Short answer: the Funk Audio Classic 18.0. It ranks #17 of 143 subwoofers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $9,875 and is still sold new; the BK Electronics Monolith-DF ranks #141 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the BK Electronics Monolith-DF does well: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 102.0 dB at 20 Hz and 108.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The tradeoff: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority.
The Funk Audio Classic 18.0 is the better-sounding choice. Independent CEA-2010 testing records 106.5 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. Watch for: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority.
Buy the Funk Audio Classic 18.0. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the BK Electronics Monolith-DF is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| BK Electronics Monolith-DF | Funk Audio Classic 18.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £406.95 Discontinued | $9,875 |
| Ranked | #141 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #17 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 91.3 dB | 102.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.0 dB | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.4 dB | 111.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 108.3 dB | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.6 dB | 124.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.7 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 108.6 dB | 128.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 107.7 dB | 129.6 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 108.4 dB | 127.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 21.3”W x 16.5”D (603.8 x 539.8 x 419.9 mm) | 22.5”H x 22”W x 20.5”D (571.5 x 558.8 x 520.7 mm) |
| Weight | 103.2 lbs (46.8 kg) | 115.1 lbs (52.2 kg) |
| Warranty | 2 | 3 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | wood, custom |
| Country | United Kingdom | Canada |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver with ported design | 18” (457mm) driver |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced) | XLR (balanced, with daisy-chain) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | - | 94.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 98.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 130.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 130.8 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Funk Audio Classic 18.0 compares with other leading options:
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- Harbinger V2218S vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
BK Electronics Monolith-DF: £406.95 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 102.0 dB at 20 Hz and 108.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, bottom enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver with ported design delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 603.8H x 539.8W x 419.9D mm cabinet and 46.8 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Full BK Electronics Monolith-DF review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 108.4 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 21.3”W x 16.5”D (603.8 x 539.8 x 419.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver with ported design |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 91.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 108.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 107.7 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 2 |
| Weight | 103.2 lbs (46.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Ilkka Rissanen; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs SVS SB13-Plus
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs Genelec HTS4B
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 12S
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK3
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs Rythmik F18
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs SVS PB-4000
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
- BK Electronics Monolith-DF vs Rythmik FV15HP
- See all 16 comparisons
Funk Audio Classic 18.0: $9,875 Funk Audio $9,875 eBay
Same family: the Funk Audio Classic 21.0L (larger subwoofer, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 106.5 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver delivers formidable upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 571.5H x 558.8W x 520.7D mm cabinet and 52.2 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Notes: Data-bass labeled this sub as ‘FW18.0’, but original name is 18.0
Full Funk Audio Classic 18.0 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB |
| Cabinet Color | wood, custom |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Canada |
| Dimensions | 22.5”H x 22”W x 20.5”D (571.5 x 558.8 x 520.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 18” (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced, with daisy-chain) |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 94.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 98.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 102.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 124.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 128.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 129.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 130.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 130.8 dB |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 115.1 lbs (52.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Harbinger V2218S
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Rythmik FV25HP
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- See all 19 comparisons


