Monoprice Monolith 15" THX Ultra Certified Ported 1000-Watt Powered Subwoofer

flippindocks

Jul 8, 2020 6:09 PM

1.5K Comments

Joined Dec 2016

flippindocksJul 8, 2020 6:09 PM

1.5K Comments

My Rythmik is a beast. Civil War movies and cannons.... just wow.

1

lSupaflyl

Jul 8, 2020 11:23 PM

209 Comments

Joined Aug 2010

lSupaflylJul 8, 2020 11:23 PM

209 Comments

Quote from fourml8r

:

this is actually a huge issue with the sub. i have tried to use it in several projector based installations and it is so tall that it blocks the screen. performance wise it is a good product, but the height often makes it unusable if placed at the front of the room when using a screen. and no one wants to hear the suggestion of "get a smaller screen", they all want the biggest screen that the room can fit.

keep an eye on the SVS outlet. they run many holiday deals on slightly blemished units and even brand new ones. many of the blemishes are in piano gloss finishes, which will get easily scratched anyway.

profit margin is generally a term for a company as a whole not for individual products, but i see your point in the "Margin" of manufacturing cost vs. selling price. it all depends on the company and if they build their own product or not. this sub is not built by monoprice, it is contract manufactured for them so the margin will generally be lower since there is an added layer of profit built in for the manufacturer.

I actually contacted Monoprice earlier this week and they said there are no issues with placing the sub on its side, so that will fix my issue personally. May not be feasible in a non-dedicated room, but this is probably way to big for a non-dedicated room anyway, no matter how big the room (I couldn't imagine it fitting aesthetically with any decor, haha)

2020hokie

Jul 9, 2020 1:15 AM

6 Comments

Joined Mar 2009

2020hokieJul 9, 2020 1:15 AM

6 Comments

I agree. I own this sub as well and it's tall. It's right at the bottom edge of my screen. Thinking of buying a second one of these as well, but since it's so tall I might do a DIY 18 instead. Still undecided.

Quote from lSupaflyl

:

Bought this sub last year. Best addition to my home theater, hands down. This sub alone used to cost more than all my speakers (7 floor and 4 ceiling mounted) combined. I have since upgraded my LCR, so no longer the case, but I was still happy with my low tier floor speakers and this beast. My only complaint is that it is tall and therefor hard to fit under a screen standing upright. I have it in a 2200 cuft room. I plan on buying a second one hopefully later this year or sometime next year rather than going the diy route.

1

2020hokie

Jul 9, 2020 1:19 AM

6 Comments

Joined Mar 2009

2020hokieJul 9, 2020 1:19 AM

6 Comments

I believe they only pay return shipping if it's defective, unless something has changed. Also it's too heavy for regular shipping so it had to be shipped freight. I got a quote to return mine from DC metro and it was $500+. Same for both UPS and Fedex

Quote from kervinthefrog

:

Does anyone know what Monoprice's return policy on these subs are? Bought 1, was going to wait until it arrives Friday to make sure I liked it before purchasing another but if return shipping is free I think I'll buy 2... Just don't want to be stuck paying return shipping on these massive items.

1

kervinthefrog

Jul 9, 2020 3:50 AM

31 Comments

Joined Mar 2007

kervinthefrogJul 9, 2020 3:50 AM

31 Comments

Quote from 2020hokie

:

I believe they only pay return shipping if it's defective, unless something has changed. Also it's too heavy for regular shipping so it had to be shipped freight. I got a quote to return mine from DC metro and it was $500+. Same for both UPS and Fedex

Makes sense, will wait then and hopefully the sale doesn't end before Friday.

roking888

Jul 9, 2020 4:00 AM

256 Comments

Joined Jul 2015

roking888Jul 9, 2020 4:00 AM

256 Comments

Quote from pootytang66

:

Boy, ya'll must be a bunch of rich mo-fo's to consider this a Slickdeal. I would jump on this in a heartbeat, but it's $1,100 above my budget for a sub 😂.

