In this review, we will be comparing Defiance X15 and SPL-120, 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 X15 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.Both Paradigm Defiance X15and Klipsch SPL-120 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm Defiance X15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-120 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Defiance X15 has a frequency range of 18-230 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Defiance X15 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SPL-120's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 X15 and Klipsch SPL-120 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 X15's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance X15 has external dimensions of 626.0 x 589.0 x 661.0mm (24-5/8inch x 23-3/16inch x 26inch) 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).
Paradigm Defiance X15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 214mm wider, 176mm taller and 121mm deeper than Klipsch SPL-120.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance X15 and Klipsch SPL-120 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance X15 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 Paradigm Defiance X15 is approximately 3893.3cm2 / 603.5inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The Defiance X15 requires 92% more surface area than the SPL-120 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 X15 weighs 41.82kg / 92lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the Defiance X15 104% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance X15 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 Paradigm Defiance X15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance X15:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feetAC power cord
- ARC microphone
- 12
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
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
12 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
450mm
vs
626mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2025cm2
vs
3893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1999USD
|
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.
Paradigm Defiance X15 needs about 92% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance X15 stands 121mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance X15 is 176mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance X15 |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
90 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
18-230 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
90-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
626.0mm (24.6") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
589.0mm (23.2") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
661.0mm (26") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
41.82kg (92lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| 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 X15 costs roughly 4x what Klipsch SPL-120 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 goes deeper - 18Hz against 24Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch SPL-120 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 90W RMS, about 5.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 moves more air: 15" against 12" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 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 | Klipsch SPL-120 is about 63% 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 | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 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-120 costs less - $499 against $1,999, about 75% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance X15 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?
The usual trade-off: Paradigm Defiance X15 measures better, Klipsch SPL-120 costs about 75% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Paradigm Defiance X15 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 $499 each, two Klipsch SPL-120 cost about $998 against $1,999 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.