In this review, we will be comparing PSW125 and SPL-100, 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 PSW125 and Klipsch SPL-100 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.Both Polk PSW125and Klipsch SPL-100 have a single woofer setup however the Polk PSW125's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-100 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PSW125 has a frequency range of 32-225 Hz whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the SPL-100 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PSW125's min frequency of 32Hz.
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 PSW125 and Klipsch SPL-100 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 Polk PSW125's and Klipsch SPL-100's external dimensions. Polk PSW125 has external dimensions of 424.0 x 413.0 x 520.0mm (16-11/16 x 16-1/4 x 20-7/16inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch).
Polk PSW125 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 55mm wider, 6mm taller and 42mm deeper than Klipsch SPL-100.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk PSW125 and Klipsch SPL-100 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk PSW125 and Klipsch SPL-100 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 PSW125 is approximately 2147.6cm2 / 332.9inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The PSW125 requires 26% more surface area than the SPL-100 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 PSW125 weighs 18.23kg / 40.1lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the PSW125 8% heavier than the SPL-100.
Here is a comparison of how PSW125 and SPL-100'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 PSW125?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of PSW125:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille (installed)
- 8-feet Detachable power cord
- 4 Rubber insert feet
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
- Rubber feet installation diagram
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-100?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-100:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
225 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
418mm
vs
424mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1711cm2
vs
2147cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 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 PSW125 needs about 25% more floor area. Polk PSW125 stands 42mm further into the room.
| General |
Polk Audio PSW125 |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
150 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-225 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
150-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
DB Composite |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
424.0mm (16.7") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
413.0mm (16.3") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
520.0mm (20.5") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
18.23kg (40.1lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| 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-100 goes deeper - 27Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch SPL-100 has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 150W RMS, about 1.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Polk PSW125 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Speaker-level inputs | A | Polk PSW125 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 SPL-100 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch SPL-100 is about 21% 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. |
| Warranty | A | Polk PSW125 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 PSW125 costs less - $349 against $399, about 13% less. |
A Polk PSW125 B Klipsch SPL-100
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?
Polk PSW125 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk PSW125 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.