Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer Review

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Small Footprint Bass Device.

Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer

Peter Kun Frary, Professor of Music • University of Hawaii, Leeward

Why add a subwoofer to your stereo system when you have two or more perfectly good speakers? For more bass range, impact and realism. If you own full range speakers, usually massive floor standing towers, you don't need a subwoofer (although even full range speakers can benefit from a really good subwoofer). However, most home systems use small bookshelf monitors incapable of deep bass reproduction, bottoming out at 60-80Hz. A guitar's lowest string is 80Hz. The bass violin and bass guitar go down to 40Hz. And organ pedals go as low as 20Hz. There's a lot down there most people simply don't get to hear. A subwoofer will help you find those lost notes.

Appearance & Construction

This plain black box is, well, plain and black and appears more like a display platform for artwork than an audio device. It looks decent and doesn't draw attention to itself. Place a vase on top and nobody will be the wiser. Plus, the fit and finish of this unit are excellent for the budget price.

Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer (Korean vase optional)

The ported subwoofer unit contains a 10 inch speaker (rubber surrounds), 55 watts RMS power amplifier and hookups for line level (RCA) and binding posts for speaker wire. A small LED on the front glows red for sleep and green for active. The power supply is integral, so no wall wart.
Controls

The back panel sports the basics: volume, crossover, phase and power. With power switched on, the unit sleeps until it senses a signal.

Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer Control Panel • Use a RCA y-adapter to provide signal to both right and left inputs. Single channel input is extremely weak.

Connections

There are two ways to hookup the KSW-10: line level inputs (from preamp or sub out) and speaker level (run speaker wires from amp to sub to speakers). Line level (RCA cables) is the preferred method for most systems. No cables were supplied.

Sound Quality

I hooked up the sub output from a Harmon Kardon AVR 85 and heard almost nothing, even cranked (left channel is used for mono input). So I plugged cables into both input channels with a Y-adapter and, suddenly, there was bass. Big tip: use a Y-adapter for dual channel input. Of course, if your amp lacks a sub output you'll use the left and right preamp outputs and need not bother with y-adapters.

The 55-watt RMS output (225 peak) and 10 inch driver of the KSW-10 are best suited for smaller rooms and mid-fi systems. It balanced extremely well with my JBL Control 5 monitors with the crossover set at 50-55 Hz, taking over only the lowest tones. In fact, it was nearly "invisible" until you turned it off and missed the lower end support it offered.

I auditioned the KSW-10 using LP and CD tracks of Classic Rock, Classical and Jazz. Seventies tracks such as Steely Dan/Greatest Hits 1972-1978 never sounded so good. The sound was balanced, natural and musical. Unlike car subs, I felt like I was listening to music, rather than subterranean thumps. If you're into boom-boom massive kickdrum look elsewhere. The only other sub I can compare it to is my Sunfire True Subwoofer. And, sheesh, the little KSW-10 fared really well for musical bass. In fact, the KSW-10 is a better match for small monitors as upper bass reproduction is much clearer than the Sunfire. However the Sunfire True Subwoofer kicks ass below 40Hz, e.g., organ pedal tones and explosions are frighteningly real, whereas the KSW-10 whimps out below 30Hz.

I also auditioned a few shoot 'em up scents in the Maxtrix DVD and Terminator 3 and was impressed. The KSW-10 opened up the bottom end and added real thump 'n grind to my Control 5 monitors. Nevertheless, this is not a subwoofer for a serious home theater buff. The same scenes heard with my Sunfire True Subwoofer kicked me in the chest, itched my tailbone, rattled windows and made my wife scream. On the other hand, the KSW-10 coupled with Control 5 monitors sounds massive and realistic compared to a Bose Lifestyle system.

With a subwoofer placement is everything. This diminutive Klipsch sounds best near a hard surface such as a wall. The nearer the wall, the bigger the bass. Of course you need 4 or 5 inches of clearance for the sound port to vent properly. For really kickin' bass, plant this little sucker in a corner. I found corner placement too bloated but rooms and taste vary considerably, so experiment.

RFI Resistance

I live in downtown Honolulu, a high RFI (radio frequency interference) area. Poorly shielded telephones, guitar pickups, audio gear, etc., are plagued with RFI, usually a classic rock station. Well shielded pro-gear, e.g., Mackie mixing boards, are dead silent.

How did the KSW-10 fare? Great! Even cranked wide open there wasn't a hint of RFI or hum of any kind. I can't say the same for my $1200 Sunfire True Subwoofer. It hummed so much I started to sing along.

Warranty

One year warranty.

Final Words

The KSW-10 is a wonderful match for small to medium monitors, excelling at natural bass reinforcement for most music except hip-hop and volcanic eruptions. For shoot 'em up movies it's decent but you won't "feel" earthquakes or explosions in the seat of your pants like a big subwoofer. The only negative comment I have is about the manual. It's the worse piece of doggie doo ever written and is not helpful at all. It's mostly a bunch of legal disclaimers in multiple languages. Nevertheless, KSW-10 is a great buy for the money, usually discounted to $200 or less.

