Short answer: the Monoprice SW-15. It ranks #14 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $499.99 and is still sold new; the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 ranks #69 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Dayton Audio SUB-1200’s replacement, the Dayton Audio CS1200, is rated 4.1/5 at $239.98.
Why pick the Monoprice SW-15: A big 15 inch subwoofer with powerful, punchy bass at a budget price, great for movies in a large room. The catch: Budget-tier design, ported room gain dependency, 66.1 lbs (30 kg) mid-size, and limited dynamic headroom.
What the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 does well: A very affordable ported 12 inch subwoofer with solid output, an adjustable crossover and speaker level connections, now discontinued. The catch: Rolls off earlier in the low bass than the Infinity and Jamo 12-inch subs it was measured against, so it lacks their depth.
Buy the Monoprice SW-15. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
A big 15 inch subwoofer with powerful, punchy bass at a budget price, great for movies in a large room.
A very affordable ported 12 inch subwoofer with solid output, an adjustable crossover and speaker level connections, now discontinued.
Prices on this page were last checked October 29, 2026 at 4:42 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-15 | Dayton Audio SUB-1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $180 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #69 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 90.0 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 101.2 dB | 91.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.3 dB | 101.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.2 dB | 106.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 116.0 dB | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 120.2 dB | 114.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.5 dB | 117.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 119.5 dB | 117.2 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 119.0 dB | 115.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 18.1”H x 21”W x 22.7”D (459.7 x 533.4 x 576.6 mm) | 16.7”H x 16.2”W x 17.7”D (425.4 x 411.0 x 450.8 mm) |
| Weight | 66.1 lbs (30.0 kg) | 44.8 lbs (20.3 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Frequency Response | 30-150Hz (-10dB) | 25-140Hz |
| Amplifier Power | 600W RMS / 800W peak | 120W RMS |
| Crossover Frequency | 40-150Hz, 18dB/octave | - |
| Phase Control | 0° or 180° | - |
| Inputs | Stereo line level and speaker level | - |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 12” (305mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | - | 82.1 dB |
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