Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#55 and #75 of 212 subwoofers), and the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S costs $1,000 against $1,049 for the ELAC Varro PS500, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S does well: Sealed 12-inch with 550W RMS delivers clean 110dB+ punch with extension below 20Hz.
Why pick the ELAC Varro PS500: Large 15-inch treated paper woofer in a ported enclosure driven by a 500W RMS / 1000W peak BASH amplifier. The tradeoff: Substantial cabinet footprint occupying nearly 19 inches on all sides.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $49 less than the ELAC Varro PS500.
About the ratings: the ELAC Varro PS500’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.6 to 4.0, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S | ELAC Varro PS500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,000 | $1,049.00 |
| Ranked | #55 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #75 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 93.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.5 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 102.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 111.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 115.0 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.5 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.0 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 117.6 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.5 dB | - |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 12.4”W x 16.3”D (414.8 x 315.0 x 414.8 mm) | 18.9”H x 18.1”W x 18.1”D (480 x 460 x 460 mm) |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) | 57.1 lbs (25.9 kg) |
| Warranty | 10/5 | 3/1 |
| Cabinet Color | black, white | - |
| Country | Norway | Germany |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner | - |
| Frequency Response | 19-200Hz, ±3dB | 20Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 550W RMS | 500W RMS / 1000W peak (BASH) |
| Drivers | 12.2” (310mm) driver | 15” (381mm) treated paper cone |
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- ELAC Varro PS500 vs Kali Audio WS-12 V2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S: $1,000 Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1V (larger subwoofer, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Sealed 12-inch with 550W RMS delivers clean 110dB+ punch with extension below 20Hz. Better group delay than most sealed subs avoids overhang or sluggishness. Exceptional build quality and flexible adjustability for hi-fi and cinema.
Full Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 550W RMS |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.5 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Country | Norway |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 12.4”W x 16.3”D (414.8 x 315.0 x 414.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 12.2” (310mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 19-200Hz, ±3dB |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 93.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 102.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 115.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 117.6 dB |
| Warranty | 10/5 |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ELAC Varro PS500: $1,049.00 Estimated Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the ELAC Varro PS250 (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5) and the ELAC PS350 (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: Large 15-inch treated paper woofer in a ported enclosure driven by a 500W RMS / 1000W peak BASH amplifier. Delivers authoritative low-frequency headroom down to 20Hz with automated app AutoEQ.
Cons: Substantial cabinet footprint occupying nearly 19 inches on all sides. High output in small rooms can trigger severe room modes without proper DSP calibration.
Full ELAC Varro PS500 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS / 1000W peak (BASH) |
| Country | Germany |
| Dimensions | 18.9”H x 18.1”W x 18.1”D (480 x 460 x 460 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) treated paper cone |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3/1 |
| Weight | 57.1 lbs (25.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons