Klipsch SUB 100 Subwoofer Review
Our verdict
The Klipsch SUB 100 is a compact 10-inch, 80-watt subwoofer in an ebony finish, priced at $299.99 and aimed at smaller home audio setups rather than large home theater rooms. With 118 reviews at 4.3 stars, it shows moderate buyer satisfaction, and the low amplifier wattage makes it best suited to supplementing bookshelf speakers in smaller spaces.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Living rooms and bedrooms with bookshelf speaker systems where the goal is adding warmth and weight to music or light movie watching, not maximum home theater impact.
Skip if
You want a subwoofer for a dedicated home theater room or expect cinematic low-frequency impact, since 80 watts on a 10-inch driver is modest for that purpose.
- Power 80 W
- Speaker type Subwoofer
- Driver size 10"
- Connectivity Usb
- Mounting Floor Standing
- Color Ebony
- Priced 12% below the category median ($339.87 across 73 tracked models)
- Power of 80 W - lower than 90% of the 74 models we track
Pros
- Compact cubic cabinet fits easily in small rooms and beside TV consoles
- Ebony finish is polished and matches other Klipsch Reference products
- 28-pound weight is manageable for a self-contained subwoofer
- Klipsch build quality and brand support
Cons
- 80W amplifier is one of the lower power ratings in this price range
- 10-inch driver at 80W is unlikely to pressurize rooms larger than 200 square feet
- 118 reviews at 4.3 stars is average for a $300 Klipsch product
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.3/5
4.3 average across 118 owner ratings
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Popularity2.7/5
118 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other AV receivers and amplifiers, soundbars, home theater speakers, subwoofers, surround sound systems and Blu-ray players we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Klipsch SUB 100 occupies the entry level of Klipsch's current home subwoofer catalog. At 80 watts and a 10-inch driver, it is the least powerful sub the brand currently offers for home use. The ebony cabinet measures 13.75 by 13.19 by 13.38 inches, making it genuinely compact and suitable for placement in a living room corner or beside a TV stand.
At 28 pounds it is manageable to move and position. USB connectivity is listed, which is unusual for a subwoofer and likely refers to a USB service port for firmware or EQ setup rather than an audio input. Practical audio connection would be through a sub-out line from an AV receiver or integrated amplifier.
For $299.99, buyers are paying for the Klipsch name and build quality in a small package. The 4.3-star average across 118 reviews indicates a mix of strongly positive and somewhat neutral experiences. At this price, alternatives like the Edifier T5 or Dayton Audio options offer more amplifier power, though Klipsch's cabinet construction and long-term reliability tend to be strong selling points.
Specifications
| Power | 80 W |
|---|---|
| Speaker type | Subwoofer |
| Driver size | 10" |
| Connectivity | Usb |
| Mounting | Floor Standing |
| Color | Ebony |
| Dimensions | 13.75 X 13.19 X 13.38 In |
| Weight | 28.0 lb |
Performance notes
80 watts into a 10-inch driver suits music augmentation and light movie use in small rooms. The compact 13.75-by-13-inch cabinet likely uses a sealed enclosure design, which emphasizes accuracy over maximum extension. USB port may allow EQ configuration. Floor-standing placement with a wall boundary will reinforce bass output somewhat.
What buyers say
With 118 reviews at 4.3 stars, the SUB 100 earns a passable but not exceptional reception for a Klipsch product at $300. Buyers who find it limiting in output may be expecting more than 80 watts can realistically provide. Those matching it to a small speaker system tend to be more satisfied.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the USB port on the Klipsch SUB 100 used for?
The USB port on subwoofers in this class is typically a service or configuration port rather than an audio input. It may allow firmware updates or EQ adjustments via a PC app. For audio signal, you connect using the standard subwoofer RCA or speaker-level inputs from your receiver or preamplifier.
Is 80 watts enough for home theater movies?
For a small room under 150 to 200 square feet with moderate listening levels, 80 watts on a 10-inch driver provides audible bass reinforcement. For action movies with demanding low-frequency effects tracks, you will notice limitations in both volume and extension compared to 300W or larger subs.
Does the SUB 100 work with Klipsch's Reference bookshelf speakers?
Yes, and it is a natural pairing. The SUB 100 shares the ebony aesthetic of the Reference series. Connect the subwoofer output from your AV receiver or stereo amp to the SUB 100's RCA input, then set your receiver's crossover to hand bass duties at 80Hz or higher to the sub.