In this review, we will be comparing Monitor XT12 and RW-100SW, 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 Monitor XT12 and Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Monitor XT12and Klipsch RW-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Polk Monitor XT12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch RW-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor XT12 has a frequency range of 24-160 Hz whereas RW-100SW has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Monitor XT12 can go slightly deeper then the RW-100SW's min frequency of 27Hz.
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 Monitor XT12 and Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Monitor XT12's and Klipsch RW-100SW's external dimensions. Polk Monitor XT12 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 408.0 x 485.0mm (16-7/16inch x 16-1/16inch x 19-1/16inch) whereas Klipsch RW-100SW has external dimensions of 383.0 x 383.0 x 472.0mm (15-1/16inch x 15-1/16inch x 18-9/16inch).
Polk Monitor XT12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 35mm taller and 13mm deeper than Klipsch RW-100SW.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk Monitor XT12 and Klipsch RW-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Polk Monitor XT12 and Klipsch RW-100SW 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 Monitor XT12 is approximately 1978.8cm2 / 306.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RW-100SW is approximately 1807.8cm2 / 280.2inch2. The Monitor XT12 requires 9% more surface area than the RW-100SW 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 Monitor XT12 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the Klipsch RW-100SW weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs.
Here is a comparison of how Monitor XT12 and RW-100SW'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 Monitor XT12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor XT12:
- Black powered subwoofer
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
What's in the Box of Klipsch RW-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the RW-100SW:
- Wireless powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
160 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
383mm
vs
418mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1807cm2
vs
1978cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 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.
Polk Monitor XT12 needs about 9% more floor area. Polk Monitor XT12 is 35mm taller.
| General |
Polk Monitor XT12 |
Klipsch Reference Wireless RW-100SW |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
225 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-160 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
225-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
418.0mm (16.5") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Width |
408.0mm (16.1") |
383.0mm (15.1") |
| Depth |
485.0mm (19.1") |
472.0mm (18.6") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
| 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 | A | Polk Monitor XT12 goes deeper - 24Hz against 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch RW-100SW has the bigger amplifier - 225W against 50W RMS, about 6.5dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Polk Monitor XT12 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 Monitor XT12 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 RW-100SW 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 Monitor XT12 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 RW-100SW costs less - $350 against $399, about 12% less. |
A Polk Monitor XT12 B Klipsch RW-100SW
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 Monitor XT12 leads across most of the measured areas for a modest premium, so it is the easier pick if the budget stretches. Klipsch RW-100SW is the one to take if it does not. Check your amplifier first: if it has no subwoofer or preamp output, Polk Monitor XT12 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.