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expired Posted by iconian | Staff • Apr 23, 2021
expired Posted by iconian | Staff • Apr 23, 2021

Klipsch R-12SW 12" Reference Powered Subwoofer

+ Free Shipping

$149

$199

25% off
Adorama
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Update: This popular deal is still available

Adorama has Klipsch R-12SW 12" Reference Powered Subwoofer on sale for $149. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is slightly lower than the last time this subwoofer was a Frontpage Deal in March.
    • Our research indicates that this Klipsch R-12SW 12" Reference Powered Subwoofer is $43 lower (22% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting at $192 at the time of this posting.
  • About this product:
    • Comes with Klipsch 5 Year Limited Warranty On Subwoofer and 2 Year Limited Warranty On Electronics.
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by iconian | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available

Adorama has Klipsch R-12SW 12" Reference Powered Subwoofer on sale for $149. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor iconian for finding this deal.

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is slightly lower than the last time this subwoofer was a Frontpage Deal in March.
    • Our research indicates that this Klipsch R-12SW 12" Reference Powered Subwoofer is $43 lower (22% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting at $192 at the time of this posting.
  • About this product:
    • Comes with Klipsch 5 Year Limited Warranty On Subwoofer and 2 Year Limited Warranty On Electronics.
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by iconian | Staff

Community Voting

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+70
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Top Comments

supermanrob
11400 Posts
1352 Reputation
I get people want just a simple answer, but there isn't one.

There are many factors to consider but the biggest one that always gets left out is your expectations and preference.

If your expectations are to rattle your neighbors windows then yes one or two of these can easily do that at a very inexpensive price, as you can see.

These are rated down to 29hz and that PB 1000 Pro is rated down to 17hz.

If your expectations are authoritative bass extension.
Two of these will not give/get you any closer to that 17hz.

I get people always just point to that low extension difference but it's not just that.
It also gives you significantly better accuracy and detail to that lower extension.

Now how big that difference is and what it's "worth" to someone is a completely other topic and only the listener would determine.
PowerfulSweater9869
236 Posts
20 Reputation
I just got one of these from Costco on the last deal. Great subwoofer, blows away the 12" Polk audio one I had.
dalyew
320 Posts
50 Reputation
I have two of these in my modest 1800 Sq feet single family home in a subdivision. My neighbors which are about 50 feet apart divided by a wood fence, says their windows rattle when I'm really driving these subwoofers with hip hop or Reggae. This even after I calibrated & reposition the woofers diagonally across from each other to get optimum bass within my listening area.

I'm more an audio enthusiast than an audiophile, but I have used these within my Klipsch based home theater & audio system for about a decade now & love them, especially at the price. I hope to move to SVS's one day, but for me these cheap Klipsch subwoofers make it a hard sell for such extra money.

Have had family and friends, who tend to have home theater in a box or decent soundbars, hear my moderate level Klipsch speakers powered by a lower level Yamaha AVR and think that I spent thousands of dollars. They all love the cinema like sound in my typical arranged living room.I think in total I paid less than $1500 on my 2 towers, 2 subwoofers, a center & 4 surrounds and I'm very pleased with it. I think $1500 on a good day would get you SVS subs only.

163 Comments

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Apr 25, 2021
48 Posts
Joined Jan 2016
Apr 25, 2021
sauravsam
Apr 25, 2021
48 Posts
Hows their return policy for these? Would they charge return shipping if I don't like these?
Apr 25, 2021
255 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Apr 25, 2021
ViperRT10Matt
Apr 25, 2021
255 Posts
Quote from Protostar :
Does Iconian work for Adorama?
SD gets a strong affiliate payout from them.
1
Apr 25, 2021
56 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 25, 2021
czytm
Apr 25, 2021
56 Posts
How big of a room would this be adequate for?
Apr 25, 2021
244 Posts
Joined Oct 2009
Apr 25, 2021
what595654
Apr 25, 2021
244 Posts
Quote from KanwalpreetK :
I have both the Polk psw505 and the Klipsch. They are both about the same, this is Klipsch's entry level subwoofer. At this price point, you can't beat the bang for your buck.

For people new to subwoofers, subwoofers under $500 are usually more "mid bass" modules, not true subwoofers. For music, they are fine and for movies they are acceptable, but they will not extend down to low frequencies with authority as a better subwoofer. If you are serious about audio, look at Svs, HSU, rhythmik, etc.
What is the physical difference between this and a $500 sub that make them sound better?
Apr 25, 2021
501 Posts
Joined Jul 2005
Apr 25, 2021
gamma-13
Apr 25, 2021
501 Posts
Quote from sauravsam :
Hows their return policy for these? Would they charge return shipping if I don't like these?
https://www.adorama.com/help/returnpolicy

Looks like self return
Apr 25, 2021
144 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
Apr 25, 2021
LootPirate
Apr 25, 2021
144 Posts
Quote from what595654 :
What is the physical difference between this and a $500 sub that make them sound better?
Lots of physical reasons. Maximum excursion, fs, cone material, cabinet bracing, crossover construction, dsp in some scenarios, phase switching to name a few. This is a good sub at this price. But it doesn't produce sub bass like a more expensive subwoofer would produce. Not everyone needs or wants a 500 dollar or more sub. But for those who do, there are better options as well.
Apr 25, 2021
1,507 Posts
Joined Jan 2015
Apr 25, 2021
SacMcNasty
Apr 25, 2021
1,507 Posts
Quote from KMFers :
I prefer punch and vibration over boom and rattle. Also, I rarely listen to music loud enough that a discussion can not be had. I don't believe the difference of 12Hz would make a difference to me.

My main current sub that I'm considering replacing is Yamaha Yst-315, the volume seems to drastically diminish occasionally. I'm guessing I got it about 18 years ago. Will likely "need" to replace my 12 year old Harmon Kardon AVR fairly soon as well.

I don't want to think that I am that picky regarding lower frequencies, but some subs I've heard just sound awful. Sometimes it's location, speaker pairing, or room treatments. I like my Yamaha, it's had a good run. Just on the fence if these Klipsch would serve as worthy replacement. Despite never hearing them, I'm confident that the SVS would be a worthy upgrade.
A huge yet often overlooked variable is your room. Sometimes rooms can just cancel out bass and actually hinder the output.

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Apr 25, 2021
56 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Apr 25, 2021
czytm
Apr 25, 2021
56 Posts
Also, can anyone recommend a forum (or reddit sub) where I could get recommendations on a 5/7.1 system for a certain room size and budget? Don't have time to do research anymore...

Edit: see avsform mentioned on other deals here so I'll start with there
Last edited by czytm April 25, 2021 at 01:20 PM.
Apr 25, 2021
2,318 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
Apr 25, 2021
JakeW3302
Apr 25, 2021
2,318 Posts
Quote from KanwalpreetK :
I have both the Polk psw505 and the Klipsch. They are both about the same, this is Klipsch's entry level subwoofer. At this price point, you can't beat the bang for your buck.

For people new to subwoofers, subwoofers under $500 are usually more "mid bass" modules, not true subwoofers. For music, they are fine and for movies they are acceptable, but they will not extend down to low frequencies with authority as a better subwoofer. If you are serious about audio, look at Svs, HSU, rhythmik, etc.
What, you mean something that is cheaper performs worse than a higher end version for more money? What planet are you on?
\s
Apr 25, 2021
48 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Apr 25, 2021
Psyward
Apr 25, 2021
48 Posts
Quote from KanwalpreetK :
If you are serious about audio, look at Svs, HSU, rhythmik, etc.
and REL
1
Pro
Apr 25, 2021
11,400 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
Apr 25, 2021
supermanrob
Pro
Apr 25, 2021
11,400 Posts
Quote from KMFers :
I prefer punch and vibration over boom and rattle. Also, I rarely listen to music loud enough that a discussion can not be had. I don't believe the difference of 12Hz would make a difference to me.

My main current sub that I'm considering replacing is Yamaha Yst-315, the volume seems to drastically diminish occasionally. I'm guessing I got it about 18 years ago. Will likely "need" to replace my 12 year old Harmon Kardon AVR fairly soon as well.

I don't want to think that I am that picky regarding lower frequencies, but some subs I've heard just sound awful. Sometimes it's location, speaker pairing, or room treatments. I like my Yamaha, it's had a good run. Just on the fence if these Klipsch would serve as worthy replacement. Despite never hearing them, I'm confident that the SVS would be a worthy upgrade.
Yes music vs HT comparisons is completely apples and oranges.

If this is mainly for music the low extension advantage is pretty much irrelevant. There is not much music that even goes down to 29hz often and the sound levels you listen to makes it less relevant.

Yes placement plays a major role on getting the optimal performance. Far to often aesthetics tends to supersede that.

My guess, this would be a decent upgrade for the price over the Yamaha.
Even better if you have a Costco nearby and not in a hurry. Get it from there on their next sale and give it shot, much easier buy and return if it doesn't work.
1
2
Apr 25, 2021
361 Posts
Joined Mar 2014
Apr 25, 2021
BeansTown106
Apr 25, 2021
361 Posts
Curious if it's worth it to pay the extra 50 for Costco warranty. These subs have any common issues or generally reliable as long as you don't beat the hell out of them?
Apr 25, 2021
662 Posts
Joined Jan 2017
Apr 25, 2021
KMFers
Apr 25, 2021
662 Posts
Quote from czytm :
Also, can anyone recommend a forum (or reddit sub) where I could get recommendations on a 5/7.1 system for a certain room size and budget? Don't have time to do research anymore...

Edit: see avsform mentioned on other deals here so I'll start with there
You could likely ask in nearly any of these audio threads. A lot of people might down vote though.

Feel free to share your room size, budget. What you plan to use it for etc. What you have now, what you've heard that you like, etc.
Pro
Apr 25, 2021
11,400 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
Apr 25, 2021
supermanrob
Pro
Apr 25, 2021
11,400 Posts
Quote from ViperRT10Matt :
SD gets a strong affiliate payout from them.
Oh you mean where it says under EVERY POST !

"If you purchase something through a post on our site, Slickdeals may get a small share of the sale."

Wow shocker!!!! EEK!

Now back to the "real" topic of this being a "good deal" or not.
3

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Apr 25, 2021
241 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
Apr 25, 2021
hibiki
Apr 25, 2021
241 Posts
Would this go well with the Costco 5.0.2 set?

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