Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks #18 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $2300; the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution ranks #70 and costs $2999, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 PB17-Ultra R-Evolution offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing (Standard Mode) records 113.9 dB at 20 Hz and 119.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. Triple 4” ports and a dual voice coil 17” driver deliver earth-shaking output with a +/-3dB window down to 12Hz in Extended Mode. Watch for: At 167 lbs with recessed feet that leave little clearance, moving or repositioning this cabinet is a two-person job at minimum.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It ranks higher for sound quality than the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 | $2,999.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #70 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB | 113.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB | 119.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB | 120.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB | 119.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB | 119.4 dB |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) | 20"H x 19.5"W x 21.2"D (508.0 x 495.3 x 538.5 mm) |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) | 166.9 lbs (75.7 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver | 17" driver, dual voice coil |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | - | 76.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 90.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | - | 107.0 dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 15-320Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | - | 2800W RMS |
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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
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
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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 PB17-Ultra R-Evolution: $2,999.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing (Standard Mode) records 113.9 dB at 20 Hz and 119.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. Triple 4” ports and a dual voice coil 17” driver deliver earth-shaking output with a +/-3dB window down to 12Hz in Extended Mode.
Cons: At 167 lbs with recessed feet that leave little clearance, moving or repositioning this cabinet is a two-person job at minimum.
Full SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2800W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 119.4 dB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 20"H x 19.5"W x 21.2"D (508.0 x 495.3 x 538.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 17" driver, dual voice coil |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | 15-320Hz, ±3dB |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 76.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 90.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 107.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 113.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 117.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 120.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| Weight | 166.9 lbs (75.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.