Short answer: the Klipsch R-121SW. It ranks #132 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $389.99. The Klipsch R-12SW ranks #176, rated 3.3/5, at $259, $130.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Klipsch R-121SW is the better-sounding pick. A 12 inch front-firing subwoofer with Klipsch’s copper colored woofer, an affordable pick for home theater. The catch: Output drops to 98.4dB at 25Hz and 96.0dB at 20Hz, so the deepest film effects will be weak in a large room.
Why pick the Klipsch R-12SW: A budget 12 inch ported subwoofer with a simple cube design and easy RCA hookup. The tradeoff: The reviewed unit died during the review, and several owners report the amplifier failing.
Buy the Klipsch R-121SW. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $130.99 with the Klipsch R-12SW does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch R-121SW | Klipsch R-12SW | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.99 | $259.00 |
| Ranked | #132 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #176 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.7 dB | 68.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.0 dB | 86.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 98.4 dB | 97.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 102.3 dB | 100.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.4 dB | 109.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.9 dB | 111.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.3 dB | 109.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 109.9 dB | 107.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 108.3 dB | 105.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB | 108.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 16”W x 19.7”D (421.6 x 406.4 x 500.4 mm) | 16”H x 14”W x 18.5”D (406.4 x 355.6 x 469.9 mm) |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) | 33.1 lbs (15.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/2 | 5/2 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Amplifier Power | 200W RMS | 200W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 28-120Hz | 29-120Hz |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver | 12” (305mm) driver |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Klipsch R-121SW: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Klipsch R-12SW: reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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