Good afternoon, all. As cool weather leads to fall, and then winter, that leads to more time spent indoors, and that reminds me that I’d like to upgrade the A/V goods a little.

For a year or so now, I’ve been staring at Yamaha’s NS-SW050 sub, thinking it would be a fine addition to the Yamaha receiver in use now. This sub can be had for about $200, and its price hasn’t changed at all since I looked at it last winter.

Surfing the web a little today, I had a look at Crutchfield’s web site and found the Klipsch Reference R-120SW at $269 (listed as $330 off list). Based solely on price change, that seems like a heck of a deal. Is it?

For purposes of the discussion, I’m not necessarily looking for theater-quality or audiophile-quality sound, nor do I have a “yuge” budget, but I do want more good, clear bass than I have currently. A lot of the time, there’s music on while doing other tasks around the house, and winter brings us more movie-watching. The existing setup includes two old-school JBL speakers (I’ve had them for 20+ years) on stands on the floor, and two Bose speakers mounted high (301’s, I believe, from about 15 years ago).

So, for the obvious things: The Yamaha is an 8”, 100-watt unit, with a stated output of 50 W (100 Hz, 5 ohms, 10% THD). The Klipsch unit is a 12”, rated 200 watts, and I don’t see a distortion number.

The more words I type into this box, the more it seems that the Klipsch is the way better sub. Am I correct in that thinking, and is it worth spending 35% more for it?


Klipsch

Yamaha

I think there are common go-to brands for SW - SVS, REL being a couple of them. I'm sure there are good offerings by all the reputable speaker makers.

Personally, I would probably look for SVS, REL or Paradigm. Used / CL first. That being said, I bought a Klipsch 12" at Costco. It's okay; on sale. I would have preferred one of the other brands but couldn't find one used when I need it. I'm a little averse to paying full retail for speakers.

YMMV, but I'd probably seek 12" over a 10" SW.

Costco: https://www.costco.com/klipsch...duct.4000207198.html

You can also check out The Music Room for used items: https://tmraudio.com/

I've had a Klipsch powered sub for years and I've been very happy with it. I've been drooling hard for an REL Classic 99 for ages but can never bring myself to go for it when my Klipsch is still bringing the thunder. Dammit.

I added the 10" Klipsch version for my office audio setup. I had a leftover JL Audio Fathom 110 that I was using but was massive overkill and was able to sell it and buy the Klipsch and have four figures leftover still.

SVS is great stuff but will be more money for sure. Can't go wrong with most budget options these days and specs alone are insufficient for comparison; you really need to try in your room and do some basic setup stuff and see how it works for you (so choose a seller with risk-free returns/exchanges)

I would look at the brands that konata88 mentioned. They are proven winners in this category. Start with SVS. Never been a huge Klipsch fan but they are a popular brand but not the best sonic choice.

Thank you for the links, konata.
I don’t have a Costco membership… is the price there comparable?

If you just want to supplement what you already have at the very bottom end, I kept what I already had and added one of these as an LFE and set the crossover down near the bottom.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001...t_b_fed_asin_title_1

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Thank you for the links, konata.
I don’t have a Costco membership… is the price there comparable?

It looks like the same model as the Crutchfield but included wireless connectivity (which I wouldn't use). Looks like it has higher output as well (not sure that makes a pragmatic difference). Price is $249 (shipping included)?

Klipsch R-120SWi Wireless Subwoofer
The Klipsch R-120SWi wireless subwoofer is designed to deliver awe-inspiring bass for your movies and music. A 230 Watt all-digital amplifier powering a front-firing spun-copper IMG woofer produces a clean, deep bass response for your home audio system.
Integrated wireless connectivity via a pre-paired transmitter (included)
12" Front-Firing Spun-Copper IMG Woofer
All-Digital Amplifier
Volume, Low Pass Crossover, and Phase Control
Line Level/LFE RCA Inputs for Maximum Receiver Compatibility
Dimensions: 16.5" x 14" x 19.2"

Thanks, konata. That’s not a bad price at all.

Here’s another thing: I see on the back panel of either of the Klipsch units, two RCA-style jacks (left/right). The back of this receiver just has one, marked “Pre out subwoofer.” I’m not sure what to make of that.

If you were closer, I'd think about selling you my gently used SVS. I don't use it with my system now as it's set up only for music currently and my receiver doesn't accept a sub.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Thanks, konata. That’s not a bad price at all.

Here’s another thing: I see on the back panel of either of the Klipsch units, two RCA-style jacks. The back of this receiver just has one, marked “Pre out subwoofer.” I’m not sure what to make of that.

It allows multiple configs, including multiple (two) subwoofers (ie - left and right). LFE mode allows the receiver to determine crossover freq. Otherwise, you can set the x-over freq using the control on the SW. Or something like that.

Bottom line - it's common inputs for SWs; you'll be fine. 90% sure....

I used to have a Paradigm 10" sub, and it was great for movies, but got rid of it when I moved, couldn't use it along with the rest of my home theater system. I now have a JBL soundbar with a wireless SW and the sub is OK, I'm not a real fan of rumbling exaggerated bass. My audiophile system for stereo music has no SW, I prefer tight and defined upper bass clarity than merely the low end and have never matched a SW with my Celestion SL700 speakers.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
If you were closer, I'd think about selling you my gently used SVS. I don't use it with my system now as it's set up only for music currently and my receiver doesn't accept a sub.

Ummmm, am I close enough?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Ummmm, am I close enough?

You’re gonna have a longer road trip than me, mister!

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
It allows multiple configs, including multiple (two) subwoofers (ie - left and right). LFE mode allows the receiver to determine crossover freq. Otherwise, you can set the x-over freq using the control on the SW. Or something like that.

Bottom line - it's common inputs for SWs; you'll be fine. 90% sure....

TWO subs! Holy smokes, that would be awesome!

SVS is the only thing I will buy anymore.
https://www.svsound.com

Hard hitting but tight base. I bought my first one on the recommendation of an audiophile friend probably 25 years ago and couldn’t be happier.

Built a new house 10 years ago and it’s in a basement with wide open spaces and an atrium open to upstairs so my previous one wasn’t quite up to par. I bought this monster and the base is back.

They have something for most price ranges and you can get powered, unpowered or even cylindrical like my first one. This is a 12” and it weighs 130lbs so it’s built like a tank and you won’t get any loose or rattling sounds that can bleed into the next scene of a movie.

I appreciate the SVS recommendations, y’all, but those things start at twice my budget. (Darnit.)

- - -

A hundred and thirty pounds?!?! What a monster!

Buying used, if possible, takes the bite out - comparable price but better acoustic value. There is some risk w/ used though. But maybe more important if it's going to be used critically with music or just HT. May not matter much for just HT.

BTW, if your main speakers are getting long in the tooth and you're planning to upgrade, it may be better to just apply all funds to a better mains that also has a good deep end than to buy the SW. Of course, if you just sell one of your esteemed chronographs, you could probably upgrade and buy everything all at once. And have change leftover.

With your budget, this is something worth looking at:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_...e-DualX8.html?tp=187



It's an 8" sub with an 8" passive woofer that will hit 17hz at the lowest and still gives you space to move around.

At that price point, RSL Speedwoofer every day.

Long time audiophile here. Sorry, but Klipsch subs are Chinese junk.

quote:

Originally posted by Milliron:
Sorry, but Klipsch subs are Chinese junk.

Interesting. That’s the first time I’ve heard a statement like that. It’s been a long time since I studied things like this (obviously), but I thought Klipsch was among the really good stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
If you were closer, I'd think about selling you my gently used SVS.

Whatcha got, sir? And are you up north or down south now?

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
BTW, if your main speakers are getting long in the tooth and you're planning to upgrade, it may be better to just apply all funds to a better mains that also has a good deep end than to buy the SW. Of course, if you just sell one of your esteemed chronographs, you could probably upgrade and buy everything all at once. And have change leftover.

These are old, to be sure. They’re “good enough” for a bit longer, I suppose. Gosh, if I get into replacing those, I get into some serious mission creep. I do have a particular Seiko that’s waiting for P250UA5 to quit buying cars… But that might buy half of one good repacement speaker….

- - - - -

Heck, I might as well drift my own thread. (Yeah… mission creep.). S’pose I did look into replacing these floor speakers. I’d naturally gravitate toward something similar, but I know I need to ask: is there an advantage to that big cabinet these days? (“No substitute for cubic inches.”) Are the newfangled “bookshelf speakers” these days just as capable as my old JBLs?