In this review, we will be comparing Performa4 B140 and SPL-120, 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 Performa4 B140 and Klipsch SPL-120 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 Performa4 B140and Klipsch SPL-120 have a single woofer setup however the Revel Performa4 B140's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Klipsch SPL-120 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Performa4 B140 has a frequency range of 26-150 Hz whereas SPL-120 has a frequency range of 24-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the SPL-120 can go slightly deeper then the Performa4 B140's min frequency of 26Hz.
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 Revel Performa4 B140's and Klipsch SPL-120's external dimensions. Revel Performa4 B140 has external dimensions of 376.2 x 430.2 x 438.2mm () whereas Klipsch SPL-120 has external dimensions of 450.0 x 375.0 x 540.0mm (17-11/16 x 14-3/4 x 21-1/4inch).
Revel Performa4 B140 is 73.8mm shorter and 101.8mm less deeper than Klipsch SPL-120 but it is also 55.2mm 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.
Near-identical footprints. Klipsch SPL-120 is 102mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch SPL-120 is 74mm 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 Revel Performa4 B140 is approximately 1885.1cm2 / 292.2inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-120 is approximately 2025.0cm2 / 313.9inch2. The Performa4 B140 requires 7% less surface area than the SPL-120 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 Revel Performa4 B140 weighs 27.81kg / 61.2lbs and the Klipsch SPL-120 weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs. This makes the Performa4 B140 36% heavier than the SPL-120.
Here is a comparison of how Performa4 B140 and SPL-120's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 High Frequency Response |
150 Hz
vs
125 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
376mm
vs
450mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1885cm2
vs
2025cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
26 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
3000USD
|
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-120 stands 102mm further into the room. Klipsch SPL-120 is 74mm taller.
| General |
Revel Performa4 B140 |
Klipsch SPL-120 |
| Brand |
Revel |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
26-150 Hz |
24-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
750-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1500-watt RMS |
600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
376.2mm (14.8") |
450.0mm (17.7") |
| Width |
430.2mm (16.9") |
375.0mm (14.8") |
| Depth |
438.2mm (17.3") |
540.0mm (21.3") |
| Weight |
27.81kg (61.2lbs) |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 years |
2 Years |
Different price classes - Revel Performa4 B140 costs roughly 6x what Klipsch SPL-120 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (26Hz vs 24Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | Revel Performa4 B140 has the bigger amplifier - 750W against 300W RMS, about 4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch SPL-120 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 | Revel Performa4 B140 is about 22% 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 Performa4 B140 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 SPL-120 costs less - $499 against $3,000, about 83% less. |
A Revel Performa4 B140 B Klipsch SPL-120
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?
Revel Performa4 B140 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 6x the price. Klipsch SPL-120 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $499 each, two Klipsch SPL-120 cost about $998 against $3,000 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.