No this is for serious home theater in large living rooms. If its not your thing just move on, i think theres a sub $100 jamo sub on here somewhere for you

2

mardelden

Jul 9, 2020 7:49 AM

7 Comments

Joined Sep 2017

mardeldenJul 9, 2020 7:49 AM

7 Comments

Quote from sollyemmy

:

How does this compare to the other in my list? i have read a ton of reviews, suggestions etc etc on many forums but my research is still ongoing.

I am holding on till Thanksgiving for either Monoprice Monolith 15" THX or Rythmik FV15HP or HSU VTF-15H-MK2 or PSA V1512 or PSAV1812.

I know there are not a ton of deals on sub-woofers usually but i am strapped for cash at the moment and i can wait before purchasing anything as i am still looking for options to start my basement home theater setup from scratch as i do not have any piece of equipment as of now.

The order feel like to choose before making a decision.
Rythmik
HSU
Monolith
PSA

I bought Rythmik DIY kit and super happy about it!

1

MIX MASTER ICE

Jul 9, 2020 7:55 AM

5.3K Comments

Joined May 2007

MIX MASTER ICEJul 9, 2020 7:55 AM

5.3K Comments

Now this is a real man's sub.

sollyemmy

Jul 9, 2020 4:51 PM

184 Comments

Joined Dec 2014

sollyemmyJul 9, 2020 4:51 PM

184 Comments

Quote from mardelden

:

I bought Rythmik DIY kit and super happy about it!

how difficult it is to assemble it.. i am not a DIYer and dont own many tools.Appreciate your response

recon0321

Jul 9, 2020 5:07 PM

144 Comments

Joined Aug 2013

recon0321Jul 9, 2020 5:07 PM

144 Comments

Quote from Boss93

:

Thank you fo your inputs. I wonder how the vtf3 mk5 compares with vtf 15h and if it's worth the few hundred more or spend that money towards a second vtf3 mk5.

The only thing I fear going with hsu is I've never heard it in person before but I have a feeling it's going to be boomy instead of clean like the monolith. I do like boomy bass too but want a sub to do both. Boomy in movies and clean for music. Monolith 10 gives me the clean bass I'm looking for but the punch is missing in low-mid range.

I own the VTF-15H MK2 and owned the 12in prior. HSU subs and the word boomy don't reside in the same space. To be honest I've owned quite a few subs from audiosource, Klipsch, and JBL. HSU was my first true sub. This subs performance is almost unreal. Clean precise frequency response at low and high volumes, bass that you can feel without roll off and distortions. Once you go with a higher end sub, you'll never look back at a budget sub again!

1

aradia1989

Jul 9, 2020 5:59 PM

37 Comments

Joined Sep 2016

aradia1989Jul 9, 2020 5:59 PM

37 Comments

If I have a total pure open concept family room (kitchen + hallway + living room + dining room), I should probably go dual for sure right? Have full house audio 11 speakers scattered across with a 5.2 atmos setup in main room.

Am thinking dual VTF3.5 for value play - is going dual VTF15.2 or dual this or dual FVX15 worth it if we don't listen at reference levels anyway?

Not considering SVS because they are only good value plays in the 1000/2000 12" ranch and will need 2 15

I think the 27" height on this is the deal breaker as it's literally taller than the crate and barrel axis II couch...

Last edited by aradia1989 July 9, 2020 at 11:08 AM.

1

fourml8r

Pro

Jul 9, 2020 6:37 PM

9.4K Comments

Joined Jul 2005

fourml8r

Pro

Jul 9, 2020 6:37 PM

9.4K Comments

Quote from aradia1989

:

If I have a total pure open concept family room (kitchen + hallway + living room + dining room), I should probably go dual for sure right? Have full house audio 11 speakers scattered across with a 5.2 atmos setup in main room.

Am thinking dual VTF3.5 for value play - is going dual VTF15.2 or dual this or dual FVX15 worth it if we don't listen at reference levels anyway?

Not considering SVS because they are only good value plays in the 1000/2000 12" ranch and will need 2 15

I think the 27" height on this is the deal breaker as it's literally taller than the crate and barrel axis II couch...

there are advantages and disadvantages to going dual. sub manufacturers typically recommend dual since they get to sell 2 subs instead of 1. HSU, Monolith and SVS all make good subs, SVS is probably the better overall performance winner but are pricier, so not the budget friendliest option.

advantages: when properly set up more uniform coverage, less boomy / peaky response. more amplifier headroom. size - as you noted subs like these are tall due to driver size and ports, so smaller means more placement options (the other option is to consider a sealed sub vs a ported sub as they are smaller)

disadvantages: can be more challenging to set up correctly. going to dual smaller subs, typically means you will lose some response at the very bottom end.can be tricky in proper phase set up (depending on location)

1

aradia1989

Jul 9, 2020 7:00 PM

37 Comments

Joined Sep 2016

aradia1989Jul 9, 2020 7:00 PM

37 Comments

Quote from fourml8r

:

there are advantages and disadvantages to going dual. sub manufacturers typically recommend dual since they get to sell 2 subs instead of 1. HSU, Monolith and SVS all make good subs, SVS is probably the better overall performance winner but are pricier, so not the budget friendliest option.

advantages: when properly set up more uniform coverage, less boomy / peaky response. more amplifier headroom. size - as you noted subs like these are tall due to driver size and ports, so smaller means more placement options (the other option is to consider a sealed sub vs a ported sub as they are smaller)

disadvantages: can be more challenging to set up correctly. going to dual smaller subs, typically means you will lose some response at the very bottom end.can be tricky in proper phase set up (depending on location)

Thx - have have the Denon 4500 with audessey so that should help with duals. Mainly will be opposite corners for placement. Rythmik obviously has the best advantage with servo for musicality, but it's still a huge price difference on that vs the HSU 3.5

1

fourml8r

Pro

Jul 9, 2020 7:09 PM

9.4K Comments

Joined Jul 2005

fourml8r

Pro

Jul 9, 2020 7:09 PM

9.4K Comments

Quote from aradia1989

:

Thx - have have the Denon 4500 with audessey so that should help with duals. Mainly will be opposite corners for placement. Rythmik obviously has the best advantage with servo for musicality, but it's still a huge price difference on that vs the HSU 3.5

check the manual, if i recall you can only adjust the sub level and delay for each individual sub. you can't EQ the individual subs from the receiver.

1

Cha4me

Jul 10, 2020 12:31 AM

161 Comments

Joined Sep 2014

Cha4meJul 10, 2020 12:31 AM

161 Comments

Quote from duc135

:

Adding a second (same) sub placed where the frequencies are in phase (ie placed next to each other) will add 6dB of SPL headroom (will play louder). It will not improve the sound unless you were already pushing the single sub to it's limit.

Adding a second sub and placing them properly inside the room will yield improved sound quality because the second sub will help with smoothing out the frequency response over a wider listening area.

Sub frequencies are omni-directional. Adding a second sub will not yield wider, smoother dispersion. Properly implemented, you should not be able to pinpoint where the sub is located.

Agreed, many confuse louder as better.

Agree again. There are many factors in determining a good setup for sub(s). Whether you buy one or multiple, placement is key. Buying a sub and simply throwing it in a corner or hiding behind things is not often going to produce good results.

I somewhat disagree, because output is quite important for HT. Yes, bass sound qualities are important, but for a HT setup, you don't need the sub have the same qualities as for a 2 channel setup though most subs over a certain price point are more than capable for both. HT subs need to have high output at lower extensions. This is especially important for large rooms; being able to pressurized and fill the room will be difficult without a large or multiple drivers that can produce the needed output.

Last edited by Cha4me July 9, 2020 at 07:01 PM.

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Monoprice Monolith 15" THX Ultra Certified Ported 1000-Watt Powered Subwoofer

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