Everybody loves the low-end boost that subwoofers can provide. People also don’t want to pay a ton for it. In this review, we’ll see if the Klipsch R-120SW is a subwoofer that can deliver well enough to justify its price point.
- Great Power (400 Peak Watts) + Loud Volume
- Surprisingly Compact and Light (31 Pounds)
- Impressively Hard Hitting Despite Size
- Solid Value for Price Point
Table of Contents
Key Specifications of Klipsch R-120SW Sub
- Dimensions: 16.5″ (H) x 14″ (W) x 19.3″ (D)
- Weight: 31 pounds
- Subwoofer Type: Powered Subwoofer
- Enclosure Type: Front-Firing Woofer / Rear-Firing Port
- Power: 200 Watts (RMS) / 400 Watts (Peak) – Class D Amplifier
- Frequency Response: 29Hz – 120 Hz
- Woofer: 12″ IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) Copper Spun Woofer
- Connectivity: LFE / RCA
- Warranty: 5 Years (Woofer) + 2 Years (Amp)
- Onboard Controls: Variable Low Pass Crossover, Gain/Volume dial, and Phase Switch
- Additional Features: Indicator light, Auto on/off, and detachable cover
What’s Included In Box:
- 12″ Powered Subwoofer [Ported Enclosure]
- Detachable Cover
- 6.5′ AC Power Cord
- User Manual and Safety/Warranty Info
Product Summary
Are you looking for a powered subwoofer that will take your sound system or home theater to a whole new level? Look no further than the Klipsch R-120SW. Like other Klipsch speakers, this Klipsch subwoofer can deliver power and durability in an elegant package with amazing audio quality. The Klipsch design means a crystal clear tone and big bass sound. This subwoofer’s medium size also makes a flexible addition to your speaker system. With the signature copper-spun driver beneath the grille and sturdy rubber feet, the Klipsch R-120SW is highly durable. But don’t mistake durability for stodginess. The black textured cabinet with its injection-molded graphite and spun-copper driver makes for a classy unit that is worth the price tag. Read on to find out more about the Klipsch R-120SW subwoofer’s features: power, design, sound quality, and low-frequency performance. Overall, this is a fairly priced, powerful, understated sub with great bass quality.
Highlights of Klipsch R-120SW
400 Watts Peak Power + 12″ Woofer
The Klipsch R-120SW promises 400 watts at peak power–the highest level the speaker can handle. But with an RMS rating of 200 watts, you can still push this woofer’s output to a respectable level without the risk of damage. At this level, you can expect deep bass sounds that will fill the room and immerse you in your music, movies, or games. The 12-inch cabinet for this model stands above the smaller 10-inch and 8-inch subwoofers for deep bass production. The Klipsch R-120SW is big enough to make a bold statement and still small enough for placement in most home theater or living room setups.
Bold & Attractive Design
This Klipsch subwoofer sports the signature metal driver beneath a removable grille. Scratch-resistant and fingerprint-free, the spun copper driver shines out from the black MDF cabinet. The box itself is textured vinyl that mimics wood grain. Beneath the surface, there’s injection-molded graphite and a digital amplifier–lightweight, high quality, and high-tech materials that are built to last without breaking the bank. And it won’t break your floor either: the Klipsch R-120SW weighs in at 31 pounds and stands on sturdy rubber feet that also make it easy to slide this powered subwoofer around without scuffing up your floors.
Good Sound Quality and Big Bass Quality
Klipsch products have a well-deserved reputation for using high-end, high-quality material to deliver powerful performance without distortion. The Klipsch R-120SW is no exception to the brand: this front-firing subwoofer sounds exceptionally clear, creating a great listening experience. Classical music lovers will notice the difference, though home theater output will improve, for those who prefer TV and gaming. Without noise or punchiness, the sound quality is deep and true. Like all subwoofers, the R-120SW provides only low-frequency notes. With a low-frequency response of 29 to 120 Hz, it’s not overly impressive among subs but still packs in plenty of deep bass.
Low Pass Crossover + LFE
This powered subwoofer has the typical controls for easy adjustment of a low pass crossover, phase switch, and gain/volume control. Set the low pass knob on this subwoofer to the desired position and adjust the high pass on your other speakers to control the bass output, much as you would with other subs. Likewise, the R-120SW has standard RCA and LFE connections for transferring low-frequency notes with high efficiency to a compatible receiver in your home theater system. These controls allow you to curate the sound to ensure the bass blends with other Klipsch speakers in your system, whatever your setup or room size.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful Ported Subwoofer
- Bold and Attractive Design
Cons:
- A Little Pricey For What You Get
- Frequency Response Just Average
In Conclusion: Klipsch R-120SW
The Klipsch R-120SW is a powered subwoofer with great power, amazing sound quality, a striking design, and controls that ensures seamless AV compatibility. The spun copper driver, digital amplifier, wood-textured MDF cabinet, and more. There’s a lot to like even if the price is a little high for what you’re getting. We like this sub a lot more when it’s on sale for its $500+ retail price.
The Jamo C912 is one of our favorite 12-inch subwoofers. It’s typically much cheaper than this Klipsch subwoofer, but not a huge drop in quality. If you’re looking for a similarly affordable 10-inch option, Sony’s SACS9 is also a great value.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.