vacumancsm Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Subwoofer question. Which would you rather have? A Klipsch Reference RW-10D and $150---or a Klipsch Icon XW-500D. My system has a Denon AVR3803, 3 Klipsch RVX-42s, and 4 Klipsch RSX-5s. Entire cost with cable under $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Vacumancsm, Welcome to the forum. I say the RW-10d and $150.00. The RW-10d is the recommended sub to go with the RVX-42 speaker system. As a matter of fact, I just so happen to have the entire system in my bedroom. Plenty of sub for that application. Now the XW-500D is probably an overall better sub, but in your case just buy the least expensive one and use your extra $$$ to enhance somewhere else. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacumancsm Posted May 23, 2010 Author Share Posted May 23, 2010 Looks like you have the experience and equipment to provide and informed opinion. Actually, I already have the RW-10D and I'm pretty satisfied with it. I have a hard time calling a system complete when I put one together. I bought the 10D for $150 and I have a chance to sell it to a customer for $250 and pick up an XW-500D for $400. I also have have a hard time passing up a good deal. I haven't been able to find too many reviews on the XW, just new buyers gushing about their first sub. Is the cerematalic cone driver in the 10D better than the fiberglass cone driver in XW? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Even though I have not heard the XW-500D, I think $400.00 is a steal for that sub. Take a look at this comparison chart. Product Comparison RSW-10d XW-500d RW-10d Type Subwoofer Subwoofer Subwoofer Msrp $1,299 Each $999 Each $549 Each Frequency Response 24-120Hz +/-3dB 21-120Hz +/-3dB 28-120Hz +/-3dB Amplifier Power FTC Rated Power: 500 watts continuous @ <2% THD / Dynamic Power*: 1200 watts FTC rated power: 500 watts continuous @ <2% THD / Dynamic power*: 1200 watts FTC Rated Power: 260 watts continuous @ <2% THD / Dynamic Power*: 575 watts Maximum Acoustic Output 114dB @ 30Hz 1/8 space, 1m 110dB @ 30Hz 1/8 space, 1m 112dB @ 30Hz 1/8 space, 1m Drive Components Ultra-high-excursion 10" (25.4cm) Cerametallic™ cone, rear-firing woofer Ultra-high-excursion 10" (25.4cm) Cerametallic™ cone, front-firing passive radiator Ultra-high-excursion 10" (25.4cm) fiberglass cone, front-firing woofer 10" (25.4cm) Cerametallic™ cone, front-firing woofer Amplifier BASH® digital hybrid BASH® digital hybrid BASH® digital hybrid Enclosure Type Bass-reflex via front-firing passive radiator Sealed Bass-reflex via front-firing CornerPort™ Inputs L/R Line-level RCA jacks L/R Line-level RCA jacks L/R Line-level RCA jacks, L/R High-level speaker binding posts Outputs None None None Height 13.75" (34.9cm) 14" (35.6cm) 17.8" (45.2cm) Width 12.75" (32.4cm) 13.25" (33.7cm) 12.5" (31.8cm) Depth 17.5" (44.5cm) 17.5" (44.5cm) 19" (48.3cm) Weight 45lbs. (20.4kg) 48lbs (21.8kg) 39lbs (17.7kg) Features DCS control and feature set w/ 3 system presets DCS control and feature set w/ 3 system presets DCS control and feature set w/ 3 system presets Finishes Cherry or Black Ash woodgrain vinyl Black vinyl w/ high-gloss black accents Black Ash woodgrain or Silver matte vinyl Voltage 110/120 VAC 60Hz 110/120 VAC 60Hz 110/120 VAC 60Hz Export Voltage 220 VAC 50/60Hz 220 VAC 50/60Hz 220 VAC 50/60Hz Built From 2006 2008 2006 If you can get the XW-500D for $400.00 and can afford it, then get it. I included in the comparison the RSW-10d because it is similar in specs to the XW-500D and it was definitely an upgrade from my RW-10d. I doubt the cerematalic driver is any better than the fiberglass driver. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacumancsm Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 I just bought the XW-500D open box with full warranty for $375 OTD. For those who haven't found Vann's Clearance Outlet, I suggest you check it out. Will do the Pepsi challenge and post the results soon. I may end up moving the RW-10D to my garage system to replace the Klipsch SW8. I can use extra power to neutralize the cRAP the neighbors play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacumancsm Posted May 29, 2010 Author Share Posted May 29, 2010 After comparing the XW-500D to the RW-10D back to back I can truthfully say the XW is better in every way. Deeper, tighter, stronger base you can feel in your chest and back and in a smaller package. The spec sheets tell the same as a sound test. Build quality is very high with the exception of the cheesey grill which I immediately tossed. Nothing wrong with the RW. I'll probably keep it, but it just got demoted to the garage system. One thing still puzzles me. Why does Klipsch design their better subs with remote capability, and not offer a remote control? A good idea half complete. I don't like programmable universal remotes, and I'm not about to buy one just to run a sub that should have came with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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