Klipsch R-12SW vs R-120SW - Comparison

In this week video, I compare Klipsch R-12SW and R-120SW against each other. This video will help potential buyers make a decision between them. Also, this video will answer common questions. For a full review on either subwoofer, check out my channel or the links below. Enjoy!
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Link to my Klipsch R-120SW Review • Klipsch R-120SW Subwoo...
Link to my Klipsch R-12SW Review • Klipsch R-12SW Subwoof...
Link to my Polk Audio PSW-108 Review • Polk Audio PSW108 Powe...
Link to my Klipsch R-34C Center Channel Review • Klipsch R-34C Center C...
Link to my Klipsch R-41M vs. R-51M Comparison • Klipsch R-41M vs R-51M...
Link to my Klipsch R-41M Review • Klipsch R-41M Bookshel...
Link to my Klipsch R-51M Review • Klipsch R-51M Bookshel...
Link to my Klipsch R-820F • Is upgrading to Klipsc...
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For business inquiries email me at [e-mail]
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[@scottmijin9463]

One behalf of the viewers, putting aside the performance since they’re identical, if you want a budget subwoofer go for the R-12SW. If you want a newer model and liking the wood grain finish go for the R-120SW. At the end of the day, both perform the same, it all depends aesthetically which you’re more incline towards

[@yordanaleksandrov8443]

I totally agree, the only upgrade you get with the R-120SW is the detachable cable. Whether that's worth the extra money is totally up to you.

[@robertbrown2395]

Thank you Cuzzo 😊

[@iamasmurf1122]

why have you not noticed how the subwoofer is bolted to the front of the box

[@toddtrein1620]

I just purchased 2 R-12SW as well, along with 2 Polk S55, Klipsch R-34-C Center and 2 rear Klipsch R-41SA powered by a Onkyo TX-NR696. Cant wait to get it set up!! Couldn't pass up the Costco deal on the R-12SW!

[@reedmcginn7787]

Was waiting for this one.

[@adhr1t]

great video Jerome. Love your set up. Thanks man!

[@chrisrizzo5976]

Great job. Really appreciate the comparison!

[@sergiodakota4475]

i know Im kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good website to watch newly released movies online?

[@deaconlondon6170]

@Sergio Dakota i would suggest flixzone. Just google for it =)

[@jschleigh9913]

I have the SPL-120 Subwoofer. It's freaking awesome! I also have a pair of the RP-8000F tower speakers in walnut. Equally awesome sound. Powered by a Yamaha R-N803BL receiver and a Yamaha CD-C600 5-Disc changer.

[@wheelstandr]

I have "The Fives" and this sub, but really still want a pair of the RP-800F's in piano black. You have a nice setup there. My biggest problem is that The Fives sound really great, so its going to be hard to put these to the side and justify it with my wife.

[@jeffd9598]

Hey man, I just bought the R-N803! Loving it so far, hope you are also, need speakers now that I have this much clean power, cheers

[@moller11199]

Thanks! Great video, very informative.

[@JeromeJunior]

Thank you

[@eliaabaamert3171]

Nice i have 2 of the Klipsch R-12SW subwoofers, sounds really nice with the Klipsch R-610F Speakers!

[@corypetersen5081]

after watching i just purchased the 12 inch r120sw i cant wait to hear it does it rock the house i love lots of bass

[@TheCamaro5]

I have a r -112sw and it rocks they whole house

[@corypetersen5081]

@@TheCamaro5 right on i just added another one to my living room so i have 2 of them

[@TheCamaro5]

@@corypetersen5081 yeah i hear two is the way to go but i cant see having two R-112SW. i already have it turned down.maybe if my living room was much bigger.

[@Limitgmonster8]

This video was really helpfull👍

[@serenedelusions]

Nice, comparison! I have these two front L/R with a svs pc-2000 behind the couch.

[@brandonr0613]

This is exactly the comparison I was looking for and you confirmed my suspicion. Even if the R-120SW was better, would it be $150 - $250 better (depending on where you purchase)? It doesn't appear to be.

