Impressive Output, Relatively Tight Sound

Poor Transient Response,

Home Theater can be QUITE impressive. Output can reach pretty high levels when it needs to. Also I cannot fault the quality of this unit in any way. First-rate work and components, I've found.

This is a ported sub, though. There is essentially zero output below 30hz, and driving it in this range only results in port noise. Transient response is pretty poor, I've found. It almost feels (sometimes) like bass hits are not quite in beat with the rest of the music.

For HT it gets 5 stars in both performance & for music I would give it a 3, but this is compared against subs costing almost twice as much. If your main speakers are fullrange towers, I'd leave the KSW-12 off for music.

Similar Products Used:

Various subs in the $150-800 range

Excellent Bass Response, Relatively Small Footprint, No Hum

Low on Gain

I posted two previous reviews here where I was very harsh on this subwoofer.

The reason was that the gain was quite low compared to what I was used to with the Infinity.

Many reviews here said this sub "rocked" at a level of 4 but I couldn't get any "feel of bass" at all at a level of 6. Because of that I was very down on the KSW-12.

Because I had this hangup over gain, I had not until now realized the potential of this subwoofer.

In fact, I had just this week ordered a new sub with more power to replace this one but when it arrived yesterday with some factory defects, I decided to return the new sub and give the Klipsch KSW-12 another chance.

So I turned the gain up higher than I had ever done before for movies: to a level of 9 out of 11.

Watching the movie "Daylight" blew me away. The bass was as deep and loud as I would ever want.

Then I went the chapter 11 on the DTS version of Jurassic Park. Despite many complaints I have read about the weak bass on that DVD, I found it quite full and pulsating.

So putting aside the weak gain on this sub, I am able to get the amount of bass I want at a level of 9 for movies and a level of 7 for music.

So this is a good sub after all if one is willing to accept that most of the gain occurs after the 1 o'clock position.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity BU-2

Musicality, strong, tight, detailed bass. Doubles as a nightstand.

May register on University seismographs

I love the firm, tight, detailed bass this subwoofer puts out. It complements, not overpowers my other speakers. It blends perfectly with my Paradigm Atoms (set at 5 of 11, in a medium sized room). This sub has the performance necesary to take plaster off walls (when you want to show it off) but also the ability to be subtle and add a spacious bass touch to musical pieces as well, even at low volumes. Perfect in every way, at the price. A great value.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm SB-8 (bleh), various computer subwoofers (blehx2)

Not Many

Much less bass impact than expected on movies, not good for music

I wanted to upgrade from the Infinity BU-2 thinking that there was more and deeper bass to be had.

At the time I purchased the Klipsch KSW-12, it had a unanimous rating at audio review of 5. In fact, that is what prompted me to buy it in the first place.

When it arrived, I first tried the Sub with the exact same settings on my Reciever, DVD Player, and Sub that I had used for the Infinity.

Lo and behold, I felt hardly anything! Where was the bass? I found that I had to crank up my receivers' and DVD Players' Sub Out to Maximum and then turn the KSW-12's level to 8 (2 o'clock) to achieve anything like what I had experienced with the Infinity.

After that I tried living with the Klipsch for about half a year and not really being satisfied. The last straw was when my DVD of Fight Club arrived and I did not experience the heart-thumping bass the reviews of this DVD stated I would.

So I decided to take the Infinity BU-2 out of my closet and hook it up. What A Difference!! I was able to lower the volume on the DVD player from +6 to 0 DB and keep the level on the Infinity at 12 o'clock and the bass on Fight Club was so phenomenal throughout that I could hardly believe that I had doubts about the Infinity at one time.

So despite everyone else's rave reviews of the Klipsch KSW-12, I cannot share in their enthusiasm.

Now the Klipsch is in my closet and eventually I will try and sell it to someone who has a smaller listening room and who could live with its weaknesses.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity BU-2

Tight Bass

None

I have had the KSW-12 for 3 months. Use it with B&W 603's (front), B&W CC6 (Center), and B&W 602's for rear. B&W are a very tight focused set of speakers. The KSW-12 works fantastic with them, tight bass for music and DVD.

Bought mine at Vanns.com The price is better if you register on their website. I ordered mine in January 1999 for $324.00

Like any piece of fine audio, for the best results ajust your speakers for the best sound. I have an Denon AVR 3300 and set all the speakers to small (sending bass to the sub).

For the money, nothing comes close.

Very good sound in music & H.T.

None

I start with a new home theater:

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-21
Main speaker: Klipsh RF-3
CD Pioneer
video VHS, no DVD.

I connected by the Preout Subwoofer Amp to the sub in LFE. it's work but not enough bass(no shaking). I have a living room dimention 12' * 15' open to dinning room. Because i don't have a digital source, not enough signal go to the sub. If you have a analog source you must be set like this.
Connect the out main speaker of your Amp to the in banana connection and the out banana speaker of your sub to the main speaker and you are in buisness. Now the flour is shaking. What a great sound!! But you need a soundtrack with a good recording.

Incredible sound in music. It's the best speaker 12Inches i heard for the price. If you have a big room it's better to go with a KSW15.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm PS1200, Klipsh KSW10

Solid!... you know it's there w/o knowing it's "over there!"

