Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for better sound quality, the SVS PB12-Plus for the lower price. The Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra ranks #18 of 110 subwoofers at $2300. The SVS PB12-Plus ranks #83 at $1499, $801 cheaper.
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 SVS PB12-Plus offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 110.0 dB at 20 Hz and 118.0 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver with ported design has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 558.8H x 502.9W x 675.6D mm cabinet and 57.6 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 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the SVS PB12-Plus if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Skip the SVS PB12-Plus if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | SVS PB12-Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 | $1499 |
| Ranked | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #83 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB | 110.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB | 112.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB | 114.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB | 118.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB | 118.3 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 | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB | 118.0 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) | 22"H x 19.8"W x 26.6"D (558.8 x 502.9 x 675.6 mm) |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) | 127 lbs (57.6 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver with ported design |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
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
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- 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
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SVS PB12-Plus: $1499 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 110.0 dB at 20 Hz and 118.0 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver with ported design has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 558.8H x 502.9W x 675.6D mm cabinet and 57.6 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.
Full SVS PB12-Plus review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.0 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 22"H x 19.8"W x 26.6"D (558.8 x 502.9 x 675.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver with ported design |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 110.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 112.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 114.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 118.3 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 127 lbs (57.6 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