Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for the higher ranking, the Reaction Audio PV-15X for the lower price. The Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra ranks #13 of 97 subwoofers at $2300. The Reaction Audio PV-15X ranks #16 at $1999, $301 cheaper.
What the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra gets right: 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. The tradeoff: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
On the Reaction Audio PV-15X side: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet. The tradeoff: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg.
One note: the Reaction Audio PV-15X is discontinued, but it still ranks #16 of 97 subwoofers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Reaction Audio PV-15X if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | Reaction Audio PV-15X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 | $1999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #16 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB | 126.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB | 126.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22.0"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) | 18.0"H x 22.0"W x 29.0"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs / 77.8 kg | 149.9 lbs / 68 kg |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300
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 Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22.0"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 |
- 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 Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- See all 18 comparisons
- Links
Reaction Audio PV-15X: $1999 Discontinued
Pros: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet.
Cons: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg. Discontinued.
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18.0"H x 22.0"W x 29.0"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs / 68 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 2400
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Funk Audio Ultra 21.0LX
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO
- See all 17 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.