[@bikepimp72]

What's weird is my SW12 has the wood grain but the front by the subwoofer is still black wood grain.. Sounds awesome.. Shakes the whole room easily.. About to grab a second one just for the extra boom while being able to turn gain down on each slightly.. Running it with a Pioneer Elite SC-27 with Martin Logan Clarity;s and Klipsch center and rear surrounds

[@Jswain921]

Great Video

[@gilberttosanchez]

This comparison was very helpful for me because I've been looking for a sub to buy with powered Klipsch speakers. It's for my pc setup but I want loud and high quality listening without a receiver. One more thing is that you sound very similar to Too Short mannn.

[@ModyKhan]

Nice setup. You're right both sound excellent however, I was listening to my AKG-N60 headset, I felt that R-120SW had a little more distortion than R-12SW.

[@vforvictory888]

Good to know. Just ordered a pair of R12SW.

[@bumkrilla5339]

It didn't have more distortion he's using a cheap mic the mic is just distorting

[@stalfosguardian5573]

Thanks for the comparison video! I can definitely think of something else to spend an extra $200 on than just getting a slightly better looking version of the same sub. 🤣👍

[@workmonger]

Thanks Jerome

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

Costco has the R-12SW on sale for $189.99 until November 30, 2020. Thanks for the review.

[@daddykiller5835]

Now its $149.99. I just bought my 2nd one today 😁👌

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

@@daddykiller5835 At Costco?

[@daddykiller5835]

@@MillionDollarFlipper Yes Sir

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

@@daddykiller5835 Their web site still shows $189.99. I just called the local warehouses and the $60 off the $249.99 price is the same in all the Los Angeles area.

[@daddykiller5835]

@@MillionDollarFlipper Well I just picked up a 2nd Subwoofer yesterday for $149.99 But my wife says it varies on your location. I'm in Southern California. I got mine in Lake Elsinore Costco. Also got $70.00 back from buying my Yamaha Reciever as well, because the lowered the price to $329.99!! I paid $399.00 a week ago. Its because of this Covid-19 and black Friday deals happening all month long 👍

[@BenHodgeThemeParkEndeavor]

The Klipsch R-12SW is currently going for $169 at Costco, I couldn't pass it up.

[@GaryTravels]

$150 starting today, I just picked one up today

[@631alexander]

Shit man me too. I got 2 of them.

[@cryptoskillz]

130 on amazon right now

[@markhagopian3257]

Still 150, till 4-4-2021. I got mine...

[@fredericklewis5925]

Same here 👍🏾. I got 2 of them. Thanks Costco!

[@seanlambert2256]

Thanks, this is exactly the comparison I was looking for. Currently it's $40 more for the 120, and since I'm putting it somewhere where it won't be seen much, if the performance is the same, I'm going to get the old one. =]

Ayee BluntedBeatz in the background

[@wheelstandr]

I just bought the R-12SW at Costco for $230 on sale. Considering that a $119.00 (on Amazon) wireless kit comes with it, I only paid $111.00 for the Sub. Cant beat that!

[@tech4life884]

The 120 is in a better spot because it's in the deepest part of the corner and to me it sounded clearer but also thinner on the low end than the 12.

[@bolonissay8953]

Costco had the 12SW for $150 each. I bought 2 just to try it out and it's fantastic for the price.

[@daddykiller5835]

So did I!! Costco keeps dropping the price!! Now they are$149.99!!

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

Which Costco? What area?

[@daddykiller5835]

@@MillionDollarFlipper Lake Elsinore, Ca

[@bearsgarage272]

I just ordered 2 of the r12s, I'm super excited, upgrading from 2 10" polk subs that are only 50w. Hopefully ill be blown away by having 200w

[@evatheboxer7417]

You will be blown away

[@stevenneese2823]

Went from one psw10 to klipsch r12, which was only 180 at Costco. Was a huge difference in my smaller room. I didn't think it would be that noticeable, but ya the r12 was much better

[@bearsgarage272]

Im in another realm when i turn these up loud. One r12 has almost the same output as the two 10" polks i had.

[@scottmijin9463]

Finally!!!!!

