In this review, we will be comparing Elite ES8 and R-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 Signature Elite ES8 and Klipsch R-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 Signature Elite ES8and Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Polk Signature Elite ES8's woofer is 8-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Elite ES8 has a frequency range of 32-180 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz.
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
The Polk Signature Elite ES8 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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. On the other hand the Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
Polk Signature Elite ES8 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 Signature Elite ES8's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Polk Signature Elite ES8 has external dimensions of 385.0 x 326.0 x 437.0mm (15-1/8inch x 12-13/16inch x 17-3/16inch) whereas Klipsch R-100SW has external dimensions of 372.0 x 320.0 x 459.0mm (14-5/8 x 12-9/16 x 18-1/16inch).
Klipsch R-100SW is 6mm narrower and 13mm shorter than Polk Signature Elite ES8 but it is also 22mm 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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-100SW is 22mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Polk Signature Elite ES8 is 13mm 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 Polk Signature Elite ES8 is approximately 1424.6cm2 / 220.8inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The Elite ES8 requires 3% less surface area than the R-100SW 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 Signature Elite ES8 weighs 17.73kg / 39lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the Elite ES8 63% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how Elite ES8 and R-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 Signature Elite ES8?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Elite ES8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration sheet
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-100SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-100SW:
- Powered sub
- Grille (installed)
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1424cm2
vs
1468cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
372mm
vs
385mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
449USD
|
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch R-100SW stands 22mm further into the room. Polk Signature Elite ES8 is 13mm taller.
| General |
Polk Signature Elite ES8 |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
100 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-180 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Mineral-filled polypropylene |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
385.0mm (15.2") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
326.0mm (12.8") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
437.0mm (17.2") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
17.73kg (39lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| 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 |
Different price classes - Polk Signature Elite ES8 costs roughly 1.6x what Klipsch R-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (32Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-100SW has the bigger amplifier - 150W against 100W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch R-100SW moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x 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. |
| Warranty | A | Polk Signature Elite ES8 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 R-100SW costs less - $275 against $449, about 39% less. |
A Polk Signature Elite ES8 B Klipsch R-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?
Klipsch R-100SW has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. 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 $275 each, two Klipsch R-100SW cost about $550 against $449 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.