Specs

• Frequency range: 29Hz-120Hz ±3dB

• Power: 55 Watts FTC (225 watts peak)

• Inputs: 2 line level RCAs and 2 speaker terminals

• Low Pass Crossover: variable from 40-120Hz

• Phase: Switchable from 0-180 degrees

• Maximum Acoustic Output: 110 dB at 1 meter

• (1) 10 - inch woofer with rubber surround

• Cabinet: Medium density MDF

• Dimensions: 15.5" H x 13.5 W x 13.5 D

• Weight: 29 LBS

PRICE: $200 street

2/3/2006
©Copyright 2006 by Peter Kun Frary • All Rights Reserved

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.	Small Footprint Bass Device. Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer Peter Kun Frary, Professor of Music • University of Hawaii, Leeward Why add a subwoofer to your stereo system when you have two or more perfectly good speakers? For more bass range, impact and realism. If you own full range speakers, usually massive floor standing towers, you don't need a subwoofer (although even full range speakers can benefit from a really good subwoofer). However, most home systems use small bookshelf monitors incapable of deep bass reproduction, bottoming out at 60-80Hz. A guitar's lowest string is 80Hz. The bass violin and bass guitar go down to 40Hz. And organ pedals go as low as 20Hz. There's a lot down there most people simply don't get to hear. A subwoofer will help you find those lost notes. Appearance & Construction This plain black box is, well, plain and black and appears more like a display platform for artwork than an audio device. It looks decent and doesn't draw attention to itself. Place a vase on top and nobody will be the wiser. Plus, the fit and finish of this unit are excellent for the budget price. Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer (Korean vase optional) The ported subwoofer unit contains a 10 inch speaker (rubber surrounds), 55 watts RMS power amplifier and hookups for line level (RCA) and binding posts for speaker wire. A small LED on the front glows red for sleep and green for active. The power supply is integral, so no wall wart. Controls The back panel sports the basics: volume, crossover, phase and power. With power switched on, the unit sleeps until it senses a signal. Klipsch KSW-10 Subwoofer Control Panel • Use a RCA y-adapter to provide signal to both right and left inputs. Single channel input is extremely weak. Connections There are two ways to hookup the KSW-10: line level inputs (from preamp or sub out) and speaker level (run speaker wires from amp to sub to speakers). Line level (RCA cables) is the preferred method for most systems. No cables were supplied. Sound Quality I hooked up the sub output from a Harmon Kardon AVR 85 and heard almost nothing, even cranked (left channel is used for mono input). So I plugged cables into both input channels with a Y-adapter and, suddenly, there was bass. Big tip: use a Y-adapter for dual channel input. Of course, if your amp lacks a sub output you'll use the left and right preamp outputs and need not bother with y-adapters. The 55-watt RMS output (225 peak) and 10 inch driver of the KSW-10 are best suited for smaller rooms and mid-fi systems. It balanced extremely well with my JBL Control 5 monitors with the crossover set at 50-55 Hz, taking over only the lowest tones. In fact, it was nearly "invisible" until you turned it off and missed the lower end support it offered. I auditioned the KSW-10 using LP and CD tracks of Classic Rock, Classical and Jazz. Seventies tracks such as Steely Dan/Greatest Hits 1972-1978 never sounded so good. The sound was balanced, natural and musical. Unlike car subs, I felt like I was listening to music, rather than subterranean thumps. If you're into boom-boom massive kickdrum look elsewhere. The only other sub I can compare it to is my Sunfire True Subwoofer. And, sheesh, the little KSW-10 fared really well for musical bass. In fact, the KSW-10 is a better match for small monitors as upper bass reproduction is much clearer than the Sunfire. However the Sunfire True Subwoofer kicks ass below 40Hz, e.g., organ pedal tones and explosions are frighteningly real, whereas the KSW-10 whimps out below 30Hz. I also auditioned a few shoot 'em up scents in the Maxtrix DVD and Terminator 3 and was impressed. The KSW-10 opened up the bottom end and added real thump 'n grind to my Control 5 monitors. Nevertheless, this is not a subwoofer for a serious home theater buff. The same scenes heard with my Sunfire True Subwoofer kicked me in the chest, itched my tailbone, rattled windows and made my wife scream. On the other hand, the KSW-10 coupled with Control 5 monitors sounds massive and realistic compared to a Bose Lifestyle system. With a subwoofer placement is everything. This diminutive Klipsch sounds best near a hard surface such as a wall. The nearer the wall, the bigger the bass. Of course you need 4 or 5 inches of clearance for the sound port to vent properly. For really kickin' bass, plant this little sucker in a corner. I found corner placement too bloated but rooms and taste vary considerably, so experiment. RFI Resistance I live in downtown Honolulu, a high RFI (radio frequency interference) area. Poorly shielded telephones, guitar pickups, audio gear, etc., are plagued with RFI, usually a classic rock station. Well shielded pro-gear, e.g., Mackie mixing boards, are dead silent. How did the KSW-10 fare? Great! Even cranked wide open there wasn't a hint of RFI or hum of any kind. I can't say the same for my $1200 Sunfire True Subwoofer. It hummed so much I started to sing along. Warranty One year warranty. Final Words The KSW-10 is a wonderful match for small to medium monitors, excelling at natural bass reinforcement for most music except hip-hop and volcanic eruptions. For shoot 'em up movies it's decent but you won't "feel" earthquakes or explosions in the seat of your pants like a big subwoofer. The only negative comment I have is about the manual. It's the worse piece of doggie doo ever written and is not helpful at all. It's mostly a bunch of legal disclaimers in multiple languages. Nevertheless, KSW-10 is a great buy for the money, usually discounted to $200 or less. Specs • Frequency range: 29Hz-120Hz ±3dB • Power: 55 Watts FTC (225 watts peak) • Inputs: 2 line level RCAs and 2 speaker terminals • Low Pass Crossover: variable from 40-120Hz • Phase: Switchable from 0-180 degrees • Maximum Acoustic Output: 110 dB at 1 meter • (1) 10 - inch woofer with rubber surround • Cabinet: Medium density MDF • Dimensions: 15.5" H x 13.5 W x 13.5 D • Weight: 29 LBS PRICE: $200 street 2/3/2006 ©Copyright 2006 by Peter Kun Frary • All Rights Reserved	.
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