In this review, we will be comparing Q SUB100 and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 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.Q Acoustics Q SUB100and Klipsch R-100SW have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Q SUB100 has a frequency range of 32-250 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 has a Infinite Baffle type cabinet. On the other hand the Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Q Acoustics Q SUB100 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 350.0 x 382.0mm (13-3/4 x 13-3/4 x 15-1/16inch) 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).
Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is 22mm shorter and 77mm less deeper than Klipsch R-100SW but it is also 30mm wider.
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.
Klipsch R-100SW needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-100SW is 77mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-100SW is 22mm 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is approximately 1337.0cm2 / 207.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The Q SUB100 requires 9% 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 Q Acoustics Q SUB100 weighs 16.70kg / 36.7lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the Q SUB100 53% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how Q SUB100 and R-100SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
250 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
350mm
vs
372mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1337cm2
vs
1468cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
699USD
|
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.
Klipsch R-100SW needs about 10% more floor area. Klipsch R-100SW stands 77mm further into the room. Klipsch R-100SW is 22mm taller.
| General |
Q Acoustics Q SUB100 |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Q Acoustics |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
32-250 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
500-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper composite |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
350.0mm (13.8") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
350.0mm (13.8") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
382.0mm (15") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
16.70kg (36.7lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Infinite Baffle |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (32Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 has the bigger amplifier - 250W against 150W RMS, about 2.2dB 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 | depends | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch R-100SW is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Warranty | A | Q Acoustics Q SUB100 carries 5 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 $699, about 61% less. |
A Q Acoustics Q SUB100 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?
The usual trade-off: Q Acoustics Q SUB100 measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 61% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch R-100SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Q Acoustics Q SUB100 is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $699 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.