In this review, we will be comparing NS-SW100 and R-121SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Yamaha 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 Yamaha NS-SW100 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.Both Yamaha NS-SW100and Klipsch R-121SW have a single woofer setup however the Yamaha NS-SW100's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Klipsch R-121SW features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
NS-SW100 has a frequency range of 25-180 Hz whereas R-121SW has a frequency range of 28-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the NS-SW100 can go slightly deeper then 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Yamaha NS-SW100 and Klipsch R-121SW 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.
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 Yamaha NS-SW100's and Klipsch R-121SW's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-SW100 has external dimensions of 352.4 x 352.4 x 409.6mm (13.875 x 13.875 x 16.125inch) 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 54.6mm wider, 70.6mm taller and 122.4mm deeper than Yamaha NS-SW100.
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.
Klipsch R-121SW needs about 50% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-121SW is 122mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-121SW is 71mm 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 Yamaha NS-SW100 is approximately 1443.4cm2 / 223.7inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-121SW is approximately 2165.2cm2 / 335.6inch2. The NS-SW100 requires 33% 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 Yamaha NS-SW100 weighs 12.02kg / 26.4lbs and the Klipsch R-121SW weighs 16.00kg / 35.2lbs. This makes the R-121SW 33% heavier than the NS-SW100.
Here is a comparison of how NS-SW100 and R-121SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
180 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
352mm
vs
423mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1443cm2
vs
2165cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
270USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
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 50% more floor area. Klipsch R-121SW stands 122mm further into the room. Klipsch R-121SW is 71mm taller.
| General |
Yamaha NS-SW100 |
Klipsch Reference R-121SW |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
50 watts |
200 watts |
| Frequency Response |
25-180 Hz |
28-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Spun-Copper TCP |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
352.4mm (13.9") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
352.4mm (13.9") |
407.0mm (16") |
| Depth |
409.6mm (16.1") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Weight |
12.02kg (26.4lbs) |
16.00kg (35.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Years |
Different price classes - Klipsch R-121SW costs roughly 2.2x what Yamaha NS-SW100 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Yamaha NS-SW100 goes deeper - 25Hz against 28Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 28Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | Klipsch R-121SW has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 50W RMS, about 6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | Klipsch R-121SW 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 | Yamaha NS-SW100 is about 44% 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. |
| Price | A | Yamaha NS-SW100 costs less - $270 against $599, about 55% less. |
A Yamaha NS-SW100 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?
Klipsch R-121SW is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 122% more. Yamaha NS-SW100 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 $270 each, two Yamaha NS-SW100 cost about $540 against $599 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Yamaha NS-SW100 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.