Short answer: the Onkyo SKW-204. It ranks #3 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $299. The Polk Audio PSW10 ranks #17, rated 3.4/5, at $249, $50 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Polk Audio PSW10: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. Set against that: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $250 entry-level positioning.
One note: the Onkyo SKW-204 is discontinued, but it still ranks #3 of 48 subwoofers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Onkyo SKW-204. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $50 with the Polk Audio PSW10 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Onkyo SKW-204 | Polk Audio PSW10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 Discontinued | $249.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #17 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 90.1 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.3 dB | 96.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.7 dB | 104.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.0 dB | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.6 dB | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.4 dB | 113.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.9 dB | 110.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 18.6"H x 10.8"W x 16.9"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | Japan | United States |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | ErinsAudioCorner |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 112.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 110.7 dB |
| Warranty | - | 5/3 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Onkyo SKW-204:
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS SB-1000
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Onkyo SKW-204
- Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000 vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Onkyo SKW-204
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Onkyo SKW-204
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
Onkyo SKW-204: $299 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 77.3 dB at 20 Hz and 115.9 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 10” (254mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 472.9H x 274.6W x 428.5D mm cabinet and 11.8 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration. Discontinued.
Full Onkyo SKW-204 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.9 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | Japan |
| Dimensions | 18.6"H x 10.8"W x 16.9"D (472.9 x 274.6 x 428.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 90.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 119.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.4 dB |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 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
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Definitive Technology SuperCube 2000
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS SB-1000
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs MartinLogan Dynamo 700w
- Onkyo SKW-204 vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- See all 10 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