In this review, we will be comparing HTS 12 and SPL-120, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Polk Audio 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 Polk HTS 12 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.Polk HTS 12and Klipsch SPL-120 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 12" drivers.
Frequency Response
HTS 12 has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the SPL-120 can go slightly deeper then the HTS 12'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 Polk HTS 12 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.
Polk HTS 12 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 Polk HTS 12's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. Polk HTS 12 has external dimensions of 478.0 x 437.0 x 510.0mm (18-13/16 x 17-3/16 x 20-1/16inch) 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).
Klipsch SPL-120 is 62mm narrower and 28mm shorter than Polk HTS 12 but it is also 30mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk HTS 12 and Klipsch SPL-120 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk HTS 12 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 Polk HTS 12 is approximately 2228.7cm2 / 345.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The HTS 12 requires 10% 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 Polk HTS 12 weighs 22.68kg / 49.9lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the HTS 12 11% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how HTS 12 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 Polk HTS 12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of HTS 12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 8-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
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
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
450mm
vs
478mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2025cm2
vs
2228cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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.
Polk HTS 12 needs about 10% more floor area. Klipsch SPL-120 stands 30mm further into the room. Polk HTS 12 is 28mm taller.
| General |
Polk Audio HTS 12 |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
200 watts |
300 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-120 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
400-watt RMS |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
478.0mm (18.8") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
437.0mm (17.2") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
510.0mm (20.1") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
22.68kg (49.9lbs) |
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 |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch SPL-120 goes deeper - 24Hz against 28Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 28Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch SPL-120 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (12" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-120 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Warranty | A | Polk HTS 12 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 $549, about 9% less. |
A Polk HTS 12 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?
Klipsch SPL-120 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
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.