Short answer: the Dayton Audio MKSX4. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#14 and #8 of 48 subwoofers), and the Dayton Audio MKSX4 costs $144.98 against $209.99 for the PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 77.7 dB at 20 Hz and 111.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The catch: Warranty is a below-average 1 year.
Why pick the Dayton Audio MKSX4: Four 4-inch drivers in a low-profile (under 8-inch) cabinet deliver 106.2dB CEA-2010-A average, the best output-per-dollar of any passive subwoofer tested. The tradeoff: Budget-tier output at 112.2 dB, four small 4-inch drivers, ported room dependency, and $145 price point.
Buy the Dayton Audio MKSX4. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $65.01 less than the PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT | Dayton Audio MKSX4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.99 | $144.98 Passive |
| Ranked | #8 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) | #14 of 48 in Small Home Subwoofers (Under 30 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported | ported, rear |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.7 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 93.5 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 99.6 dB | 84.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 105.7 dB | 101.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.4 dB | 112.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 115.0 dB | 116.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.3 dB | 118.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.3 dB | 112.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 9.8”W x 12.7”D (297.9 x 249.9 x 323.1 mm) | 16”H x 5.9”W x 14”D (406.4 x 149.9 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 16.3 lbs (7.4 kg) | 26.9 lbs (12.2 kg) |
| Warranty | 1 | 5 |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth | Brent Butterworth |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) driver | 4x 4” (102mm) driver |
| Country | China | United States |
| Passive | - | Yes |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT:
- Edifier T5s vs PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT
- PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT vs Klipsch Flexus Sub 100
- PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT vs Dayton Audio SUB-1000L
- Monoprice Premium Select 8in 200-Watt vs PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT
- Edifier T5s vs Dayton Audio MKSX4
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT: $209.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 77.7 dB at 20 Hz and 111.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported enclosure with an 8” driver suits a small room or desktop-adjacent setup.
Cons: Warranty is a below-average 1 year. The 297.9H x 249.9W x 323.1D mm cabinet and 7.4 kg mass still need deliberate placement.
Full PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 9.8”W x 12.7”D (297.9 x 249.9 x 323.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 77.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 93.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 99.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 105.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 109.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 115.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.3 dB |
| Warranty | 1 |
| Weight | 16.3 lbs (7.4 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
Dayton Audio MKSX4: $144.98 Passive Amazon eBay
Pros: Four 4-inch drivers in a low-profile (under 8-inch) cabinet deliver 106.2dB CEA-2010-A average, the best output-per-dollar of any passive subwoofer tested.
Cons: Budget-tier output at 112.2 dB, four small 4-inch drivers, ported room dependency, and $145 price point.
Notes: low profile (<8in)
Full Dayton Audio MKSX4 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 112.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 16”H x 5.9”W x 14”D (406.4 x 149.9 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 4” (102mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 84.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 101.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 116.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.3 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 26.9 lbs (12.2 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