In this review, we will be comparing SW-15 and SPL-150, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Wharfedale 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 Wharfedale SW-15 and Klipsch SPL-150 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.Wharfedale SW-15and Klipsch SPL-150 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 15" drivers.
Frequency Response
SW-15 has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas SPL-150 has a frequency range of 18-125 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the SPL-150 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SW-15's min frequency of 30Hz.
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
Both Wharfedale SW-15 and Klipsch SPL-150 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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.
New
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 Wharfedale SW-15's and Klipsch SPL-150's external dimensions. Wharfedale SW-15 has external dimensions of 570.0 x 493.0 x 615.0mm (22-7/16inch x 19-3/8inch x 24-3/16inch) whereas Klipsch SPL-150 has external dimensions of 547.0 x 496.0 x 604.0mm (21-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 23-3/4inch).
Klipsch SPL-150 is 23mm shorter and 11mm less deeper than Wharfedale SW-15 but it is also 3mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale SW-15 and Klipsch SPL-150 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale SW-15 and Klipsch SPL-150 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 Wharfedale SW-15 is approximately 3032.0cm2 / 470.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch SPL-150 is approximately 2995.8cm2 / 464.3inch2. The SW-15 requires 1% more surface area than the SPL-150 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 Wharfedale SW-15 weighs 31.57kg / 69.5lbs and the Klipsch SPL-150 weighs 34.27kg / 75.4lbs. This makes the SPL-150 9% heavier than the SW-15.
Here is a comparison of how SW-15 and SPL-150's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale SW-15?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SW-15:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User-feets Manual
What's in the Box of Klipsch SPL-150?
Here are the items that come with the SPL-150:
- Powered sub
- Grille
- 6.5-feet AC power cord
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
125 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
547mm
vs
570mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2995cm2
vs
3032cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
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. Wharfedale SW-15 is 23mm taller.
| General |
Wharfedale SW-15 |
Klipsch SPL-150 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
400 watts |
400 watts |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
18-125 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
400-watt RMS |
400-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
15" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Cerametallic |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
570.0mm (22.4") |
547.0mm (21.5") |
| Width |
493.0mm (19.4") |
496.0mm (19.5") |
| Depth |
615.0mm (24.2") |
604.0mm (23.8") |
| Weight |
31.57kg (69.5lbs) |
34.27kg (75.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Klipsch SPL-150 goes deeper - 18Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (400W vs 400W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (15" against 15"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Klipsch SPL-150 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Warranty | A | Wharfedale SW-15 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 | A | Wharfedale SW-15 costs less - $1,199 against $1,399, about 14% less. |
A Wharfedale SW-15 B Klipsch SPL-150
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.