Short answer: the Monoprice SW-12. It ranks #5 of 145 subwoofers by sound quality at $230; the Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE ranks #22 and costs $1499, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Monoprice SW-12 offers: 12-inch ported with 400W RMS (600W peak) on a budget at just $230. Hits hard with clean tight transient response. Variable crossover and volume controls for setup flexibility. Speaker-level and line-level inputs for easy integration. Watch for: Entry-level build quality, ported enclosure room interaction, and lower 112.3 dB output capability.
What the Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE offers: 15-inch sealed driver delivers 117.8dB CEA-2010-A average in a compact sealed enclosure. Watch for: No detailed measurement caveats are currently recorded.
Buy the Monoprice SW-12. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice SW-12 | Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $1499 |
| Ranked | #5 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #22 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | sealed |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.7 dB | 100.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.1 dB | 107.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.2 dB | 110.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 119.0 dB | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB | 117.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 122.9 dB | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 123.0 dB | 119.4 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.2 dB | 117.8 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 18.3"W x 19.1"D (378.5 x 464.8 x 485.1 mm) | 19.5"H x 17"W x 18"D (495.3 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23.0 kg) | 67 lbs (30.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Data-bass |
| Frequency Response | 35-150Hz, -10dB | 23-200Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS / 600W peak | 550W RMS / 1650W peak |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 90.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 91.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 96.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 118.6 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Monoprice SW-12:
- 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 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 SW-12: $230 Amazon eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported with 400W RMS (600W peak) on a budget at just $230. 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 Rythmik F12
- Monoprice SW-12 vs SVS SB-2000
- See all 15 comparisons
Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE: $1499 eBay
Pros: 15-inch sealed driver delivers 117.8dB CEA-2010-A average in a compact sealed enclosure.
Full Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 550W RMS / 1650W peak |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.8 dB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19.5"H x 17"W x 18"D (495.3 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 23-200Hz, ±3dB |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 91.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 96.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 100.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 107.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 110.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 117.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 119.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 118.6 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 67 lbs (30.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Starke Sound SW15
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs JBL HDI-1200P
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Rythmik F12
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15-BASE
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs SVS SB-3000
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs Monoprice SW-15
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE vs SVS SB-2000
- See all 15 comparisons