None

I have been using this Sub constantly for over 6 months now. Basically when ever my Receiver is on, the Sub is on. Music, DVD, HiFi Video, whatever the source, whatever the format and I have been very satisfied with be added depth this unit brings to my system.
One side note... I would have to say that, in my experience, this Sub, as well as other down firing Subs, do not demo well at most A/V retailers because the room placement, setup and configuration are critical. Next to the Velodyne units for example, it was easy for the Sales person to demo it's chest pounding performance, where the KSW12 was far less "obvious" with it's presence. It was just that aspect of the down firing Subs (along with the many positive reviews here) that ultimately made the KSW12 my first choice. I have witnessed too many system configurations where the Owner has said to me, "Ah, there goes my Sub, hear it, feels it?" Well of course, it was all anyone could hear. The KSW12 can provide a subtle punch all the way to a seismic rumble all depending on what you want and how you set it up. You will not be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

None

Affordable, good "bang-for-the-buck"

A bit of overhang

I picked this model up locally after nearly fainting, discovering the dollar amount of freight to get one from on of the more famous on-line vendors. To my delight, I received a "10% off" coupon the very next day, which the store "retro-honored"....great final price of $335.00!

I find it odd that few of the other reveiwers mention the infamous "440 watt output" claim from Klipsch...the actual RMS output is rated at 105 watts. While Klipsch did list continuous power output, this figure (as well as the whopping 880 watts from the KSW-15) is very misleading for the under-informed.

The remote-on circuit works well; it's a totally noiseless turn on. The phase switch (0 - 180 degree) offers minimal change for my particular room; it is most likely extremely sensitive to room dimension and placement.

I was able to wrangle the Klipsch under control fairly quickly and easily from the bass-management menu on my receiver (Pioneer VSX-D608). It does seem to be slighly sensitive to location; but it only took minutes to find a decent compromise between output and "one-note boom".

Honestly, it does a better job on home theatre tasks than stereo listening; it tends to have the tiniest bit of "overhang" on music that gives it a slightly "boom-boom car sound", but some people might find this appealing. The effect certainly rears it's ugly head on jazz recordings, as well as quieter classical passages (albeit nowhere near the point of distraction), but rock and techno "throb" happily along.

Overall output from DVD's (and VHS) is pleasurable and voluminous; this little sub LOVES James Bond flicks! As to whether downward or forward firing subs are better, I think it's totally subjective...I tend to prefer the tactile sensation of a downward firing sub such as this Klipsch, but larger, forward-firing subs DO tend to sound a bit more "realistic" in their presentation.

If it weren't for the Klipsch's tendency to "overstay its welcome" on certain musical passages, I rate it a 5. As it is, it's still an excellent value for a small home theatre setup, used in a fairly small environment. Don't expect absolute perfection, and you'll love it.

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n/a

Lots of effortless bass but not obtrusive, very tight, never lagging behind the music,

It's almost too much for a mid-size to small room, very sensitive to placement

This sub great for music and movies. Here is a list of the components it is working with:

Sony STR-DB930
Sony DVP-C660
2 Paradigm Titans
and all Monster Cable including the Toslink and Interlink 201 Sub cable

I have this setup in a dorm room that is about 125 sq. ft. It took alot of tweaking to keep it from being really boomy, but once I got it right it sounds great. It is really placement sensitive. This sub puts out ALOT of bass without being obtrusive. And unlike alot of subs I've heard, this one doesn't need to be played loud to "get going". I only have mine set on 5 out of 12 and the crossover set at about 120 HZ. For the price (I paid $349), I don't think it can be beat. Klipsch did well on this one.

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first sub, but I have listened to and auditioned others

good sound down to 26hz, value for the price, good finish

so far so good.

finally decided on Paradigm PDR 12 or PS1200 AND klipsch KSW12. went for Klipsch as it is a down firing sub.

Advantages:
1. Tight bass. never shows its presence especially in a Music setup unlike infinity and polk.
2. Goes little low (26hz per spec)than energy & mirage AND very low than infinity, polk & jbl.
3. Quality products used in the sub unlike AR and Yamaha.
4. Stylish finish especially the power indicator being in the front. this feature is very unique to klipsch so far.
5. Also, Legs on which it stands is of good quality unlike Velodyne lower end models, yamaha, energy and AR.
6. Great price for all the above features unlike paradigm and velodyne.

Disadvantages:
1. would have been better if Phase alignment is a knob insted of a toggle switch. (not a big problem).
Remote would have been good like jbl & yamaha.
2. Vol should be cranked up a little bit for HT (im having at 5). for music it is just at 3. Too much for apartment style of living. So, Remote would have been good like jbl & yamaha.

All in all, a superb sub with features for the money.

My Economical HT configuration:
AR Edge satellites (Front and Rear)
AR C225PS Centre
Klipsch KSW12 sub WITH JVC Receiver.

Similar Products Used:

tried/auditioned/analyzed Infinity, Polk, jbl, paradigm, mirage, energy, velodyne, yamaha and AR.