In this review, we will be comparing D12s and RP-1200SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Perlisten 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 Perlisten D12s and Klipsch RP-1200SW 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.Perlisten D12s and Klipsch RP-1200SW have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D12s features x -inch drivers whereas the RP-1200SW features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D12s has a frequency range of 20-289 Hz whereas RP-1200SW has a frequency range of 16.5-138 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the RP-1200SW can go slightly deeper then the D12s's min frequency of 20Hz.
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 Perlisten D12s and Klipsch RP-1200SW 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 Perlisten D12s's and Klipsch RP-1200SW's external dimensions. Perlisten D12s has external dimensions of 448.1 x 420.1 x 450.1mm (17.64 x 16.54 x 17.72inch) whereas Klipsch RP-1200SW has external dimensions of 482.0 x 432.0 x 659.0mm (18-15/16inch x 17inch x 25-15/16inch).
Klipsch RP-1200SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 11.9mm wider, 33.9mm taller and 208.9mm deeper than Perlisten D12s.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch RP-1200SW needs about 51% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 209mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 34mm taller.
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 Perlisten D12s is approximately 1890.9cm2 / 293.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-1200SW is approximately 2846.9cm2 / 441.3inch2. The D12s requires 34% less surface area than the RP-1200SW 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 Perlisten D12s weighs 41.00kg / 90.2lbs and the Klipsch RP-1200SW weighs 31.18kg / 68.6lbs. This makes the D12s 31% heavier than the RP-1200SW.
Here is a comparison of how D12s and RP-1200SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
289 Hz
vs
138 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
448mm
vs
482mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1890cm2
vs
2846cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
20 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
5495USD
|
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 RP-1200SW needs about 51% more floor area. Klipsch RP-1200SW stands 209mm further into the room. Klipsch RP-1200SW is 34mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten D12s |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1200SW |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-289 Hz |
16.5-138 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
400-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
800-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
448.1mm (17.6") |
482.0mm (19") |
| Width |
420.1mm (16.5") |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
450.1mm (17.7") |
659.0mm (25.9") |
| Weight |
41.00kg (90.2lbs) |
31.18kg (68.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF with Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Ebony |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 years |
Different price classes - Perlisten D12s costs roughly 5x what Klipsch RP-1200SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch RP-1200SW goes deeper - 17Hz against 20Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Perlisten D12s is about 38% 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. |
| Price | B | Klipsch RP-1200SW costs less - $1,100 against $5,495, about 80% less. |
A Perlisten D12s B Klipsch RP-1200SW
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?
Klipsch RP-1200SW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $1,100 each, two Klipsch RP-1200SW cost about $2,200 against $5,495 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Perlisten D12s is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.