Klipsch RP-1600SW 16' Subwoofer Review Discussion

With a 16” woofer, a huge ported enclosure, and a 800-watt amplifier, the Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-1600SW is what we get when one of the most popular speaker manufacturers set out to make a sub to compete in the arena of monster home theater subs. This beast of a sub earned our Extreme Bassaholic room size rating and put out some impressive measurements to back it up. Best of all, it excelled in our music and movie listening tests with very little to complain about other than its ginormous size. If you want deep powerful bass, this may be the subwoofer for you. Backed with a 5 year warranty on the amp, it's built to last too.

Read our Review of the Klipsch RP-1600SW sub:

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[jasongress]

It would be awesome if you could check out the RP-1400SW and see how close it gets. The value, especially when on sale ($699!) is insane and perhaps untouchable.

[rsreaver]

I got to hear 7 different subs (JTR RS1, ML 1600x, SVS PB16, GSG 21, RP-1600, Arendal 1723, Elac) in a blind test at MWAVE this year and came away with the RP-1600 as one of my favorites. It lagged behind some others when it came to raw movie theater output but it was respectable, very clean, and - importantly to me - had a very natural sound for music. For listeners who mix music and home theater this is my top choice.

[VinnyCThatWhoIBe]

I love the dials on these. Actually easy to read when it's already in position!

[HardyLabowitch]

Got mine for $1, 169 each, getting delivered today. Thanks for the review.

[NickkaDUB]

I got this at $1100 because of you guys. Thanks for the heads up!

[Jimsathome]

Thanks for the review Gents. It must be righteous as Gene even critiqued the Audio Advise demo of this Sub and they are one of his sponsors! James is always straight ahead.

[stevenshelp]

It's nice that they now have good subs to go with their speakers.

[nuggyfresh]

This sub is $899 periodically these days which makes it completely unbeatable in its price bracket. You mentioned that the previous Klipsch subs had amp issues, well that happened to me; my SPL-150 needed a whole new amp about 2 years ago. I will say, the Klipsch customer service was top notch! They didn't ask any questions, just immediately shipped me an entire new amp assembly for free. unscrewed the old one, screwed in the new one and it's been fine ever since. So the prospect of having access to that customer support for 5 years! That is a big reason I own this sub. And again, at $899, what are people even waiting for. Cheers and great review!

[steverosales]

My first experience with Klipsch subs was the Promedia 5.1, I was 14 and the impression of those dual 8 inch woofers 😮

[BravelilBoomer]

Great job James! We all appreciate your hard work. I just hope this subwoofer will fit through my door lol

[SimplyStereo]

Great review. The 5 year warranty on the amp is AMAZING. Love to see this kind of confidence and product support. James — you live very close to our store. You should come pick up a Paradigm XR13 or XR11 to review. 😎

[matthewaugsburger]

I have 4 of these subs and two of the monolith 16" thx ultras. I am surprised how well the klipsch RP1600SW perform, especially considering the price l got them for($900 each)
I have no complaints at all and they were a HUGE upgrade over the klipsch r115sw subs they replaced

[JamesWilliams-gfgm]

Very impressive for Klispch and the price. I see them selling a lot of them.

[matthewaugsburger]

How would you compare the monoprice monolith 16 to the klipsch RP1600SW?

[benjamin]

Why can't people just say" it's a great subwoofer. It's always good for what it is. This sub goes lower. Or gets louder? The klipsch is keeping up on those. And klipsch wins the tests in usable frequencies. 20-200 clean very low distortion and equal spl. And half the price. That .makes it exceptional in my book. LEAVE KLIPSCH ALONE. THEY WON THE SUB WAR. 2 RP 1600S OR 1 SVS PB16. SAME PRICE KLI0SCH WINS. AND STILL HALF THE POWER.

[timothystephen]

I hope you guys get a chance to run one or all of the other sizes through the tests. Id really like to see how the 12" measures.

[daakrolb]

We recently got an in ground pool, & I want some excellent bass for the area. I bought one of these. I'm going to build a "shelter" for it, so it will be out of the rain, etc. I'll take it indoors for the off season (in WI.) Do you think it'll do well?

[christisdale]

Have you heard about the new Tone Winner subs?According to Spec Of Tech you tube videos they out classed the Svs-3000.

[wrldnkaos]

Just bought two rp-1200’s for 649 each. Win 🥇

[calvinc]

Hi Gene. Thanks for sharing this video. I live in Raleigh, NC and my wife and I also attended the Audio Advice Live 2023. Just in the hallway and upon us entering into the Klipsch room, we heard the boomy sound coming from the RP-1600 SW’s and automatically knew something was not setup correctly. I own a pair of the RP-1000’s paired with other Klipsch brands in a two story home and our setup sounded way better than what we heard at the event. When speaking with the host, we were told that he was only with Klipsch for two weeks. I was wondering then, why would Klipsch send someone who was not skilled at properly calibrating this setup. This may have generated a sale as it was, but for those who are already accustomed to proper setting these up, this to was a show stopper for me. Lets hope they get it right next year😊