In this review, we will be comparing Classic 99 and SPL-100, 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 SPL-100 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 SPL-100 have a single woofer setup however the REL Classic 99's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-100 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Classic 99 has a frequency range of 24-120 Hz whereas SPL-100 has a frequency range of 27-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the Classic 99 can go slightly deeper then the SPL-100'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
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 SPL-100's external dimensions. REL Classic 99 has external dimensions of 536.6 x 400.1 x 396.9mm () whereas Klipsch SPL-100 has external dimensions of 418.0 x 358.0 x 478.0mm (16-7/16 x 14-1/16 x 18-13/16inch).
Klipsch SPL-100 is 42.1mm narrower and 118.6mm shorter than REL Classic 99 but it is also 81.1mm 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 SPL-100 is approximately 1711.2cm2 / 265.2inch2. The Classic 99 requires 7% less surface area than the SPL-100 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 99 weighs 22.36kg / 49.2lbs and the Klipsch SPL-100 weighs 16.82kg / 37lbs. This makes the Classic 99 33% heavier than the SPL-100.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 99 and SPL-100'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
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1588cm2
vs
1711cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
418mm
vs
536mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch SPL-100 stands 81mm further into the room. REL Classic 99 is 119mm taller.
| General |
REL Classic 99 |
Klipsch SPL-100 |
| Brand |
REL |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-120 Hz |
27-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
450-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
450-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
536.6mm (21.1") |
418.0mm (16.5") |
| Width |
400.1mm (15.8") |
358.0mm (14.1") |
| Depth |
396.9mm (15.6") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Weight |
22.36kg (49.2lbs) |
16.82kg (37lbs) |
| 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 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | REL Classic 99 has the bigger amplifier - 450W against 200W RMS, about 3.5dB 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 SPL-100 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 | 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 SPL-100 costs less - $399 against $2,099, about 81% less. |
A REL Classic 99 B Klipsch SPL-100
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 SPL-100 costs about 81% 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 SPL-100 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 $399 each, two Klipsch SPL-100 cost about $798 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.