Short answer: the Dayton Audio CS1000. It ranks #12 of 73 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $199.98; the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L ranks #26, rated 3.4/5, and costs $209.98, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Dayton Audio CS1000 is the better-sounding pick. The 10” sibling of the measured Dayton Audio CS1200, with a mineral-filled polypropylene woofer, a 180W Class D amplifier and a cabinet vented at 39Hz. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Dayton Audio CS1200, which reached 119.0dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands.
The case for the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 89.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. Watch for: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects.
Buy the Dayton Audio CS1000. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: the Dayton Audio CS1000’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.3 to 3.9, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio CS1000 | Dayton Audio SUB-1000L | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.98 | $209.98 |
| Ranked | #12 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) Estimated | #26 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 16”H x 13.5”W x 14.4”D (406 x 342 x 365 mm) | 6”H x 25”W x 15.7”D (152.4 x 635.0 x 400.0 mm) |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Enclosure | ported | ported, bottom |
| Drivers | 10” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer | 10” (254mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | 180W Class D | - |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz low end (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Port Tuning | 39Hz | - |
| Weight | 29.3 lbs (13.3 kg) | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 89.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 96.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | - | 100.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | - | 104.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | - | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | - | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | - | 114.7 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | - | 110.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
| Measurement Source | - | Brent Butterworth |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Dayton Audio CS1000:
- Edifier T5s vs Dayton Audio CS1000
- Dayton Audio CS1000 vs PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT
- Dayton Audio CS1000 vs Polk Audio PSW108
- PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT vs Dayton Audio SUB-1000L
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Polk Audio PSW108
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
Dayton Audio CS1000: $199.98 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Dayton Audio CS1200 (larger subwoofer, rated 4.1/5). See every Dayton Audio Subwoofers generation.
Pros: The 10” sibling of the measured Dayton Audio CS1200, with a mineral-filled polypropylene woofer, a 180W Class D amplifier and a cabinet vented at 39Hz. Dayton rates it to 28Hz and 109dB, and an optional wireless kit is available. It is one of the cheapest subwoofers from a line with measured results.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured Dayton Audio CS1200, which reached 119.0dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands. With a smaller woofer and cabinet it should play several dB quieter.
Full Dayton Audio CS1000 review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W Class D |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16”H x 13.5”W x 14.4”D (406 x 342 x 365 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz low end (manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Port Tuning | 39Hz |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 29.3 lbs (13.3 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
Dayton Audio SUB-1000L: $209.98 Amazon eBay
Same family: the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 (larger subwoofer, rated 3.8/5) and the Dayton Audio SUB-1500 (larger subwoofer, rated 3.6/5). See every Dayton Audio Subwoofers generation.
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 89.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, bottom enclosure with 10” (254mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room.
Cons: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 152.4H x 635.0W x 400.0D mm cabinet and 12.9 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Dayton Audio SUB-1000L review and specifications →
| Released | 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.0 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 | 89.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 96.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 100.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Polk Audio PSW108
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs ELAC SUB1010
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Yamaha HS8S
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Jamo SUB 800
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Monoprice Monolith 8 THX Certified