Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.8/5 (#55 and #81 of 212 subwoofers) at nearly the same price ($1,000 vs $999), so choose on features and fit.
What the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S does well: Sealed 12-inch with 550W RMS delivers clean 110dB+ punch with extension below 20Hz.
The case for the Kali Audio WS-12 V2: Kali’s 12” studio and live subwoofer, with a 500W continuous (1000W peak) amplifier, balanced inputs and outputs, and a rated 30 to 200Hz (±3dB) response with 123dB maximum output. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from its specifications and comparable measured 12” ported subwoofers, because Kali’s only measured sub is the much smaller dual 6.5” Kali Audio WS-6.2 (104.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands).
Buy the Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S or the Kali Audio WS-12 V2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Worth knowing: the Kali Audio WS-12 V2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.4 to 4.1, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S | Kali Audio WS-12 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,000 | $999.00 |
| Ranked | #55 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #81 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) | 19.2”H x 17.2”W x 20.5”D (488 x 437 x 521 mm) |
| Weight | 44.1 lbs (20.0 kg) | 63.9 lbs (29 kg) |
| Warranty | 10/5 | 1 |
| Cabinet Color | black, white | - |
| Country | Norway | United States |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner | - |
| Frequency Response | 19-200Hz, ±3dB | 30-200Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 550W RMS | 500W continuous (1000W peak) |
| Drivers | 12.2” (310mm) driver | 12” woofer |
| Maximum SPL | - | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| AES Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S:
- Monoprice SW-15 vs Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S
- SVS SB-3000 vs Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S
- Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S vs ELAC Varro PS500
- Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S vs Definitive Technology Descend DN12
- Kali Audio WS-12 V2 vs Definitive Technology Descend DN12
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
Kali Audio WS-12 V2: $999.00 Estimated Sweetwater eBay
Same family: the Kali Audio WS-6.2 (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Kali’s 12” studio and live subwoofer, with a 500W continuous (1000W peak) amplifier, balanced inputs and outputs, and a rated 30 to 200Hz (±3dB) response with 123dB maximum output.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from its specifications and comparable measured 12” ported subwoofers, because Kali’s only measured sub is the much smaller dual 6.5” Kali Audio WS-6.2 (104.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands). Kali’s 123dB maximum output claim is a peak figure, not a CEA-2010 result. It weighs 29kg.
Full Kali Audio WS-12 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W continuous (1000W peak) |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19.2”H x 17.2”W x 20.5”D (488 x 437 x 521 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 30-200Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 123dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 1 |
| Weight | 63.9 lbs (29 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- 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