In this review, we will be comparing Classic 99 and R-100SW, 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 99 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 REL Classic 99and Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the REL Classic 99's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Classic 99 has a frequency range of 24-120 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Classic 99 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-100SW'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
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 99's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. REL Classic 99 has external dimensions of 536.6 x 400.1 x 396.9mm () 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 80.1mm narrower and 164.6mm shorter than REL Classic 99 but it is also 62.1mm deeper.
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 99 is approximately 1588.0cm2 / 246.1inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The Classic 99 requires 8% more surface area than the R-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 REL Classic 99 weighs 22.36kg / 49.2lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the Classic 99 105% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 99 and R-100SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
372mm
vs
536mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1588cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
2099USD
|
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.
REL Classic 99 needs about 8% more floor area. Klipsch R-100SW stands 62mm further into the room. REL Classic 99 is 165mm taller.
| General |
REL Classic 99 |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
REL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-120 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
450-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
536.6mm (21.1") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
400.1mm (15.8") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
396.9mm (15.6") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
22.36kg (49.2lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| 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 | A | REL Classic 99 goes deeper - 24Hz against 32Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | REL Classic 99 has the bigger amplifier - 450W against 150W RMS, about 4.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | REL Classic 99 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 99 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. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-100SW 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 99 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 $2,099, about 87% less. |
A REL Classic 99 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: REL Classic 99 measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 87% 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, REL Classic 99 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 $2,099 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.