KLIPSCH R-115SW

The Klipsch R-115SW is one of the few subwoofers I’ve seen from a mainstream speaker company that’s built with the market realities of the Internet era in mind. It used to be, subwoofers were an afterthought for mainstream speaker companies. They could toss practically any old sub onto the market, safe in the knowledge that if someone bought Brand X speaker system, the dealer would probably talk them into adding a Brand X subwoofer.

Now there are fewer dealers, and more audio gear is purchased online. If online purchasers search around a bit, they’ll find subwoofer specialists such as Hsu Research, Power Sound Audio, and SVS whose subs often outperform those of the mainstream speaker companies yet usually cost less. And with the unforgiving CEA-2010 subwoofer output measurement being used by more manufacturers and reviewers, substandard subs have nowhere to hide.

At $899 USD, the R-115SW is priced to compete with the Internet-only companies. Technically, it’s standard stuff: a 15-inch Cerametallic (a proprietary mix of ceramic and aluminum) driver in a slot-ported box, powered by an 800-watt Class D amp. The only thing that’s even slightly unusual is the rear multipin port for Klipsch’s $129 WA-2 wireless connection kit. The sub looks really nice, with a brushed polymer veneer cabinet that mimics the look and feel of anodized aluminum.

It’s worth noting that I found the R-115SW available through several Internet outlets with free shipping. That’s a big deal; shipping on a sub this size can run more than $100.

The R-115SW can definitely compete in price. Let’s find out if it can compete in sound.

P.S. PER QUESTO SUB NON E' PREVISTA LA SPEDIZIONE.