In this review, we will be comparing Classic 98 and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from REL 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 REL Classic 98 and Klipsch R-121SW 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 REL Classic 98and Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the REL Classic 98's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Classic 98 has a frequency range of 27-120 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the Classic 98 can go slightly deeper then the R-121SW's min frequency of 28Hz.
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
Klipsch R-121SW 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 REL Classic 98's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. REL Classic 98 has external dimensions of 476.3 x 350.8 x 352.4mm () whereas Klipsch R-121SW has external dimensions of 423.0 x 407.0 x 532.0mm (16-5/8inch x 16inch x 20-15/16inch).
REL Classic 98 is 56.2mm narrower and 179.6mm less deeper than Klipsch R-121SW but it is also 53.3mm 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 REL Classic 98 is approximately 1236.2cm2 / 191.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The Classic 98 requires 43% less surface area than the R-121SW 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 REL Classic 98 weighs 22.36kg / 49.2lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the Classic 98 40% heavier than the R-121SW.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 98 and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1236cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
423mm
vs
476mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1499USD
|
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-121SW needs about 75% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 180mm further into the room. REL Classic 98 is 53mm taller.
| General |
REL Classic 98 |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
REL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
27-120 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
476.3mm (18.8") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
350.8mm (13.8") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
352.4mm (13.9") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
22.36kg (49.2lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 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 (27Hz vs 28Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | REL Classic 98 has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 200W RMS, about 1.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch R-121SW 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 | depends | REL Classic 98 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; Klipsch R-121SW 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | REL Classic 98 is about 36% 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 | REL Classic 98 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-121SW costs less - $599 against $1,499, about 60% less. |
A REL Classic 98 B Klipsch R-121SW
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?
REL Classic 98 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 2.5x the price. Klipsch R-121SW is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Klipsch R-121SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, REL Classic 98 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 $599 each, two Klipsch R-121SW cost about $1,198 against $1,499 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.