Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for output per dollar, the JBL HDI-1200P for a smaller build. Monoprice’s 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver a 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average, and it costs $2,300, $10 less than the JBL at $2,310. The catch is weight at 78 kg (172 lbs), and the ported design can interact with room acoustics; the JBL uses a dual-ported 1000W 12-inch high-excursion cone.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL HDI-1200P | Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,310 Discontinued | $2,300 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #32 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #19 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 93.2 dB | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 109.5 dB | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 115.6 dB | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.1 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.0 dB | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 114.9 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 115.4 dB | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 117.2 dB | 127.6 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.2 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 16.9”H x 16.3”W x 17.8”D (430.5 x 414.0 x 451.4 mm) | 25.6”H x 22”W x 28.1”D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Weight | 70.8 lbs (32.1 kg) | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 28-150Hz (-6dB) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W RMS | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 50-150Hz, 24dB/octave | - |
| Inputs | RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced) | XLR, RCA, XLR out |
| Features | Single-band parametric EQ | - |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver | 16” (406mm) driver |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 15 Hz | - | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 118.4 dB |
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