Short answer: the Starke Sound SW15, because it reaches deeper on more power. The sealed 15-inch SW15 at $1075 against $899 delivers tight, controlled deep bass down to 14Hz from 450W RMS. The KRK Systems 12S is a 12-inch Kevlar ported sub with 240W RMS offering smooth response and solid deep extension but not the same reach.
On the KRK Systems 12S side: 12-inch Kevlar ported with 240W RMS offers smooth response and solid deep extension.
The case for the Starke Sound SW15: Sealed 15-inch with 450W RMS delivers tight controlled deep bass down to 14Hz.
Worth knowing: the KRK Systems 12S is discontinued, though it still ranks #25 of 145 subwoofers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the KRK Systems 12S. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $176 less than the Starke Sound SW15.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KRK Systems 12S | Starke Sound SW15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899 Discontinued | $1,075 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #25 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #23 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 92.8 dB | 98.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 99.1 dB | 104.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.0 dB | 110.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 115.6 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 118.2 dB | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.8 dB | 117.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.6 dB | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.6 dB | 113.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.1 dB | 117.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 15.9"W x 22.6"D (460.0 x 404.9 x 575.1 mm) | 17.3"H x 16.5"W x 18.9"D (439.4 x 419.1 x 480.1 mm) |
| Weight | 66.6 lbs (30.2 kg) | 54.9 lbs (24.9 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Audioholics |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 32-139Hz | 14-240Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 240W RMS | 450W RMS / 900W peak |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Inputs | XLR (stereo, balanced), TRS (stereo), RCA (stereo) | 1 XLR (balanced), 3 RCA (unbalanced) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | 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 12.5 Hz | - | 86.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 90.8 dB |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 50-200Hz adjustable |
| Phase Control | - | 0°-180° adjustable |
| Features | - | Sealed subwoofer, outputs: XLR |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Starke Sound SW15 compares with other leading options:
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Starke Sound SW15
- Monoprice SW-15 vs Starke Sound SW15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Starke Sound SW15
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15-BASE vs Starke Sound SW15
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Starke Sound SW15
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
KRK Systems 12S: $899 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 12-inch Kevlar ported with 240W RMS offers smooth response and solid deep extension. Little port noise with no cabinet rattle. Highly recommended professional studio subwoofer at fair price point.
Cons: Discontinued.
Full KRK Systems 12S review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W RMS |
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.1 dB |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 18.1"H x 15.9"W x 22.6"D (460.0 x 404.9 x 575.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Frequency Response | 32-139Hz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (stereo, balanced), TRS (stereo), RCA (stereo) |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 99.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 115.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.6 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 66.6 lbs (30.2 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
Starke Sound SW15: $1,075 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Sealed 15-inch with 450W RMS delivers tight controlled deep bass down to 14Hz. Excellent +/-1.5dB response curve from 10Hz-50Hz. Infrasonic capable with no high-pass filter cutoff. Fast accurate response without distortion or bloat.
Cons: Discontinued.
Full Starke Sound SW15 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 450W RMS / 900W peak |
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.3 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Crossover Frequency | 50-200Hz adjustable |
| Dimensions | 17.3"H x 16.5"W x 18.9"D (439.4 x 419.1 x 480.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Features | Sealed subwoofer, outputs: XLR |
| Frequency Response | 14-240Hz, ±3dB |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1 XLR (balanced), 3 RCA (unbalanced) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 86.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 104.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 110.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 117.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Phase Control | 0°-180° adjustable |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 54.9 lbs (24.9 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons