Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 1400

Last updated: September 14, 2026

Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks #18 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $2300; the JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 ranks #28 and costs $2495, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 1400

What the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra offers: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it. Watch for: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.

What the JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 116.1 dB at 20 Hz and 125.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 508.0H x 762.0W x 571.5D mm cabinet and 64.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.

Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.

Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra JTR Speakers Captivator 1400
Price$2,300$2495
Ranked#18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)#28 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)
Enclosureported, frontported, front
Output SPL at 15 Hz107.3 dB111.9 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz118.4 dB116.1 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz123.3 dB119.2 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz125.1 dB121.7 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz126.3 dB124.8 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz126.5 dB126.4 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz126.6 dB125.4 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz126.8 dB124.0 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz127.2 dB126.0 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz127.6 dB124.7 dB
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)126.5 dB125.2 dB
Dimensions25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm)20"H x 30"W x 22.5"D (508.0 x 762.0 x 571.5 mm)
Weight171.5 lbs (77.8 kg)142 lbs (64.4 kg)
Warranty55/3
Cabinet Colorblack-
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Measurement SourceAudioholicsData-bass
Drivers16" (406mm) driver18" (457mm) driver
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz-99.3 dB

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra:

Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 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

Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300 eBay

Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra ranking card

Pros: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it.

Cons: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.

Notes: Product # 42031

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)126.5 dB
Cabinet Colorblack
CountryUnited States
Dimensions25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm)
Drivers16" (406mm) driver
Enclosureported, front
Measurement SourceAudioholics
Output SPL at 15 Hz107.3 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz118.4 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz123.3 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz125.1 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz126.3 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz126.5 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz126.6 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz126.8 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz127.2 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz127.6 dB
Warranty5
Weight171.5 lbs (77.8 kg)

JTR Speakers Captivator 1400: $2495 eBay

JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 ranking card

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 116.1 dB at 20 Hz and 125.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.

Cons: The 508.0H x 762.0W x 571.5D mm cabinet and 64.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)125.2 dB
CountryUnited States
Dimensions20"H x 30"W x 22.5"D (508.0 x 762.0 x 571.5 mm)
Drivers18" (457mm) driver
Enclosureported, front
Measurement SourceData-bass
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz99.3 dB
Output SPL at 15 Hz111.9 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz116.1 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz119.2 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz121.7 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz124.8 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz126.4 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz125.4 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz124.0 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz126.0 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz124.7 dB
Warranty5/3
Weight142 lbs (64.4 kg)