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Klipsch Reference R-121SW Black — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Home Theater SubwoofersKlipsch Reference R-121SW Black

Klipsch Reference R-121SW Black — image 1

Klipsch

Klipsch Reference R-121SW Black

Expert Review Analysis

The Klipsch Reference R-121SW is a 12" front‑firing powered subwoofer featuring a spun‑copper thermoformed crystalline polymer woofer, all‑digital 200 W RMS amplification and a rear‑ported bass‑reflex cabinet. It delivers clean mid‑bass with low distortion and is aimed at budget‑conscious home‑theater setups in small‑to‑medium rooms.

✓ Best for: Budget‑conscious home‑theater enthusiasts in apartments or living rooms up to about 300 sq ft who want clean mid‑bass for movies, music and casual gaming, especially when paired with Klipsch Reference speakers in a 5.1 setup.✗ Not ideal for: Large open spaces, audiophiles demanding ultra‑deep, distortion‑free bass below 30 Hz, or users who need wireless or speaker‑level inputs for flexible placement.

Pros

✓Clean mid-bass performance with low distortion below 10% THD above 45 Hz even at high volumes.
✓Solid reinforced MDF cabinet with effective rear-ported bass‑reflex design and polyfill damping.
✓

Price History

Current

$449.99

Average

$469.23

Lowest

$299.00

Highest

$798.00

Good Deal — 4% below average

Price trend (90d):-12.9%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#175Best#175Worst#175

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.8/ 5Reviews140+98 reviews +0.10

Specifications

Audio

Driver Size12 in mm

Driver MaterialSpun-copper thermoformed crystalline polymer (Cerametallic)

Frequency Response28-120 Hz

Connectivity

Input TypeStereo RCA/LFE preamp inputs

WirelessNo

Controls

LED Power IndicatorYes

Gain ControlYes

Phase ControlYes

Low-pass Filter ControlYes (bypassable)

Design

Enclosure TypeBass-reflex (ported) with rear-firing port

Features

Front-firing DriverYes

Speaker-level InputsNo

General

BrandKlipsch

ModelR-121SW

ColorBlack

Release Date2022-05-16

Warranty5 years

Ports

Port Diameter3 in mm

Port Length14.5 in mm

Power

Power Output (RMS)200 W W

Power Output (Peak)400 W W

Amplifier

Amplifier TypeAll‑digital amplification delivering 200 W RMS continuous power

Port

Rear Port Design3‑inch diameter, 14.5‑inch length, flared only on front

Certification

Energy RatingNot ENERGY STAR certified

Dimensions & Weight

Height16.6 inches

Width16.0 inches

Depth19.7 inches

Weight34.2 pounds

Research Sources

speakerdecision.com

audioholics.com

electronicexpress.com

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User Reviews

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4.8

(139 reviews)

$449.99$649.9931% off

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R-121SWBlack 5 year manufacturer

Home Theater Subwoofers

Good value for deep bass extension in its class for small‑to‑medium rooms.

✓Easy setup via stereo RCA/LFE preamp inputs without need for speaker‑level wiring.

✓Front LED power indicator and adjustable gain, phase, and low‑pass filter controls provide flexible tuning.

Cons

✗Rear port is unflared which can produce audible port noise at high output levels.
✗Bass extension below 40 Hz is limited and distortion rises when pushed to maximum.
✗Heavy weight of about 35 lb makes repositioning the subwoofer difficult.
✗Lack of speaker‑level inputs and wireless connectivity limits integration options.
✗No included speaker wire and not ENERGY STAR certified.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Clean mid‑bass output with distortion staying below 10 % above 45 Hz even at maximum drive (Audioholics).
✓Effective cabinet damping and well‑tuned rear port delivering composed performance for its class (Audioholics).
✓Reinforced MDF construction provides solid build quality and durability (Audioholics).

Criticized by Experts

✗Minor low‑end distortion appears when the subwoofer is driven to its limits (Audioholics).
✗Unflared rear port may cause port chuffing noise at high volumes (Audioholics).
✗Limited very low‑frequency output below 40 Hz compared to higher‑end models (Audioholics).

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Strong mid‑bass punch that enhances movies and music in small‑to‑medium rooms.
✓Reliable performance and easy plug‑and‑play setup via RCA/LFE inputs.
✓Compact footprint fits well in apartments or living rooms.

Users Complain About

✗Weight of 35 lb makes moving the subwoofer cumbersome.
✗Occasional port chuffing noise when volume is turned up high.
✗Bass extension is shallower than premium models, lacking deep sub‑bass below 30 Hz.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers praise the R‑121SW for its composed, low‑distortion mid‑bass and solid MDF build, noting the effective rear‑port tuning and flexible front‑panel controls. They do point out minor low‑end distortion at extreme levels and the potential for port noise due to the unflared rear exit, as well as its limited sub‑30 Hz extension compared with higher‑end siblings.

What Users Say

Everyday users appreciate the strong mid‑bass punch, reliable plug‑and‑play setup and the subwoofer’s value for small‑to‑medium rooms. Common complaints focus on its 35‑lb weight, occasional port chuffing at high volumes, and the fact that it doesn’t reach the deep sub‑bass depths of more expensive models.

Common Complaints

Heavy weight makes repositioning difficult; unflared rear port can produce chuffing noise at high output; bass extension is shallower than premium models, lacking deep sub‑bass below 30 Hz.

What People Are Saying

“Strong mid-bass punch”
Aggregated user feedback

“Reliable for movies/music in small-medium rooms”
Aggregated user feedback

How It Compares

vs. Klipsch R-112SW

Advantages

✓Deeper bass extension (24‑125 Hz) and higher 300 W power better for larger rooms.

Disadvantages

✗Heavier (49 lb) and larger footprint increase cost and placement difficulty.

Choose the R‑112SW if you need deeper bass and more power for bigger spaces; stick with the R‑121SW for a lighter, more affordable option in smaller rooms.

vs. Klipsch R-101SW

Advantages

✓Lighter (31 lb) and smaller size make it easier to place and move.

Disadvantages

✗Shallower bass (30‑160 Hz) and lower 150 W power limit performance in larger rooms.

The R‑101SW is suited for very compact setups where weight and size are critical, while the R‑121SW offers stronger bass for typical home‑theater environments.

vs. SVS SB-1000

Advantages

✓Sealed design provides tighter bass response and higher peak power (300 W RMS/720 W peak) in a compact chassis.

Disadvantages

✗Sealed enclosure delivers less low‑frequency output than the ported R‑121SW, and price may be higher.

Select the SVS SB‑1000 if you prefer tight, accurate bass and higher peak power; opt for the R‑121SW for greater low‑frequency extension and a more budget‑friendly price.