This page lists all 9 Dayton Audio speakers ranked on this site across portable bluetooth speakers, powered speakers, passive speakers and subwoofers. Each model is shown in the category where it competes, with its current rank and the size of that ranking.
Use the category position rather than the brand name alone: speakers from the same manufacturer can perform very differently by size, price and product family.
Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Ranked #30 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Dayton Audio Boost Mini: $19.98 Amazon
Pros: Quite light for the performance
Cons: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off. Same hardware as the Boat Stone 190/193 and Monster Bluetooth Speaker
Full Dayton Audio Boost Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.8" (99.8 x 99.8 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | Specs not clearly published |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
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Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Ranked #118 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Dayton Audio Boost: $29.98 Amazon
Pros: Compact soda-can design, dual passive radiators, IPX5 waterproof, wireless stereo pairing capability, MicroSD card support
Cons: Some midrange peaks, treble slightly rolled off. Not much bass. Same hardware as the Boat Stone 350/352/358
Full Dayton Audio Boost review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 3.5" x 4.3" (88.9 x 88.9 x 109.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.5" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 426 g |
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Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers
Ranked #16 of 34 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers - Dayton Audio OPAL1: $1,038.99 Dayton Audio
Pros: A 2-way bookshelf speaker with a 5.25” mid-woofer (large surround) and a 1” dome tweeter, plus two passive radiators on the rear panel. A bass shelf in its response lets it sit closer to a wall than many speakers without sounding overly boomy, a similar design trait to the KEF R3 Meta. Measured F3 of about 55Hz and F10 of about 30Hz. Harmonic distortion is good for a 5.25” mid-woofer at both 86dB and 96dB output, and dynamic range/compression is reasonably well controlled up to about 96dB. Horizontal radiation of about ±60° lands right in the reviewer’s personally preferred range for soundstage width. On-axis, the sound is a little forward-leaning rather than dull, and EQ can bring back midrange fullness and a bigger sense of image spread if the stock tuning’s slightly recessed midrange isn’t to your taste.
Cons: Measured average sensitivity is notably low at about 75.7dB - well under the 78dB spec - due to a nearly 3dB dip through the midrange, and the reviewer needed serious amplification (monoblock power amps, not just a compact streaming amp) to drive them to real listening levels for bass testing. On-axis response is within only about ±3dB (a 6dB window) - not very linear - with a mid-range scoop and a bump around 1kHz that makes the sound a bit forward and less full than a neutral reference; EQ can address most of this but makes the image slightly more diffuse in exchange for added fullness. A roughly one-octave-wide diffraction dip between 3-5kHz can’t be corrected with EQ, since boosting it raises reflected energy in a band that’s already elevated off-axis. Top end rolls off fairly quickly above about 10kHz on-axis, and toeing the speakers out more than about 10° loses noticeable air and cymbal/hi-hat detail - best kept close to on-axis. Multitone distortion jumps substantially between 87dB and 96dB SPL/1m, so headroom for loud listening is limited. Vertical window is tight at about ±20°.
Full Dayton Audio OPAL1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,200Hz |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 7"W x 9.5"D |
| Drivers | 5.25" mid-woofer, 1" dome tweeter, dual rear passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, half-space, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (4.3 ohms minimum @ 4.4kHz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W RMS (75-200W recommended amplifier power) |
| Sensitivity | 75.7dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 78dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 20.8 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator, rear (dual) |
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Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
Ranked #83 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers - Dayton Audio MK602X: $149/pair Amazon Parts Express
Pros: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension—72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10—and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis.
Cons: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10.
Full Dayton Audio MK602X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin's impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Small Passive Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs)
Ranked #1 of 2 in Small Passive Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) - Dayton Audio MKSX4: $144.98 Amazon
Pros: Four 4-inch drivers in a low-profile (under 8-inch) cabinet deliver 106.2dB CEA-2010-A average, the best output-per-dollar of any passive subwoofer tested.
Cons: Budget-tier output at 106.2 dB, four small 4-inch drivers, ported room dependency, and $145 price point.
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Dayton Audio MKSX4 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 106.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16"H x 5.9"W x 14"D (406.4 x 149.9 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 4" (102mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 78.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 95.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 106.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 110.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 112.3 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs / 12.2 kg |
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Small Powered Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs)
Ranked #24 of 42 in Small Powered Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) - Dayton Audio SUB-1000L: $150
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Dayton Audio SUB-1000L review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 104.0 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 6"H x 25"W x 15.7"D (152.4 x 635.0 x 400.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 83.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 90.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 94.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 102.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 105.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 108.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs / 12.9 kg |
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Medium Powered Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs)
Ranked #75 of 137 in Medium Powered Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) - Dayton Audio SUB-1500: $260
Pros: Huge 15-inch dual-port with 150W RMS offers extraordinary value at $260. Tight punchy low bass and very good dynamics. Large-room fill with control and easy setup.
Full Dayton Audio SUB-1500 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19.7"H x 19.2"W x 19.7"D (501.6 x 488.9 x 501.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | 23-140Hz |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 90.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 96.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 112.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 111.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.1 dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 150W RMS |
| Weight | 60 lbs / 27.2 kg |
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Ranked #100 of 137 in Medium Powered Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) - Dayton Audio SUB-1200: $180
Pros: 12” long-throw woofer, 120W. Impeccable construction inside and out. Tight and controlled like sealed, digs deep like ported. Continuously variable 40-140Hz crossover. High-level inputs/outputs. Great bang-for-buck at $180.
Full Dayton Audio SUB-1200 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 109.1 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16.7"H x 16.2"W x 17.7"D (425.4 x 411.0 x 450.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | 25-140Hz |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 76.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 85.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 95.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 100.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.2 dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 120W RMS |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 44.8 lbs / 20.3 kg |
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Discontinued Dayton Audio Models
Still ranked, and often still worth buying used, but no longer in production. Check availability before planning around one of these.
Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Ranked #23 of 36 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers - Dayton Audio M4: $249.98 Parts Express
Pros: Good build quality. Has a subwoofer output for extending the low end. Overall linearity is decent for the price. Avoids sibilance since it’s slightly recessed right in the harsh 4-8kHz region.
Cons: The amplifier is only in the left speaker, so it’s not separate amps in each unit. Bass doesn’t extend very deep, and unlike some rivals it doesn’t use DSP to boost the low end. Sounds noticeably different up close versus at a normal listening distance, with a softer treble near field and a more recessed upper midrange farther away. Limited output headroom - distortion rises sharply above about 93dB, so it’s better suited to near-field or desktop use than as a far-field living-room speaker.
Full Dayton Audio M4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (RCA) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 121Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C DAC, up to 192kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6.5" x 9.5" (127 x 165 x 241 mm) (W x D x H) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 4" aluminum woofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 75W RMS (150W peak) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (20Hz - 200Hz) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs / 2.81 kg (active), 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg (passive) |
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