[@NoName-db9wo]

Hey I’m new at this , I have the Yamaha Tsr-700 pairs with the 5.1 klipsch reference pack with the Wirless SW, I’m also running the R 51m and the Sony atmos speakers and I just bought the 12sw. My Question is can I stack the SW on top of each other and do Ieave the setting on back of the SW of change then since now I have 2SW..: thanks man and keep posting!

[@aarongiggers66]

Bought the 12. I'm a big home theater lover I've built a decent system over the years. I started out with just some $50 rca speakers. Good review 👍

[@GeloNegron]

Should post a video so we can see your setup. Maybe a before, after, current and future plans. I know it sounds like a YT channel thing, but just a simple quick post to share with your brothers! ❤️

[@jeromecade7123]

I purchased two 12sw at $119 each. I'm pairing them with 2 R820f front towers, Klipsch RP-500C center channel speakers., two R51m satellite speakers, and two r41m mid speakers (which will be serving as atmos.

[@JeromeJunior]

Nice set up.

[@jasonlevesque9303]

Do yourself a favor if you can hang those Atmos speakers on a wall ,and not placed on top of something pointed up to the ceilings. Read the real reviews and watch the testing done on atmos. Pointed up at a ceiling reduces sound quality, I had atmos speakers for a few years then just removed them and hung them on a wall on the Middle center of My room and the whole sound was a lot better and spread out more ,way better crisp clean sound . But I don't use the atmos set up any more I've found especially playing all types of music and movies just the regular 7.2 set up sounds way better. Atmos had to much sound loss for me pointed up at a ceiling. So I ditched it. 🤷‍♂️

[@daltonproter-sheldrick4986]

As an owner of a pair of these myself they do indeed suffer from port chuffing at high volumes but im also listening to music at reference level. Its not super noticeable like some subs but its there

[@mattswindler2527]

im VERY curious in these. i consider myself an audiophile, but they were 150.00 a piece and will be trying them next week.. hope they are decent!

[@bumkrilla5339]

Audiophile would only buy sealed subs they are better for music reproduction portrd subs are louder but not as fast or tight that being said they are among the best of budget subs

[@evatheboxer7417]

Another good budget option is the bic America f12 they vibrate the whole house

[@ryancorbell9520]

Would one of these compare to my RSW-15? After 20ish years I wondering how much has changed.

[@d.l.2401]

I purchased 2 of these from Costco for $149.99 each on 03/24/2021. Here we go. First off this Sub-woofer sounds decent. After listening to this at moderate volume for 5 days I decided to run some test. But first I run a Sub-woofer Sine Wave Break-in on youtube just to be sure it was broke in. After that, I setup my mini dsp UMIK-1 and using the latest version of REW/Room EQ Wizard to begin my measurements. I tried this in multiple locations and got pretty much the same results. I had these hooked up on my Denon AVR-2807 Receivers LFE output, crossover set at 250Hz and the Klipsch R-12SW crossover set all the way up to LFE. These measured -3db at 40Hz where below this, these fall off a cliff and are down 10db at 30Hz. There is a +3db hump from 50 to 70 Hz and the down -3db at 90Hz where the sub-woofer continues to roll off up to 250Hz. I also stuffed the ports with Acousta Stuff damping material, this actually made the performance slightly better at the bottom at the same time eliminating the Port Chuffing. I then decided to pull out the woofer and measure the power output into a 200 watt 4 ohm Dummy Load Resistor. Measured output was 20 volts max which into a 4ohm load is 100 watts. This was MAX!

[@TheJoaoAragao]

ahahaha niceee

[@weldonb5491]

Thnx D.L, that's the review iv been looking for lol, I have the same measurement equipment and JUSt bought this sub -black Friday deal, $110- and you just saved so much time, thnx.

[@colinmcauliffe5205]

thank you.

[@Westlyn80]

I have all black sub, and it's NICE

[@nilles9715]

I prefer the 12sw because the color it’s better for your home design! I buy one for that

[@jamesstubbs8954]

I prefer the all-black the grey front and back look horrible imo and the reason why the grill on the 12SW doesn't have the logo is that the logo displays even with the grill on. As for the hardware difference you can purchase that from Klipsch and swap it out if you really are into the gold-tinted grill clasp and hex-headed screws.

