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Klipsch Reference R-12SW

Powered subwoofer

Item # 714R12SW

It's impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of your music and the action in your favorite movies when...

It's impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of your music and the action in your favorite movies when...

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6 questions - 10 answers

Item # 714R12SW

Since 1974

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About the Klipsch Reference R-12SW

Dave Bar

Deep bass for any system

It's impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of your music and the action in your favorite movies when Klipsch's R-12SW Reference is kicking out the bass. It delivers powerful, extended bass response thanks to the beefy 200-watt amplifier that effortlessly drives the 12" woofer. With the R-12SW in your system, you'll hear and feel your movies, music, and video games come roaring to life in your living room.

Deep bass for any system

Klipsch R-12SW powered subwoofer

It's impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of your music and the action in your favorite movies when Klipsch's R-12SW Reference is kicking out the bass. It delivers powerful, extended bass response thanks to the beefy 200-watt amplifier that effortlessly drives the 12" woofer. With the R-12SW in your system, you'll hear and feel your movies, music, and video games come roaring to life in your living room.

Easy system integration

Line-level and LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) inputs let you easily connect the R-12SW to almost any home theater or stereo receiver. Its back-panel volume, crossover, and phase controls help you fine-tune the bass to your liking, and blend its sound into your system. The sub comes housed in a durable MDF cabinet and finished with a brushed black polymer veneer. A front-mounted LED power indicator makes it easy to tell when the sub is powered up and ready to rock.

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Product highlights:

  • bass-reflex (ported) enclosure
  • 200-watt RMS (400-watts peak) amplifier
  • 12" high-excursion IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) front-firing woofer
  • frequency response 29-120 Hz (±3dB)
  • MDF enclosure with brushed black polymer veneer finish
  • variable crossover control
  • phase switch to acoustically match the subwoofer's output to your main speakers
  • auto on/off
  • line level/LFE (low frequency effects) input
  • 14"W x 16-1/2"H x 19-1/4"D
  • weight: 33 lbs.
  • warranty: 5 years woofer, 2 years amplifier
  • MFR # 1068530

What's in the box:

  • Powered sub
  • Grille (installed)
  • User Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Sheet

Customer reviews for Klipsch Reference R-12SW

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5.0 out of 5 stars
112 reviews

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More details on the Klipsch Reference R-12SW

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Enclosure Bass Reflex
Woofer Size (inches) 12
Woofer Composition Copper IMG
Firing Direction Front
Amplifier Output (watts) 200
Frequency Response 29-120 Hz
Connections
Preamp-Level Inputs Yes
Speaker-Level Inputs No
Speaker-Level Outputs No
Wireless No
Controls
Low-Pass Crossover Freq 40-120Hz
High-Pass Crossover Freq N/A
Phase Switch Yes
App Control ---
Remote ---
Other Info
Height (inches) 16-5/8
Width (inches) 14
Depth (inches) 19-15/16
Weight 33 lbs
Speaker Parts Warranty 5 Years
Speaker Labor Warranty 5 Years
Amplifier Parts Warranty 2 Years
Amplifier Labor Warranty 2 Years

Product Research

Features

12" Woofer: The Klipsch Reference series R-12SW powered sub is fitted with a powerful 12" copper-spun IMG (injected molded graphite) front-firing woofer for deep bass. The copper-spun IMG woofer is exceptionally light while being extremely rigid, providing remarkable low frequency response with minimal cone breakup and distortion. The front-firing woofer gives you greater placement flexibility than a down-firing woofer.

200 Watt Amp: The Klipsch R-12SW powered sub employs an all-digital 200 watt RMS (400 watt Peak) amplifier for high efficiency and dynamic bass performance.

MDF Cabinet: The R-12SW is housed in a durable MDF cabinet and finished with a brushed black polymer veneer. The MDF enclosure is rigid and protects against unwanted vibration and distortion.

Rear Firing Port: The R-12SW's enclosure uses a bass reflex design with a rear-firing port for greater efficiency and bigger bass.

Controls: The level control, low pass crossover, and phase control allow you to blend the powered subwoofer's low-frequency tones with your system's other speakers, as well as establish the ideal level of bass.

  • Level Control: The level control adjusts the subwoofer's volume relative to the rest of your home audio system. After the sub's level control has been set, the volume control of your AV receiver will be the volume control for both the Klipsch powered subwoofer and your connected loudspeakers.
  • Low Pass Crossover: The variable lowpass crossover is adjustable from 40-120Hz. The crossover point chosen determines where low bass frequencies are "handed-off" from your AV system's loudspeakers to the Klipsch powered subwoofer. Set the crossover point based on the size of your systems' main left/right speakers.
  • Phase Control: This control is used to acoustically match the subwoofer's output to your main speakers. Select the position either 0˚ or 180˚ in which your subwoofer has more output at the listening position.

LFE/RCA Inputs: The Klipsch R-12SW powered subwoofer is equipped with a pair of line-level RCA-type inputs to connect the sub to your receiver or integrated amplifier.

  • LFE Input: Most of today's AV receivers have a line-level subwoofer output (LFE). If your receiver has an LFE output, connect one end of a subwoofer cable (sold separately) to this output and connect the other end of the cable into the powered subwoofer's line-level input labeled "LEFT/LFE". Set the powered sub's built-in crossover to "LFE" with this type of connection.
  • Stereo Input: In absence of a subwoofer (LFE) output on your receiver, as an alternative hookup, you can connect Left & Right channel pre-amp outputs from the receiver to both the "Left/LFE" and "Right" inputs on the powered subwoofer.

LED Indicator: The front-mounted LED power indicator lets you know when the sub is powered on or off. The LED will light green when the powered subwoofer is on and receiving a signal. If the LED is dark and not lit, the powered sub is off.

Auto Power On/Off: The powered subwoofer will automatically turn On when it senses an audio signal. It will automatically go into "Standby mode" after 15-20 minutes with no audio signal. You can also choose to turn the powered sub On or Off manually from the rear-switch on the back.

Placement: Klipsch powered subwoofers are designed to reproduce deep bass and deliver the impact that makes your movies and music come alive. For optimum performance, place your subwoofer in a corner of the room on the same wall as your front channel speakers. Please note that room placement can have a dramatic effect on the performance of your powered subwoofer. Corner placement, as suggested above, will increase the amount of bass output, while placing the subwoofer along the middle of a wall, or out in the room will decrease the amount of bass output.

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Customer Q&A

6 questions already asked

Q
How long is the Power cord?
vinicius  Sep 24, 2018
2 answers
A
I believe it's about 5 feet
josh  Sep 28, 2018
A
Less than 6 feet
bhargavi  Sep 28, 2018
Q
The Klipsch R12SW is from the Klipsch Reference line of Products. I was curious to find out how much is the difference in quality of sound when compared to the Klipsch Reference Premium series sub it's very equivalent counterpart like the Klipsch R112SW ?
augustya  May 19, 2018
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. For information on comparing two or more models I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences and help you make the best choice for your system and your budget.
kristina  May 25, 2018 (Staff)
Q
My mid-1990's Harman/Kardon AVR 25ii has "Subwoofer Out" ports....one white left and one red right. Obviously this is a 20-22 year old AVR receiver and does NOT have anything LFE related. How would I connect the the Klipsch R-12SW?
armando  Apr 23, 2018
2 answers
A
Not sure, my Marantz receiver has the ONE jack connection. But I have to say, this is a BOOMING sub. I have it all the way down. On 1/3 power, my whole house was rumbling. VERY low end. Good
chris  Apr 23, 2018
A
No problem. This sub has a standard RCA L/R input. Any low pass or full range preamp output will work. Just use a standard stereo RCA cable with male plugs on both ends.
kevin  Apr 23, 2018
Q
My receiver does not have the sub-woofer input, can I use the regular audio black and red cable to connect them (L&R)?
christina  Oct 01, 2016
2 answers
A
Yes.
john  Feb 19, 2020
A
In the absence of a subwoofer (LFE) output on your receiver, you can connect Left & Right channel pre-amp outputs from your receiver to both the "Left/LFE" and "Right" inputs on the powered subwoofer via a stereo RCA cable. If you would like to discuss further, feel free to contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. I hope that helps!
david  Oct 05, 2016 (Staff)
Q
I already have a Klipsch r12 Is there any way to connect it wirelessly to my receiver?
lloyd  Sep 30, 2016
1 answer
A
There is a way with a few different components that can work together. I recommend calling an advisor on 1-800-324-9695 to see what we have available now to make this work wirelessly with your receiver. HTH! My Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=101
jason  Oct 03, 2016 (Staff)
Q
does the green light stay on all the time ,also is the switch on/auto/off or on-auto/off on the Klipsch reference r-12sw ?
michael  Feb 09, 2016
2 answers
A
On/auto/off there is no green light
hung  Feb 10, 2016
A
Green light is on when sub is on the ON position. If you set to auto ,light comes on when sound comes into sub. Switch has 3 stages on/auto/off. Hope that helps.
javier  Feb 09, 2016
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