Klipsch Vs Polk Subwoofer: Which Is Better For You?

Although a high-quality, powerful speaker system is a necessary component of a quality sound system, the addition of a subwoofer is often necessary for a complete listening experience. Klipsch and Polk offer two different alternatives for this aspect of a sound system, and Hooke Audio will review them to find out which one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Klipsch Vs Polk Subwoofer: Which Is better?

A Quick History – Klipsch vs Polk

Klipsch: History Klipsch was founded in 1946 as an American loudspeaker manufacturer.

Klipsch has been a global brand since then. They are known for making high-quality sound systems such as loudspeakers and public address systems.

Klipsch speakers are known for their horns. Klipsch produces horn-loaded speakers to promote high efficiency and low distortion.

Polk History: Polk is the brand name for Polk Audio. This American loudspeaker manufacturer was founded in 1972. It is best known for its home and car speakers and other audio devices like amplifiers and FM tuners.

As you can see, both companies are well-known and respected in the audio industry.

What Is More Respected?

Both Polk and Klipsch are very respected brands. Polks are generally considered to be budget speakers. Klipsch is the preferred choice for high-quality sound.

Polk has a high-end product, but it isn’t as popular as Klipsch. It’s historic for many reasons.

However, there are other reasons, such as that Polks are generally less efficient than Klipsch speakers.

Klipsch Vs Polk Subwoofer – Key Differences

Main Features

Both subwoofers come with removable cloth grills. Both companies make subs cabinets from high-quality MDF with vinyl and/or wood finishes. Both brands offer subwoofers with a broad frequency response (29Hz to 120Hz, for instance).

The majority of Klipsch subwoofers include an all-digital amplifier. This amplifier is well-known for its high accuracy and highly efficient amplification. Even compact subs can feel the room thanks to the powerful and detailed bass. Klipsch’s Internal Flare technology is a unique internal geometry that eliminates any port noise and provides undistorted low frequencies.

Klipsch models often have an Auto Power on the feature. These controls allow you to adjust the volume, low pass crossover (40Hz-120Hz), and phase (0deg/180deg).

A speaker enclosure can be made from metal, wood, or plastic. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF), is the ideal material for speakers to avoid resonance. Bookshelf speakers and floor-standing speakers are made from MDF, but Klipsch soundbars are made of wood. On-walls use ABS thermoplastic polymer and have wooden enclosures.

Polk subs feature an on-point driver geometry that provides bass with more depth. Innovative compression circuitry reduces distortion and makes low frequencies sound more prominent. They use downward-firing ports to produce deeper bass. Models include a Klippel optimized woofer to provide precise bass reproduction and better linearity.

Polk’s Power Port technology is patented and allows for a more profound bass response. This technology also means that subwoofers with this feature produce 3 dB less noise than subwoofers without it—nearly all subs made by this brand feature Class-D amplifiers achieve high efficiency.

Polk Audio subwoofers come with a power port, which works well in increasing the efficiency of the woofer and contributing to a more robust bass.

Subs under this brand are equipped with the following regulators: volume controller, low-pass filter (90Hz-120Hz), 3-way power switch, On, Auto and Standby, and phase switching (0deg/180deg).

Polk Audio seems to give its subs more features, while Klipsch models tend to be more straightforward. The Klipsch R-100SW, for example, has a digital amplifier, volume, low pass crossover, and phase control. Polk Audio PSW505 comes with additional features. It features a Dynamic Bala technology volume control, low-pass filter, power switch, and phase toggle switch. Power Port technology, Class D amplifier, and Klippel optimized driver are also included.

These subs, all 10-inch in size, come from the same price range. However, the Polk Audio PSW505 is the winner because it offers more features for the money.

Sensitivity

Klipsch subwoofers have an almost universally higher sensitivity rating than Polk Audio, which means they are more efficient. If we look at two subs of the same brand, the Klipsch R-12SW with a level of sensitivity of 116 dB and the Polk Audio PSW505 with a level sensitivity rating of only 85 dB, you can see the differences.

Besides, Klipsch speakers also have a wider frequency range than Polk Speakers.

If sub-sensitivity is essential to you, you might also consider the Klipsch R-12SW. Click here for more information about this product.

Output power

Klipsch subwoofers with 10-inch dimensions, such as the Klipsch R100SW, have 300W total output power. Polk Audio subs with a 10-inch speaker, such as the Polk Audio HTS 10 or Polk Audio R-100SW, typically have 200W full output power.

In this way, the Klipsch R-100SW will require less power to run a significant amount of energy.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

This part compares Polk audio vs Klipsch. It should be noted that the two are very similar. This is where Polk Audio has a slight advantage. The Polk Audio PSW108’s 89dB signal-to-noise ratio is slightly better than the Klipsch R-10SW’s 80dB.

This means that the Polk Audio PSW108 produces a much louder audio signal than the subwoofer noise.

Woofer Composition

Due to its golden-colored woofer, experienced bass fans will instantly recognize a Klipsch subwoofer. Most models have a front-firing, spun-copper-injection-molded woofer and a cast graphite diffuser. More expensive models include a cerametallic or woofer.

These woofers are incredibly lightweight but still very rigid. This results in accurate and deep bass and a tremendous low-frequency response. According to the manufacturer, this woofer can be placed wherever you want without compromising the sound quality. Klipsch woofers have a unique design that allows for distortion-free sound reproduction. Most woofers come with a rubber surround which provides reliable protection.

Polk Audio subwoofers are equipped with a frontfiring Dynamic Balofer made from cellulose and polymer. This sub can deliver sound with very low distortion. The turbulence smoothing diffuser is also included on Polk woofers. This diffuser sends airflow from the sub to the auditioning speakers area, eliminating distortion. A high-roll foam surrounds the driver, providing a more fantastic excursion and better sounding.

The Polk woofers provide a more balanced, more pure bass. However, the Klipsch 100SW with its spun-copper IMGwoofer and the Polk Audio PSW10’s cellulose/polymer speaker woofer can be compared to determine which model is better.

Connectivity

Both brands offer line-level inputs, allowing compatibility with most receiver models. Klipsch’s larger models, designed for larger spaces, include a 2.4GHz wireless Hi-Fi transmitter. This must be connected to your subwoofer or receiver’s LFE output.

Except for those that come in a single kit with a soundbar, Polk subs don’t usually come with wireless connectivity. They typically have more ports. The Klipsch Reference 100SW only has a pair of line-level inputs, while the Polk Audio PSW10 has a pair, two speaker-level outputs, and two line-level inputs.

The Polk Audio PSW10 is a good choice if you are looking for a model with many connectors.

Read our full review: Polk Audio Psw10 Powered Subwoofer Review: Best Choice For You

Price

When comparing the price of a Polk subwoofer to Klipsch, it is essential to note that Klipsch has a better reputation and offers subwoofers at a higher cost than Polk Audio. The difference between the two is approximately $100 and $200.

If you’re looking for a 10-inch subwoofer at a reasonable price, the Polk Audio PSW108 is a better choice than the Klipsch R100SW.

Conclusion

Klipsch and Polk both make relatively affordable quality subwoofers. However, each brand’s unique characteristics make each a better choice for different consumers. Hope that you can find it useful in this article if there is the right choice for you.

Last update on 2023-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API