[@ericgarcia1632]

Just picked up two R12 sw for 149 plus tax each from costco. Love them. Amazing sound.

[@funtimeswithtom4108]

I was planning on getting a single SPL-100 because it would match my Klipsch RP series speakers but I saw the same discount at Costco and now I might go with these. $300 for 2 12's is hard to beat.

[@ericgarcia1632]

I also ordered the klipsch reference dolby atmos surround system for only 899. The two towers alone cost more than that. Im Waiting for it to come this friday.

[@Pete.across.the.street]

That was a great deal, I got two at first, then ordered two more because I have a really large room. And it was still less than just 1 svs 12" sub that I saw on sale for black Friday. The bass sounds really smooth now, no matter where I am in the room. Two would have sufficed, but I couldn't pass up that price.

[@daddykiller5835]

Looks like this is becoming a trend😁👍 i did the same thing. I also bought the Yamaha RMS 700 to control the party! They are selling them now for $140,00!!!

[@miker953]

@@ericgarcia1632 do you like it? That price is great!

[@thelog86]

Not sure how people could hear a difference when the sound is coming out of their device and not the actual product. I went for the cost advantage paid 179 for the 12sw because its now discontinued. I have a paradigm 10in sub rumblin with this 12sw. Paired with Eosone fronts. Klipsch surrounds and klipsch heights. I purchased my eosone 20 years ago brand new and only had used them maybe 10x. So they are still brand new. They were designed by Arnie Nudell the dude that designed genasys speakers

[@joeymatthews8233]

Wouldn't that make the bass suffer having the rear port of the subwoofers almost against the wall?

[@mannyfresh916AA]

Yess

[@GeloNegron]

Manual I think recommends 6-12 inches away from the wall, something like that and if you look closely its about that space he has.

[@ronnieblack2482]

Isn't there another cheaper Klipsch 12? HOw does it measure up?

[@pappamolly1457]

Costco is having a sale for the 12sw for $180 which is pretty damn good. The deal ends nov 30th

[@daddykiller5835]

$149.99!! Is the new price 👍

[@yeahhicks3567]

This may sound stupid, but what does it take to hook up 2 powered subs to 1 receiver? Thanks and great video !

[@JeromeJunior]

A receiver that have two dedicated subwoofer out ports

[@Dr-YouTube]

RCA Y cable

[@JMAX79]

I had the 120sw and saw a sale on the 12sw and thought it was the same as I already had so I grabbed it. When it came in and I set it up I noticed it didn’t sound as good. Then I realized it was a different model. I felt like the sound quality of the 120sw was clearly superior, so much so that I returned the 12sw back to Costco.

[@JeromeJunior]

I notice that the 12sw takes a while to break-in. It doesn't sound nearly as good as the 120sw out of the box.

[@timothylittlefield3129]

I purchased both of these 6 months ago and I seriously cannot tell the difference. Are the aesthetics worth the extra money? Too each his own I guess

[@garlandtube3]

The 120 has a digital amp, the 12 is a class D amp

[@kevinarmstrong5999]

@@garlandtube3 Class D IS digital.

[@GeloNegron]

@@garlandtube3 The R-12SW has an Internal DIGITAL Powered Amp. Its everywhere on the specs / bullet points when you’re researching or trying to buy them.

[@jasonlevesque9303]

Pull those away from the wall .way to close the ports on back have to breath and need at least 8 to 12 inches between that speaker port and wall . I have the R12-sw also. I've also seen these compared to the more expensive twice the price SVS subs and believe it or not the Klipsch is a bit cleaner and sounds better. 👍

[@adashtban1521]

Would you recommend buying a SVS SB2000 (500watt-1100watt) or Klipsh SPL 120 (300watt-600watt) for almost similar price?

[@JeromeJunior]

You couldn’t go wrong with either one honestly.

[@stan_leejones9661]

I got 4 of them and oh my dam the movie experience is on another level

[@redscorpion9325]

Your whole House must be vibrating 🤣

[@fredharris1090]

I did the same already had 2 floor firing. So I added these 2 and now its 4 12s. Kick ass!!!

