In this review, we will be comparing PSW10 and R-10SWi, 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 PSW10 and Klipsch R-10SWi 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 PSW10and Klipsch R-10SWi have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
PSW10 has a frequency range of 40-160 Hz whereas R-10SWi has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the R-10SWi can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PSW10's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 PSW10 and Klipsch R-10SWi 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-10SWi 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 PSW10's and Klipsch R-10SWi's external dimensions. Polk PSW10 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 356.0 x 412.0mm (14-3/8 x 14 x 16-3/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-10SWi has external dimensions of 370.0 x 318.0 x 462.0mm (14-9/16 x 12-1/2 x 18-3/16inch).
Polk PSW10 is 4mm shorter and 50mm less deeper than Klipsch R-10SWi but it is also 38mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk PSW10 and Klipsch R-10SWi in scale.
Comparison image of Polk PSW10 and Klipsch R-10SWi 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 PSW10 is approximately 1466.7cm2 / 227.3inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-10SWi is approximately 1469.2cm2 / 227.7inch2. The PSW10 requires 0% less surface area than the R-10SWi 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 Polk PSW10 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the Klipsch R-10SWi weighs 11.59kg / 25.5lbs. This makes the PSW10 2% heavier than the R-10SWi.
Here is a comparison of how PSW10 and R-10SWi'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 PSW10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PSW10:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-10SWi?
Here are the items that come with the R-10SWi:
- Powered sub
- Wireless transmitter (attached 12
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
366mm
vs
370mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1466cm2
vs
1469cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
249USD
vs
274USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Wireless Operation |
Yes
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-10SWi stands 50mm further into the room.
| General |
Polk Audio PSW10 |
Klipsch Reference R-10SWi |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
40-160 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer Composite |
Copper IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
366.0mm (14.4") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
356.0mm (14") |
318.0mm (12.5") |
| Depth |
412.0mm (16.2") |
462.0mm (18.2") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
11.59kg (25.5lbs) |
| 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 R-10SWi goes deeper - 32Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-10SWi has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 50W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Polk PSW10 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. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch R-10SWi offers a wireless link. It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Warranty | A | Polk PSW10 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 | A | Polk PSW10 costs less - $249 against $274, about 9% less. |
A Polk PSW10 B Klipsch R-10SWi
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk PSW10 is the only one of these two you can connect at all.
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.