In this review, we will be comparing B1 and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Revel 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 Revel B1 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 Revel B1and Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the Revel B1's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
B1 has a frequency range of 36-150 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 32Hz, the R-100SW can go slightly deeper then the B1's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 Revel B1 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.
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 Revel B1's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. Revel B1 has external dimensions of 451.0 x 402.0 x 391.0mm (17-3/4 x 15-13/16 x 15-3/8inch) 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 82mm narrower and 79mm shorter than Revel B1 but it is also 68mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Revel B1 and Klipsch R-100SW in scale.
Comparison image of Revel B1 and Klipsch R-100SW Size and External Dimensions
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 Revel B1 is approximately 1571.8cm2 / 243.6inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The B1 requires 7% 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 Revel B1 weighs 23.18kg / 51lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the B1 112% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how B1 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 Revel B1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of B1:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Grille
- 16-feet Mono-RCA cable
- Owners Manual
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
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| Low Frequency Response |
32 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
372mm
vs
451mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1571cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
999USD
|
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 68mm further into the room. Revel B1 is 79mm taller.
| General |
Revel B1 |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
Revel |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
250 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
36-150 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
250-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Micro Ceramic Composite |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
451.0mm (17.8") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
402.0mm (15.8") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
391.0mm (15.4") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
23.18kg (51lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Revel B1 costs roughly 3.6x what Klipsch R-100SW does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch R-100SW goes deeper - 32Hz against 36Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 36Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Revel B1 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 | A | Revel B1 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 | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-100SW is about 23% 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 | Revel B1 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 $999, about 72% less. |
A Revel B1 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: Revel B1 measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 72% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $999 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.