[@stonecold5373]

paid $250 for the newer 100 SW and now the 12SW is going to be on sale for only $150 on amazon when added to cart. That's insanely cheap for a good sub

[@lilpoindexter]

I was gonna get the r12 at costco, but then bestbuy had the r120 for the same $249. I bought it to fill out the bottom of my new RP600m's. i played and fiddled with the damn sub, but it just sounded like a one tone watery fart in my listening room...i was pretty disapointed...I left the sub with the back facing my listening room, and In disgust i flicked the phase switch to 180 degrees out (thinking i had turned it off). HOLY SHIT. By turning my R120 backward, and flicking the phase switch to 180 degrees out, the bass got tight, taught, firm and low...Awesome for the price.

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

Costco has the R-12SW on sale for $189.99 until November 30, 2020 so you may want to see if BestBuy will price match.

[@daddykiller5835]

@@MillionDollarFlipper the sub woofer is $149.99 right now!!

[@TheCamaro5]

You should listen to a r-112sw. Big difference. I think the new style is the spl line but same specs

[@JeromeJunior]

The SPL line is the high-end klipsch subwoofers. I seen them ran mostly with the Reference Premiere speakers.

[@TheCamaro5]

@@JeromeJunior Yeah they weren't available a couple years ago when i bought the R-112sw but i see the specs and price are the same, box is even the same other than the finish. the R-112sw is a 600 watt sub that was 600-700 dollar price.

[@technoir2584]

Be sure to buy these from the Klipsch store directly. Otherwise you will be screwed on the warranty.

[@jamesstubbs8954]

Not true, you can also buy them from an authorized dealer and still get the warranty coverage.

[@stevekeita9152]

Hello. I am looking for a service manual for the Klipsch SW 112 subwoofer. Best Regards SK

[@daddykiller5835]

Costco's new price for the subwoofer R - 12SW is $149.99!!! I just bought my 2nd one today.

[@tech4life884]

The R120 has the advantage immediately by being further in the corner of the room.

[@TuyenTran-zi1kr]

How to check genuine product? Help me, thanks. I have a sub klipsch 120SW

[@anthomyfirth6383]

can anyone tell me , ive been told that my amplifier . yamaha rxv673 , needs a active subwoofer , i use klipsch r 625fa speakers , would either of these subs be active , i can not get my head around all the different types of subwoofers

[@ashish0831]

Speakers are meant to sound good That is what they are made for That is what one pays for If they sound the same It's not worth extra money Simple ..

[@sashasaini2717]

What's the name of the song?

[@acts9531]

Audio comparisons over a KZbin video are basically useless because it depends on what the audio is being played *_on_* out here at my end, the quality of the KZbin stream, etc. I.E. -- I'm on a gigabit internet connection with this video at the highest setting (1080p) and playing this video on a Yamaha AVR with an R-12SW. So any difference would be lost because the sound is being reproduced on that sub. There may also be small differences between your receiver and mine. Listening from this end, my R-12 is not miraculously going to emit a different output when you switch to the R-120. I'm more interested in what your own actual hearing tells you than any sort of audio demo. I have my system in a multi-purpose room in a detached building from the house. The room is 23' x 15' and serves as my office, work shop, home theater and man cave. There is a LOT of stuff on the walls and all that stuff basically acts the same as acoustic tiles would. The walls are OSB (Oriented Strand Board) so they're a lot more rigid than sheet-rock, they're covered in short pile indoor-outdoor carpet with maximum fiberglass batting insulation in the space between the wall and the outdoor facing sheathing, which is also OSB. This all serves to reduce echo and reverberations and gives me a very flat, true sound reproduction. Unfortunately there are very limited options for speaker placement but this seems to be working quite well in spite of that. Even with all the sound deadening, insulation etc. my neighbors have told me they can hear my bass at night when it's quiet. (They're not complaining, they're nice folks and say it doesn't bother them.) They live 300 yards away across open lawn(s). That's with the sub dialed back to -4.5 db from 0 on the AVR, the volume dial set to 50% on the back of the sub and the crossover on the sub set to "LFE" which is all the way up on the dial. I'm very, very happy with my R-12. It sounds great and produces a deep base that you can feel in your chest during movies. My equipment isn't true "audiophile" grade gear but it's the best I can afford for what I use it for. I have friends and neighbors over for "movie night" about once a month and I've gotten only compliments with no complaints or off-color remarks. I have a real, theater grade popcorn machine and most people say something to the effect of "The is is better than going to the theater." Because we can have adult beverages and when it's just the guys we smoke cigars (I have a pretty robust air purifying system with two HEPA filters). Those are things we can't do in the average theater and in the ones where you can at least get a beer it's still much cheaper in my "theater".

