Short answer: the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L. It ranks #26 of 73 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $209.98; the ELAC SUB1010 ranks #36, rated 3.3/5, and costs $550, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the ELAC SUB1010: An affordable compact 10 inch ported subwoofer that adds bass weight to a modest room or a first 2.1 setup. The tradeoff: Deep-bass output is limited compared with larger subwoofers, with 96.5dB measured at 31.5Hz, so it is not the right choice for demanding home-theater effects or a large room.
What the Dayton Audio SUB-1000L does well: A budget low profile 10 inch subwoofer only 15 cm tall, made to slide under a couch or bed. The tradeoff: 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 SUB-1000L. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ELAC SUB1010 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
An affordable compact 10 inch ported subwoofer that adds bass weight to a modest room or a first 2.1 setup.
A budget low profile 10 inch subwoofer only 15 cm tall, made to slide under a couch or bed.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC SUB1010 | Dayton Audio SUB-1000L | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 | $209.98 |
| Ranked | #36 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #26 of 73 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.5 dB | 100.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 102.7 dB | 104.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 107.0 dB | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 110.8 dB | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.9 dB | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 111.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 109.5 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 108.1 dB | 110.0 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 12.2”W x 12.2”D (376.2 x 309.4 x 309.4 mm) | 6”H x 25”W x 15.7”D (152.4 x 635.0 x 400.0 mm) |
| Weight | 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg) | 28.4 lbs (12.9 kg) |
| Warranty | 3/1 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | Germany | United States |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner | Brent Butterworth |
| Drivers | 10” (254mm) driver | 10” (254mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 89.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 96.8 dB |
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