Short answer: the Monoprice SW-12, on both output and price. It is a 12-inch ported sub with 400W RMS (600W peak) that hits hard with clean tight transients, and its 112.3 dB output figure beats the Polk’s 110.3 dB, at $166.73 against $249 for the PSW10. The Polk counters with a 10-inch Dynamic Balance driver and only a 100W peak Class D amp.
What the Monoprice SW-12 gets right: 12-inch ported with 400W RMS (600W peak) on a budget at just $230. Hits hard with clean tight transient response. The catch: Entry-level build quality, ported enclosure room interaction, and lower 112.3 dB output capability.
On the Polk Audio PSW10 side: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. The catch: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $250 entry-level positioning.
One note: the Polk Audio PSW10 is discontinued, but it still ranks #17 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Monoprice SW-12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk Audio PSW10 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice SW-12 | Polk Audio PSW10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $166.73 | $249.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #17 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.7 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.1 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.2 dB | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 119.0 dB | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 122.9 dB | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 123.0 dB | 113.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.2 dB | 110.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 18.3"W x 19.1"D (378.5 x 464.8 x 485.1 mm) | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23.0 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 5/3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Frequency Response | 35-150Hz, -10dB | - |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS / 600W peak | - |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 90.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 110.7 dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Monoprice SW-12 compares with other leading options:
- JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO vs Monoprice SW-12
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs Monoprice SW-12
- HSU Research ULS-15 MK2 vs Monoprice SW-12
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Monoprice SW-15
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Monoprice SW-12: $166.73 Amazon eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported with 400W RMS (600W peak) on a budget at just $167. Hits hard with clean tight transient response. Variable crossover and volume controls for setup flexibility. Speaker-level and line-level inputs for easy integration.
Cons: Entry-level build quality, ported enclosure room interaction, and lower 112.3 dB output capability.
Notes: Product # 41498
Full Monoprice SW-12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS / 600W peak |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.2 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 18.3"W x 19.1"D (378.5 x 464.8 x 485.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | 35-150Hz, -10dB |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 90.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 122.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 123.0 dB |
| Warranty | 1 |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice SW-12 vs HSU Research ULS-15 MK2
- Monoprice SW-12 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X
- Monoprice SW-12 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 212PRO
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Monoprice SW-15
- Monoprice SW-12 vs SVS SB-3000
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Klipsch SPL-120
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Rythmik F12
- See all 19 comparisons
Polk Audio PSW10: $249.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. Deep bass capabilities are impressive with exceptional definition/control per CNet. Reduces distortion (uncommon at this price). Good hard clean bass performs well at higher volumes. Easy setup and affordable price consistently highlighted by thousands of buyers. Polk Power Port channels airflow cleanly for tighter bass without port noise. Best for average/small rooms and apartments.
Cons: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $249 entry-level positioning. Discontinued.
Full Polk Audio PSW10 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by ErinsAudioCorner; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Klipsch HD Theater 600
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- See all 12 comparisons