMS, about 2.2dB 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. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Paradigm Defiance V10 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. |
| Warranty | A | Paradigm Defiance V10 carries 3 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch SPL-100 costs less - $399 against $679, about 41% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance V10 B Klipsch SPL-100
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?
Paradigm Defiance V10 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 70% more. Klipsch SPL-100 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance V10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all. 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 $399 each, two Klipsch SPL-100 cost about $798 against $679 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.