In this review, we will be comparing D15s and R-121SW, 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 D15s and Klipsch R-121SW 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 D15s and Klipsch R-121SW have a totally different setup: the Perlisten D15s features x -inch drivers whereas the R-121SW features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
D15s has a frequency range of 20-320 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the D15s can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-121SW's min frequency of 28Hz.
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 D15s and Klipsch R-121SW 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.
Klipsch R-121SW Port
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 D15s's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Perlisten D15s has external dimensions of 528.1 x 500.1 x 500.1mm (20.79 x 19.69 x 19.69inch) whereas Klipsch R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch).
Klipsch R-121SW is 93.1mm narrower and 105.1mm shorter than Perlisten D15s but it is also 31.9mm 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.
Perlisten D15s needs about 16% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 32mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Perlisten D15s is 105mm 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 D15s is approximately 2501.0cm2 / 387.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The D15s requires 16% more surface area than the R-121SW 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 Perlisten D15s weighs 46.00kg / 101.2lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the D15s 188% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how D15s and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
320 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
423mm
vs
528mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2165cm2
vs
2501cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
6595USD
|
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.
Perlisten D15s needs about 16% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 32mm further into the room. Perlisten D15s is 105mm taller.
| General |
Perlisten D15s |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Perlisten |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
20-320 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
n/a |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
528.1mm (20.8") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
500.1mm (19.7") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
500.1mm (19.7") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
46.00kg (101.2lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| 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 D15s costs roughly 11x what Klipsch R-121SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Perlisten D15s goes deeper - 20Hz against 28Hz. 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-121SW is about 31% 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-121SW costs less - $599 against $6,595, about 91% less. |
A Perlisten D15s B Klipsch R-121SW
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 D15s is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 11x the price. Klipsch R-121SW 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 $599 each, two Klipsch R-121SW cost about $1,198 against $6,595 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch R-121SW 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.