Short answer: the Reaction Audio PV-15X. It ranks #16 of 97 subwoofers at $1999; the Monoprice Monolith M-215 ranks #18 and costs $2500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 catch: 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 M-215 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Reaction Audio PV-15X if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith M-215 | Reaction Audio PV-15X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,500 | $1999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 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 12.5 Hz | 103.9 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 113.1 dB | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.9 dB | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 122.6 dB | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.2 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.4 dB | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.1 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 125.6 dB | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 125.6 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 125.7 dB | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.3 dB | 126.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.9 dB | 126.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 42.3"H x 20.0"W x 27.6"D (1074.4 x 508.0 x 701.0 mm) | 18.0"H x 22.0"W x 29.0"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Weight | 216.1 lbs / 98.0 kg | 149.9 lbs / 68 kg |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 2x 15" (381mm) drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Monoprice Monolith M-215: $2,500
Notes: Product # 38543
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.9 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 42.3"H x 20.0"W x 27.6"D (1074.4 x 508.0 x 701.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 15" (381mm) drivers |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 103.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 113.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 122.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 125.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 125.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 125.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.3 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 216.1 lbs / 98.0 kg |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith M-215 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
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- Monoprice Monolith M-215 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- Monoprice Monolith M-215 vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
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- See all 14 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 16 THX Ultra
- 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.