Short answer: the Monoprice SW-12. It ranks #6 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $364.99; the Monoprice SW-15 ranks #14, rated 4.1/5, and costs $499.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The numbers. The SW-15 measures 119.0 dB average and 101.2 dB at 20 Hz. The SW-12 measures 115.2 dB and 96.7 dB. Both are bottom-ported. In practice the SW-15 is the better subwoofer in every way that a subwoofer is judged, and both are outstanding for what they cost. The SW-15 out-measures subwoofers at three times its price.
The real question is size, not money. The SW-15 is a 15” driver in a 30 kg (66.1 lbs) cabinet; the SW-12 is a 12” in 23 kg (50.7 lbs). Neither is small, but the SW-15 is genuinely large and needs to be planned for rather than tucked away.
Buy the SW-12 if: the room is small, the cabinet has to fit somewhere specific, or you’re in an apartment where the deepest output would only annoy neighbours. In a small room, room gain does much of the deep work anyway. See best subwoofers for small rooms.
Buy the SW-15 if the space exists. It is one of the best value subwoofers measured anywhere.
And consider buying two SW-12s instead of one SW-15. Two cost $364.99 each against $499.99 for one SW-15, and two subwoofers in different positions average out room modes across every seat, which is a larger real-world improvement than the output difference between these two. The full argument is in the subwoofer buyer’s guide.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
A budget 12 inch subwoofer that hits hard with clean, tight bass and easy connections.
A big 15 inch subwoofer with powerful, punchy bass at a budget price, great for movies in a large room.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice SW-12 | Monoprice SW-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $364.99 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #14 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.7 dB | 101.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.1 dB | 106.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.2 dB | 111.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 119.0 dB | 116.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB | 120.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 122.9 dB | 120.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 123.0 dB | 119.5 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.2 dB | 119.0 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.9”H x 18.3”W x 19.1”D (378.5 x 464.8 x 485.1 mm) | 18.1”H x 21”W x 22.7”D (459.7 x 533.4 x 576.6 mm) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23.0 kg) | 66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 1 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 35-150Hz, -10dB | 30-150Hz (-10dB) |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS / 600W peak | 600W RMS / 800W peak |
| Drivers | 12” (305mm) driver | 15” (381mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 90.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 90.0 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 40-150Hz, 18dB/octave |
| Phase Control | - | 0° or 180° |
| Inputs | - | Stereo line level and speaker level |
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