In this review, we will be comparing 3000 Micro R Evolution and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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.SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution and Klipsch R-121SW have a totally different setup: the SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution features 2 x 9-inch drivers whereas the R-121SW features 1 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
3000 Micro R Evolution has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the 3000 Micro R Evolution can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has external dimensions of 277.8 x 301.0 x 313.0mm () 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).
Klipsch R-121SW is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 106mm wider, 145.2mm taller and 219mm deeper than SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution.
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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is approximately 942.1cm2 / 146.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The 3000 Micro R Evolution requires 56% 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 SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution weighs 10.23kg / 22.5lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the R-121SW 56% heavier than the 3000 Micro R Evolution.
Here is a comparison of how 3000 Micro R Evolution and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution
What's in the Box of SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 3000 Micro R Evolution:
- Powered subwoofer
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 6' AC power cord
- Setup/Registration Guide
- Support Info
- SVS brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-121SW?
Here are the items that come with the R-121SW:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
277mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
942cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
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.
Klipsch R-121SW needs about 130% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 219mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 145mm taller.
| General |
SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
20-230 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1200-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
4000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
9" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
277.8mm (10.9") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
301.0mm (11.9") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
10.23kg (22.5lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| 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 |
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 | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution goes deeper - 20Hz against 28Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution has the bigger amplifier - 1200W against 200W RMS, about 7.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (2 x 9" against 12"). |
| Enclosure | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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. |
| Driver placement | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution fires side-firing and Klipsch R-121SW fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution is about 71% 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 | SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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-121SW costs less - $599 against $999, about 40% less. |
A SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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?
The usual trade-off: SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution measures better, Klipsch R-121SW costs about 40% 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-121SW will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, SVS 3000 Micro R Evolution 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 $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.