Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks #18 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $2300; the Magico Audio ASUB ranks #104 and costs $6500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
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 Magico Audio ASUB offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 94.3 dB at 20 Hz and 111.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 10” (254mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music. Watch for: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 457.2H x 368.3W x 447.0D mm cabinet and 49.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Magico Audio ASUB and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
The Magico Audio ASUB is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers; there are better options higher up.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | Magico Audio ASUB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 | $6,500 |
| Ranked | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #104 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB | 94.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB | 99.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB | 105.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB | 111.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) | 18"H x 14.5"W x 17.6"D (457.2 x 368.3 x 447.0 mm) |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) | 108 lbs (49.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brian Kahn |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver | 10" (254mm) driver |
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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
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
Full Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
- 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
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Funk Audio Ultra 21.0LX
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 2400
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Harbinger V2218S
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Rythmik FV25HP
- See all 54 comparisons
Magico Audio ASUB: $6,500 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 94.3 dB at 20 Hz and 111.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 10” (254mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 457.2H x 368.3W x 447.0D mm cabinet and 49.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full Magico Audio ASUB review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.1 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 18"H x 14.5"W x 17.6"D (457.2 x 368.3 x 447.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Brian Kahn |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 94.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 99.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 105.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 109.1 dB |
| Weight | 108 lbs (49.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brian Kahn; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons