In this review, we will be comparing D12s and R-101SW, 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 R-101SW 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 R-101SW have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D12s features x -inch drivers whereas the R-101SW features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D12s has a frequency range of 20-289 Hz whereas R-101SW has a frequency range of 29.5-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the D12s can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-101SW's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 R-101SW 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 R-101SW'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 R-101SW has external dimensions of 370.0 x 358.0 x 529.0mm (14-9/16inch x 14-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch).
Klipsch R-101SW is 62.1mm narrower and 78.1mm shorter than Perlisten D12s but it is also 78.9mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-101SW is 79mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten D12s is 78mm 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 R-101SW is approximately 1893.8cm2 / 293.5inch2. The D12s requires 0% less surface area than the R-101SW 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 R-101SW weighs 13.91kg / 30.6lbs. This makes the D12s 195% heavier than the R-101SW.
Here is a comparison of how D12s and R-101SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
289 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1890cm2
vs
1893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
370mm
vs
448mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-101SW stands 79mm further into the room. Perlisten D12s is 78mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten D12s |
Klipsch Reference R-101SW |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-289 Hz |
29.5-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
150-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
448.1mm (17.6") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
420.1mm (16.5") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
450.1mm (17.7") |
529.0mm (20.8") |
| Weight |
41.00kg (90.2lbs) |
13.91kg (30.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Perlisten D12s costs roughly 11x what Klipsch R-101SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten D12s goes deeper - 20Hz against 30Hz. 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 | Klipsch R-101SW is about 17% 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 R-101SW costs less - $499 against $5,495, about 91% less. |
A Perlisten D12s B Klipsch R-101SW
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?
Perlisten D12s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 11x the price. Klipsch R-101SW is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 R-101SW cost about $998 against $5,495 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.