Short answer: the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#195 and #194 of 212 subwoofers), and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer costs $359 against $379.99 for the Klipsch Reference R-101SW, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Klipsch Reference R-101SW: Current 10-inch Reference subwoofer replacing the R-100SW and Klipsch R-10SW. The catch: Compact cabinet and 150W amplifier limit sustained ultra-low infrasonic output below 30Hz compared to larger 12-inch or 15-inch subwoofers.
What the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer does well: The smallest subwoofer in Polk’s Signature Elite range, matching the ES speakers in style. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 10, the 10” sub this range replaces (114.8dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands).
Buy the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20.99 less than the Klipsch Reference R-101SW.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Klipsch Reference R-101SW 3.0 to 3.4; Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer 2.8 to 3.5). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Reference R-101SW | Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379.99 each | $359.00 |
| Ranked | #194 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #195 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Warranty | 5/2 | 5/3 |
| Amplifier Power | 150W RMS (300W peak) | 100W |
| Dimensions | 14.6” x 14” x 18.4” (371 x 356 x 468 mm) | 15.2”H x 12.8”W x 17.2”D (385 x 326 x 437 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” spun-copper TCP woofer | 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported | ported |
| Frequency Response | 29.5Hz - 120Hz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 32-180Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB | - |
| Phase Control | Yes (0/180 degrees) | - |
| RCA Input | Yes (line level / LFE) | - |
| Weight | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch Reference R-101SW:
- RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 10E vs Klipsch Reference R-101SW
- BK Electronics XLS200-DF MK2 vs Klipsch Reference R-101SW
- BK Electronics XLS200-DF MK2 vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer
- RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 10E vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer
- Polk Audio Monitor XT12 vs Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Reference R-101SW: $379.99 each Estimated Amazon eBay
Older models: the Klipsch R-10SW (rated 3.2/5) and the Klipsch R-100SW (estimated 3.2/5). See every Klipsch Reference subwoofers generation.
Same family: the Klipsch R-121SW (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: Current 10-inch Reference subwoofer replacing the R-100SW and Klipsch R-10SW. Features a redesigned 10-inch front-firing spun-copper TCP (thermoformed crystalline polymer) woofer with improved cone stiffness and smoother crossover transitions, powered by an all-digital Class-D amplifier delivering 150W RMS (300W peak). Utilizes a rear-firing aerodynamic slot port in an MDF cabinet to reach a rated 29.5Hz extension (-3dB) and 115dB peak acoustic output. Includes low-pass crossover, phase switch (0/180), and line-level/LFE RCA inputs.
Cons: Compact cabinet and 150W amplifier limit sustained ultra-low infrasonic output below 30Hz compared to larger 12-inch or 15-inch subwoofers. Standardized ground-plane CEA-2010-A burst measurements have not yet been published.
Full Klipsch Reference R-101SW review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W RMS (300W peak) |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.6” x 14” x 18.4” (371 x 356 x 468 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” spun-copper TCP woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 29.5Hz - 120Hz (+/- 3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Phase Control | Yes (0/180 degrees) |
| RCA Input | Yes (line level / LFE) |
| Warranty | 5/2 |
| Weight | 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer: $359.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Polk Signature Elite ES10 (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.1/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES15 (bookshelf, rated 3.5/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES20 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES50 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES55 (floorstanding, estimated 4/5), the Polk Signature Elite ES60 (largest floorstanding, rated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES30 (smaller center, estimated 3.5/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5), the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10 Subwoofer (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.7/5) and the Polk Audio Signature Elite ES12 Subwoofer (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5). See every Polk Signature generation.
Pros: The smallest subwoofer in Polk’s Signature Elite range, matching the ES speakers in style. An 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer and twin Power Ports are driven by a 100W amplifier with DSP and Polk’s Time-Smart phase control, rated to 32Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Polk Audio HTS 10, the 10” sub this range replaces (114.8dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands). With a smaller woofer and a third of the newer models’ power, it is suited to small rooms.
Full Polk Audio Signature Elite ES8 Subwoofer review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 12.8”W x 17.2”D (385 x 326 x 437 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 32-180Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons