Short answer: the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II over the Polk Audio PSW10. The Velodyne’s 12-inch sealed driver manages a 111.1dB CEA-2010-A average, second only to the pricier SVS SB-1000 PRO among compact subwoofers and well clear of the Polk’s 110.3 dB. Its limits are a small sealed driver that restricts extension below 20 Hz and a 9.5 kg cabinet; the PSW10 is the cheaper, lighter-output alternative.
On the Polk Audio PSW10 side: 10-inch Dynamic Balance polymer composite driver with 100W Peak Class D amp. The tradeoff: Budget-tier construction, ported room dependency, lower 110.3 dB output, and $250 entry-level positioning.
The case for the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II: 12-inch sealed driver reaches 111.1dB CEA-2010-A average, second only to the pricier SVS SB-1000 PRO among compact subwoofers. The tradeoff: Small sealed driver limits extension below 20 Hz and 9.5 kg (20.9 lbs) compact size.
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 Polk Audio PSW10 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II if sound quality matters more than the price.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio PSW10 | Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 Discontinued | $499 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #9 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 96.1 dB | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 104.7 dB | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.7 dB | 111.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 113.8 dB | 112.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.1 dB | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 112.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 110.7 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB | 111.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 14.4"H x 14"W x 16.1"D (365.0 x 355.6 x 409.4 mm) | 14.7"H x 14.2"W x 16.4"D (374.6 x 361.9 x 415.8 mm) |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/3 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | ErinsAudioCorner | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | - | 95.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | - | 100.1 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II:
- SVS SB-1000 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Onkyo SKW-204
- SVS SB-1000 PRO vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- SVS 3000 Micro vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
- GoldenEar ForceField 3 vs Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II
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
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 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
- Polk Audio PSW10 vs Onkyo SKW-204
- See all 12 comparisons
Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II: $499 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 12-inch sealed driver reaches 111.1dB CEA-2010-A average, second only to the pricier SVS SB-1000 PRO among compact subwoofers. Sealed cabinet suits smaller rooms without a large footprint.
Cons: Small sealed driver limits extension below 20 Hz and 9.5 kg compact size. Discontinued.
Full Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.1 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 14.7"H x 14.2"W x 16.4"D (374.6 x 361.9 x 415.8 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 95.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 100.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 109.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 111.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 112.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Ilkka Rissanen; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS 3000 Micro
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS SB-1000 PRO
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Onkyo SKW-204
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs SVS SB-1000
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs GoldenEar ForceField 3
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs ELAC IW-S10EQ in-wall
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt
- Velodyne Acoustics SPL-1200 Series II vs Paradigm Defiance V12