Overview

The Klipsch R-121SW is a 12-inch powered subwoofer from the Klipsch Reference series, built around a front-firing, high-excursion spun-copper woofer and an all-digital amplifier rated at 200 W continuous (400 W peak). It reaches down to 28 Hz with 118 dB maximum output, giving movies and music deep, physical bass. It's the larger of the two Reference subwoofers, suited to bigger living rooms and home theatres, and it's designed to blend with Klipsch speakers.

The 12-inch Thermoformed Crystalline Polymer (TCP) woofer is light and rigid, keeping cone breakup and distortion low as output rises. The all-digital amplifier is efficient and accurate, and a rear-firing port supports the deepest bass. Because the driver faces forward, you have more flexibility in where the sub goes.

Volume, low-pass crossover and 0/180° phase controls let you blend the R-121SW with your main speakers and room, and line-level/LFE RCA jacks connect to a home theatre receiver's subwoofer output. Auto power-on wakes it when a signal arrives, and a front-mounted LED shows when it's on. The reinforced ¾-inch MDF cabinet uses an all-new bracing design to reduce vibration, finished in scratch-resistant black textured wood grain vinyl with a low-profile grille.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

The port fires out the back, so leave a few inches between the R-121SW and the wall. When connecting to an AV receiver, set the sub's own low-pass control to its highest setting and let the receiver's crossover (often 80 Hz) handle the split, then run room correction to set level and distance. Before committing to a spot, try the sub in a few places along the front of the room; bass can change a lot with small moves. At 16.6 x 16 x 19.7 inches, measure the space first.

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Why the Klipsch R-121SW Stands Out

Buyer's Guide

Who It's For

• Larger Rooms: Want more output than a 10" sub.
• Klipsch Reference Systems: Want a sub that matches R-series speakers.
• Movie Fans: Want deep, physical low-frequency effects.

How It Compares

The R-101SW is the smaller Klipsch Reference subwoofer, with a 10" woofer and 150 W continuous (300 W peak) amplifier, rated at 29.5 Hz to 120 Hz with 115 dB maximum output, in a 14.6" x 14" x 19.7" cabinet. The R-121SW steps up to a 12" woofer and 200 W continuous (400 W peak), reaching 28 Hz with 118 dB maximum output, in a 16.6" x 16" x 19.7" cabinet. Choose the R-101SW for average rooms, and the R-121SW for more output in larger spaces.