If your stereo or home theater system could use some additional low end support but your budget right now is rather limited, RSL Speakers has something surprisingly affordable which is likely to overachieve for its surprisingly low asking price. Based on our experience with their other subwoofers, we suspect this might be one of the best values in their lineup. Their new 300-watt subwoofer, the RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10E, debuts this week for only $299.
The Speedwoofer 10E is the newest and least expensive member of the award-winning Speedwoofer family, joining the Speedwoofer 10S MKII ($449) and Speedwoofer 12S ($799). The original Speedwoofer 10S ($429) we reviewed a few years ago has been discontinued.
E is for Everyone
According to RSL, the subwoofer is named the Speedwoofer 10E to be “the subwoofer for everyone”.
The company said the 10E is actually a bit more powerful than the 10S original. Sonically, the 10E will have the classic “Speedwoofer Sound”; maintaining tight accurate bass, while still being able to provide an effortlessly low end extension with oomph! The 10S MKII will still dig deeper and hit higher SPLs than the 10E. As well, the 10S MKII has more connection options for the user than the 10E.
The 12S is the 10S MKII on steroids and can dig substantially deeper at even higher SPLs with pinpoint accuracy and effortless delivery.
What’s New?
Although the cabinet dimensions are the same between the 10E and 10S MKII, the internal port and external port areas are different. The 10S MKII has a flared/radiused rear port to reduce chuffing, while the 10E’s rear port does not. Yet, both still feature Compression Guide tuning for improved bass output and transient performance.
The Speedwoofer 10E driver has been re-designed and is now a stamped steel basket as compared to the cast frame on the MKII.
On the back panel, the amp on the 10E no longer has Speaker Level Inputs or any Low-Level Outputs. It does not come with the AR4 Wireless receiver built in but customers can add the wireless kit for an additional $80 when purchased at the same time as the 10E.
There is no longer the painted MDF Speedwoofer Logo panel on the front of the cabinet. Instead it includes a color matched grille that covers the entire front baffle with a metal RSL Logo at the bottom.
Comparison
| Speedwoofer 10E | Speedwoofer 10S MKII | Speedwoofer 12S | |
| MSRP | $299.00 | $449.00 | $799.00 |
| Woofer | 10-inch | 10-inch | 12-inch |
| Lowest Frequency ± 3db | 26 Hz | 22 Hz | 16 Hz |
| Highest Frequency | 200 Hz | 200 Hz | 200 Hz |
| Selectable Crossover | 30-200 hz | 40-200 hz | 30-250 Hz |
| Amp model | XDR-300W | XDR-400W | XDR-500 |
| Amplifier type | Class D | Class D | Class D |
| RMS <1% THD | 300 watts | 400 watts | 500 watts |
| Peak Power | 800 watts | 1020 watts | 1550 watts |
| SNR | >82dB | >85dB | >85dB |
| Phase Control | 0 to 180 continuously variable | 0 to 180 continuously variable | 0 to 180 continuously variable |
| Low Pass Crossover / Slope | 30-200 Hz variable @12dB/Octave | 40-200 Hz variable @ 24dB/Octave | 30-250 Hz variable @ 24dB/Octave |
| High Pass Crossover / Slope | – | – | 30-250 Hz variable @ 24dB/Octave |
| DSP Processor | – | 56-bit, 50 MIPS DSP | 56-bit, 50 MIPS DSP |
| DSP Modes | – | LFE, Music | Reference, Music, Movies, Boundary |
| Crossover Bypass Switch | – | Yes (embedded with low pass control) | Yes (embedded with low pass control) |
| Auto-ON/OFF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removable cloth grille | Yes | Yes | |
| Front LED | – | – | Yes |
| Remote Control | – | – | Yes |
| 3.5mm IR input | – | – | Yes |
| USB Input | – | – | For power only |
| Wireless ready | Requires AT-4/AR-4 Kit | Yes, Requires AT-4 Transmitter | Requires AT-4/AR-4 Kit |
| Wireless Adapter (optional) | RSL AT-4/AR-4 Kit ($100) Transmitter & Receiver | RSL AT-4 ($50) Transmitter only | RSL AT-4/AR-4 Kit ($100) Transmitter & Receiver |
| Wireless range | 50 feet | 50 feet | 50 feet |
| Standby power | 1 watt | 0.5 watt | 1 watt |
| Fuse | 15V (T5.0AL/250V) – 230V (T2.5.0AL/250V) | 115V (T5.0AL/250V) – 230V (T2.5.0AL/250V) | 115V (T6.3AL/250V) – 230V (T3.15AL/250V) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 15 1/2” x 15” x 15 3/4” | 15 1/2” x 15” x 15 3/4” | 22 1/4” x 18 7/8” x 22 1/8” |
| Warranty | 5 years on woofer 2 years on electronics | 5 years on woofer 2 years on electronics | 5 years on woofer 3 years on the electronics |
| Color | Black | Black or White | Black |
| Weight | 40 lbs | 40.6 lbs | 82 lbs |
Price & Availability
The RSL Speedwoofer 10E will be available Friday, March 29, 2024 for $299 at rslspeakers.com.
Tip: Which RSL Speedwoofer is the Right Subwoofer For You?
Related: 7 Affordable Hi-Fi Gift Ideas That Make Music Sound Better
