Short answer: the SVS SB-3000 for measured output, the Monoprice SW-12 for the $932.27 gap. The sealed 13-inch SVS is rated 800W RMS (2500W peak) with a 118.7dB average and exceptional accuracy. The Monoprice is a 12-inch ported sub at 400W RMS (600W peak) with 112.3 dB output capability, and the lower price is its main argument.
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 tradeoff: Entry-level build quality, ported enclosure room interaction, and lower 112.3 dB output capability.
On the SVS SB-3000 side: 13-inch sealed with 800W RMS (2500W peak) delivers 118.7dB average with exceptional accuracy. The tradeoff: Ported cabinet room-mode dependency, compact 25 kg (55.1 lbs) size limits bass extension, and $1,100 investment.
Buy the Monoprice SW-12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the SVS SB-3000 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice SW-12 | SVS SB-3000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $166.73 | $1,099.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #14 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | sealed |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.7 dB | 96.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 111.1 dB | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.2 dB | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 119.0 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 119.7 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 122.9 dB | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 123.0 dB | 120.9 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.2 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 18.3"W x 19.1"D (378.5 x 464.8 x 485.1 mm) | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23.0 kg) | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 35-150Hz, -10dB | 18-270Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS / 600W peak | 800W RMS / 2500W peak |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 90.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | - | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 120.7 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 30-200Hz adjustable, 6/12/18/24dB slopes |
| Inputs | - | RCA (unbalanced), USB |
| Phase Control | - | 0°-180° |
| Features | - | Auto/On, 3-12V AC/DC trigger |
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 Klipsch SPL-120
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Rythmik F12
- Monoprice SW-12 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE
- See all 19 comparisons
SVS SB-3000: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 13-inch sealed design with 800W RMS (2500W peak) that Audioholics measured at a 118.7dB CEA-2010-A average from 40-80Hz, and rated by SVS at 18-270Hz within ±3dB. Beautifully made with pinpoint control and flawless tonal accuracy. Sweet spot performance-to-value ratio. Three-band parametric EQ with 1Hz precision adjustment.
Cons: Being sealed, it gives up deep-bass output: Audioholics measured 96.6dB at 20Hz and 101.7dB at 25Hz, about 15dB behind the ported SVS PB-3000 from the same series, so a large room or reference-level movie bass may call for a second sub.
Full SVS SB-3000 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 800W RMS / 2500W peak |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 118.7 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Crossover Frequency | 30-200Hz adjustable, 6/12/18/24dB slopes |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 15.2"W x 15.7"D (396.2 x 386.1 x 398.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Features | Auto/On, 3-12V AC/DC trigger |
| Frequency Response | 18-270Hz, ±3dB |
| Inputs | RCA (unbalanced), USB |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 96.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.7 dB |
| Phase Control | 0°-180° |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 54.5 lbs (24.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS SB-3000 vs Monoprice SW-15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15SEICE-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15-BASE
- SVS SB-3000 vs Paradigm Defiance X12
- SVS SB-3000 vs Klipsch SPL-120
- SVS SB-3000 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XV15
- See all 88 comparisons


