Short answer: the Onkyo SKW-204 for the higher ranking, the Klipsch R-121SW for the lower price. The Onkyo SKW-204 ranks #6 of 42 subwoofers at $299. The Klipsch R-121SW ranks #77 at $279, $20 cheaper.
What the Klipsch R-121SW gets right: 12-inch spun-copper driver with 200W RMS delivers controlled, musical bass with minimal distortion.
One note: the Onkyo SKW-204 is discontinued, but it still ranks #6 of 42 subwoofers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Klipsch R-121SW if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Onkyo SKW-204 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch R-121SW | Onkyo SKW-204 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $299 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 137 in Medium Powered Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #6 of 42 in Small Powered Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.7 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.0 dB | 71.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 98.4 dB | 84.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 102.3 dB | 97.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB | 102.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.4 dB | 108.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.9 dB | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.3 dB | 115.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 109.9 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 108.3 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB | 109.9 dB |
| Dimensions | 16.6"H x 16.0"W x 19.7"D (421.6 x 406.4 x 500.4 mm) | 18.62"H x 10.81"W x 16.87"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs / 15.9 kg | 26 lbs / 11.8 kg |
| Warranty | 5/2 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | Japan |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Power Output (Watts) | 200W RMS | - |
| Frequency Response | 28-120Hz | - |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch R-121SW: $279.00 Amazon
Pros: 12-inch spun-copper driver with 200W RMS delivers controlled, musical bass with minimal distortion. Front-firing design maximizes placement flexibility. Excellent value with exceptional bang-for-buck.
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16.6"H x 16.0"W x 19.7"D (421.6 x 406.4 x 500.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Frequency Response | 28-120Hz |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 98.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 102.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 109.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 108.3 dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 200W RMS |
| Warranty | 5/2 |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs / 15.9 kg |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch R-121SW vs SVS SB-2000
- Klipsch R-121SW vs Monoprice Monolith M-10 V2
- Klipsch R-121SW vs RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 10S MKII
- Klipsch R-121SW vs Rythmik F12
- Klipsch R-121SW vs Monoprice SSW-10
- Klipsch R-121SW vs Monoprice SW-12
- Klipsch R-121SW vs SVS PB-1000 PRO
- Klipsch R-121SW vs Kef KC62
- See all 14 comparisons
- Links
Onkyo SKW-204: $299 Discontinued
Cons: Discontinued.
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 109.9 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | Japan |
| Dimensions | 18.62"H x 10.81"W x 16.87"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 71.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 84.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 97.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 102.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.4 dB |
| Weight | 26 lbs / 11.8 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.