Short answer: the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L. It ranks #20 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality at $150; the Jamo SUB 800 ranks #38 and costs $499, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Jamo SUB 800 offers: A tiny 4.6kg, 20cm-cube subwoofer that can add useful bass in a compact 2.1 or satellite system without dominating the room. Its passive-radiator design produces respectable measured output for its size: 103.2dB at 50Hz and 108.4dB at 63Hz. Reviewers found it capable of surprisingly low extension when carefully adjusted. Watch for: Its small driver and cabinet run out of steam in the deepest bass: measured output falls to 84.1dB at 31.5Hz and 95.1dB at 40Hz. Reviews also find its balance difficult to dial in, where restraining the low-end thud can leave a mid-bass hole. It suits a small room and modest satellites, not high-impact cinema bass.
Buy the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Jamo SUB 800 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Jamo SUB 800. It ranks near the bottom of the 48 subwoofers, so look higher up the list instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dayton Audio SUB-1000L | Jamo SUB 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $499 |
| Ranked | #20 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #38 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | passive radiator |
| 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 | 84.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.9 dB | 95.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.3 dB | 103.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.9 dB | 108.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.7 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.0 dB | 102.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 6"H x 25"W x 15.7"D (152.4 x 635.0 x 400.0 mm) | 8"H x 8"W x 8"D (203.2 x 203.2 x 203.2 mm) |
| Weight | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | Denmark |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Brent Butterworth |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver | 6.5" (165mm) driver |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Dayton Audio SUB-1000L:
- ELAC SUB1010 vs Dayton Audio SUB-1000L
- Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt vs Dayton Audio SUB-1000L
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Yamaha HS8S
- Dayton Audio SUB-1000L vs Monoprice Monolith 8 THX Certified
- Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt vs Jamo SUB 800
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
Dayton Audio SUB-1000L: $150 eBay
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 →
| 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
Jamo SUB 800: $499 eBay
Pros: A tiny 4.6kg, 20cm-cube subwoofer that can add useful bass in a compact 2.1 or satellite system without dominating the room. Its passive-radiator design produces respectable measured output for its size: 103.2dB at 50Hz and 108.4dB at 63Hz. Reviewers found it capable of surprisingly low extension when carefully adjusted.
Cons: Its small driver and cabinet run out of steam in the deepest bass: measured output falls to 84.1dB at 31.5Hz and 95.1dB at 40Hz. Reviews also find its balance difficult to dial in, where restraining the low-end thud can leave a mid-bass hole. It suits a small room and modest satellites, not high-impact cinema bass.
Full Jamo SUB 800 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 102.2 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
|---|---|
| Country | Denmark |
| Dimensions | 8"H x 8"W x 8"D (203.2 x 203.2 x 203.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) driver |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 84.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 95.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 103.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 108.4 dB |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 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