MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Dayton Audio SUB-1500

Short answer: the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X if sound quality matters most, the Dayton Audio SUB-1500 if price matters most. The MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X ranks #2 of 145 subwoofers at $1606.77. The Dayton Audio SUB-1500 ranks #93 at $260, $1346.77 cheaper.

What the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X offers: Sealed 15-inch with 900W RMS, 1800W peak delivers forceful clean tight low bass. Easily configurable as forward-firing or down-firing. Smartphone app with Anthem Room Correction (ARC) optimizes bass across room. Wireless capable with optional SWT-X module. Watch for: Ported design room integration needs, mid-range 121.5 dB output, and $1,607 price.

What the Dayton Audio SUB-1500 offers: Huge 15-inch dual-port with 150W RMS offers extraordinary value at $260. Tight punchy low bass and very good dynamics. Large-room fill with control and easy setup. Watch for: No detailed measurement caveats are currently recorded.

Buy the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Dayton Audio SUB-1500 if the price is the priority over sound quality.

Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

How MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X compares with other leading options:

• JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO vs MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X
• HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X
• MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-12
• MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
• MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Paradigm Defiance X12

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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X: $1,606.77 eBay

Pros: Sealed 15-inch with 900W RMS, 1800W peak delivers forceful clean tight low bass. Easily configurable as forward-firing or down-firing. Smartphone app with Anthem Room Correction (ARC) optimizes bass across room. Wireless capable with optional SWT-X module.

Cons: Ported design room integration needs, mid-range 121.5 dB output, and $1,607 price.

Full MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	900W RMS / 1800W peak
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	120.5 dB
Cabinet Color	black
Country	United States
Dimensions	20.1"H x 17.9"W x 19.1"D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm)
Drivers	15" (381mm) driver
Enclosure	sealed
Frequency Response	20-200Hz, ±3dB
Inputs	RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana)
Measurement Source	Audioholics
Output SPL at 15 Hz	86.2 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz	99.4 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	103.9 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	111.7 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	118.4 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	121.0 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	121.8 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	121.0 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz	120.2 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz	119.0 dB
Warranty	3
Weight	56 lbs (25.4 kg)

• Links
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs HSU Research ULS-15 MK2
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-12
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Paradigm Defiance X12
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15-BASE
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15SEICE-BASE
  • MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-15
  • See all 48 comparisons

Dayton Audio SUB-1500: $260 eBay

Pros: Huge 15-inch dual-port with 150W RMS offers extraordinary value at $260. Tight punchy low bass and very good dynamics. Large-room fill with control and easy setup.

Full Dayton Audio SUB-1500 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	150W RMS
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	111.2 dB
Cabinet Color	black
Country	United States
Dimensions	19.7"H x 19.2"W x 19.7"D (501.6 x 488.9 x 501.6 mm)
Drivers	15" (381mm) driver
Enclosure	ported, bottom
Frequency Response	23-140Hz
Measurement Source	Audioholics
Output SPL at 20 Hz	90.2 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	96.5 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	101.7 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	106.5 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	111.6 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	114.0 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	112.9 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz	111.8 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz	110.1 dB
Weight	60 lbs (27.2 kg)

• Links
  • Dayton Audio SUB-1500 Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Dayton Audio SUB-1500 vs SVS SB-3000
  • Dayton Audio SUB-1500 vs Monoprice SW-15
  • Dayton Audio SUB-1500 vs Polk Audio PSW10