[@liltrayhomie2k]

What song was that?

[@eccorosario4620]

The R120 is sounding better, more contundent and deep

[@lalo3045]

imagine 2 of these on a home teather

[@LukasBlau]

is it suitable for a 16 squaremeters room?

[@daddykiller5835]

Yes, you have nothing to worry about.

[@AndinKansas]

R12SW $169 @ Walmart !!!!! New not refurbished. Klipsch is having a Christmas in July sale ends July 18th and Best Buy is price making. Why buy the new version for $500 and the old version has the same specs and you could buy TWO of them for under $400???

[@Gencehgodang]

Hello bro...it is normal back panel sub klipsch r-12sw warm when playing movie or music....

[@JeromeJunior]

Mine remains cool to the touch. But yea warm isn't bad

[@tech4life884]

Both are made of MDF. The wood grain on the 120 is vinyl.

[@stevevinas]

Can I run one of these 12s along side a 15?

[@JeromeJunior]

I don't see why not. It might not sound balance though. If you try it out, let me know how it goes 🤔

[@stevevinas]

@@JeromeJunior just heard some people do this but ya it didn't make sense to me like you said. Maybe I'll try it out

[@vittorio281]

Perché nella prova si sente il suono non deve uscire solo il basso ?????

[@georgioantoine4194]

Canada always gets porked on high end products. I bought this 12” for almost $500! But we have awesome mountain country. 😁

[@MillionDollarFlipper]

Can you order from Costco online and have it shipped?

[@georgioantoine4194]

@@MillionDollarFlipper lol I bought it on Amazon Canada and it shipped from the states. Boo Amazon!

[@rextreb]

Here in México, s12sw is almost $400 usd

[@georgioantoine4194]

@@rextreb I’ll never buy crappy Klipsch again. Just like german vehicle crap german woofer. Had 2 months. Blown already. Warranty taking until the year 2089 for new woofer to be shipped. SVS is where the quality is. Wish I had known earlier.

[@ronnieblack2482]

The Klipsch website has the write up a bit different the SPL 120 is 600 watts peak, cerametalic instead of spun driver, different amp, different ports etc

[@JeromeJunior]

SPL 120 is a different subwoofer model. This video is not about that one.

[@frankeezee]

They both are...the same damn sub

[@MegaLPlover]

"In this week video" This man forgot how to male words possessive.

[@djmitchell3464]

120 hits harder. More lows from the sounds

[@Hoschio1976]

Can you please explain right of the bat...

[@briansepolen4917]

Who buys a sub for looks? I came here looking for performance and perception. One is in the corner, one is not. Nice try though.

[@kanegray4287]

I think the 120 is overall better quality. My guess is the actual amp and woofer on the R12 sw aren't as good

[@jhodges7041]

I would rather have 12s. When the lights go out I don’t need to see my subs. You were reaching a lil too much for a sub that has the same exact specs. No need to upgrade its all cosmetic and not really worth it.

[@avnitsingh7214]

Both sound literally the same

[@draggerlane04090]

So basically nothing has changed performance wise just looks. I'd still choose the older model same performance for less

[@mylessmith272]

SAme

[@AlwaysUpgradingRCTurko]

Please. It's pronounced K L I P S H. The sch is pronounced as Shhh.

[@mikeymike4329]

Pronunciation 😖

[@stevenjack23331]

Klipsch has become junk ever since Audiovox bought out Klipsch in 2011. SVS is superior to KlipschVox.

[@soneji-ml5fp]

no not really

[@talosian]

These SVS shills are everywhere.