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expiredLedynnek posted Jul 7, 2020 4:28 AM

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

$1,200

$1,340

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Monoprice.com has Monoprice Monolith 15" THX Ultra Certified Ported 1000-Watt Powered Subwoofer on sale for $1,199.99. Shipping is free. Thanks Ledynnek

Note: Subwoofer is outfitted with three ports that can utilize foam plugs to run in a sealed mode.

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
THX Certified Ultra products are for large sized rooms, up to 3,000 cubic feet in size, with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen. -StrawMan86

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Written by Ledynnek
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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Monoprice.com has Monoprice Monolith 15" THX Ultra Certified Ported 1000-Watt Powered Subwoofer on sale for $1,199.99. Shipping is free. Thanks Ledynnek

Note: Subwoofer is outfitted with three ports that can utilize foam plugs to run in a sealed mode.

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
THX Certified Ultra products are for large sized rooms, up to 3,000 cubic feet in size, with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen. -StrawMan86

Original Post

Written by Ledynnek

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Jul 10, 2020 2:00 AM
627 Comments
Joined Sep 2011
duc135Jul 10, 2020 2:00 AM
627 Comments
Quote from supermanrob :
So like I mentioned depends who you ask. For me there are inconsistencies here, for instance.

Saying adding a 2nd sub "will add 6dB of SPL headroom (will play louder)" and that it "will not improve the sound unless" then you agree with me and say " Agreed, many confuse louder as better"

Then a 2nd sub would yield better "sound quality" because it "will help with smoothing out the frequency response over a wider listening area." Then you say "Adding a second sub will not yield wider, smoother dispersion"

Anyways I think we're we differ is how we define "sound quality".
For me improving sound quality would be better accuracy,detail,articulation, going lower.
A 2nd sub doesn't add any of that, it just spreads(dispersion) that frequency over a wider listening area(smooths out).

The great thing is this is all subjective so there is no universal right or wrong here.
Actually, what I said is factual and not subjective. Do not take bit and pieces of what I wrote. Adding a second similar sub placed where the two are located in exact phase with each other will do nothing to improve sound quality unless the single sub was being pushed to distortion. All adding a second sub will do in this case will increase SPL capabilities by 6dB (3dB for doubling of displacement + 3dB for doubling of power). Just because louder is confused with better SQ doesn't make it true.

It appears that we both define SQ similarly. Simply adding a second sub in the situation I mentioned above will not improve SQ. It must be integrated properly so that the resultant frequency response is actually improved. That is where the true SQ comes from. Not from simply adding SPL headroom.

Dispersion and frequency response are not the same thing. Dispersion is how wide of an angle the speaker can transmit the sound before the sound is no longer the same as sitting directly in front of it. You will see dispersion measurements for speakers, but not for subwoofers. The frequencies coming out of subwoofers are omni-directional. There is no dispersion patterns for those frequencies.

Sound quality from a technical standpoint (measurements) are not subjective. How we perceive them, however, is. So we can measure the output of speakers and subs and definitely say which is the better measurements, we cannot say what is better to each individual listener.

Most people will prefer what measures better once they have grown accustomed to it. What I mean by that is if we had a person who loved boomy, sloppy bass and let him listen to a properly set up system, he may not like it as first because the bass may not be as pronounced. Give him a few weeks to get accustomed to it and he will, more likely than not, not want to go back to the boomy, sloppy bass he had before.


Quote from Cha4me :
I somewhat disagree, because output is quiet 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. 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.
I never stated output is not important to HT. I merely stated adding a 2nd sub, placed in such a manner that they are in perfect phase with each other (as in next to each other) will do nothing to improve SQ unless the first sub was already playing at its limit. All adding a 2nd sub will do is increase SPL headroom by 6dB if they are identical subs. So if you're saying 1 sub was insufficient to fill a room then yes, adding a 2nd sub will increase SQ since most likely, the 1st is clipping if you were trying to fill too big a room.

Don't confuse louder for better SQ. Louder is just louder and that's just a preference. It may sound better to someone, but there is a difference between measurable SQ improvements vs. it's louder therefore it sounds better to me.
1
Jul 10, 2020 1:19 PM
556 Comments
Joined Aug 2014
Boss93Jul 10, 2020 1:19 PM
556 Comments
I have looked at this thread for 3 days and still can't decide between this or hsu 15h lol
Jul 10, 2020 11:57 PM
87 Comments
Joined Jun 2009
TommygagsJul 10, 2020 11:57 PM
87 Comments
I have a elemental designs 13av.2 laying around from back in the day. Would it be worth buying an amp for that and building a new box for HT or still wouldn't even compare to this?
Jul 11, 2020 1:42 AM
3.6K Comments
Joined Apr 2006
samsenJul 11, 2020 1:42 AM
3.6K Comments
Maybe I don't know enough about this deal but for sure, I know Momoprice is in the business of introducing only Good stuff at a Great price but do these really have to be this expensive? This price is more than an entire similar 7.1 or better system of the speakers, I last bought from Bose some ten years back!
1
Jul 11, 2020 2:00 AM
3.6K Comments
Joined Apr 2006
samsenJul 11, 2020 2:00 AM
3.6K Comments
I love bass and this thing is growing on me!!!
Can anyone give me an opinion of this vs the deal? And yes I know my suggestion is 400 W, 12" but comes only at less than a quarter price of this and definitely in my opinion with a better brand name.
What will miss with this one? I tried it at Wearhouse and my bones did feel the sound adequately well that I am convinced it should serve me well and surely creates more enemies among my neighbors.

https://www.costco.com/klipsch-r-...26745.html
Jul 11, 2020 3:33 AM
256 Comments
Joined Jul 2015
roking888Jul 11, 2020 3:33 AM
256 Comments
Quote from samsen :
Maybe I don't know enough about this deal but for sure, I know Momoprice is in the business of introducing only Good stuff at a Great price but do these really have to be this expensive? This price is more than an entire similar 7.1 or better system of the speakers, I last bought from Bose some ten years back!
Yeah but that was trash, sorry. Don't get us started on Bose. This sub weighs likely double what your entire Bose 7.1 system. Don't even dare try comparing sub to sub, this will make the Bose "sub" look like a bookshelf speaker, no joke.

This is for serious home theater, and BIG rooms, upwards of 5000 cubic feet. I have the Monolith 12" ported for a 3100 cubic foot room, and it does well, still wish I had a second one though....

Bose and home theater don't at all go together, even in the 90's it was a stretch. Just sayin'
Jul 11, 2020 3:59 AM
627 Comments
Joined Sep 2011
duc135Jul 11, 2020 3:59 AM
627 Comments
Quote from samsen :
Maybe I don't know enough about this deal but for sure, I know Momoprice is in the business of introducing only Good stuff at a Great price but do these really have to be this expensive? This price is more than an entire similar 7.1 or better system of the speakers, I last bought from Bose some ten years back!
This is what happens when you start getting in to real HT. Bose has a market they target and do well in. Each person will have his or her requirements and expectations. It's like the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

When you are watching a movie, you want to be make the experience as real as possible so that you are drawn into what's happening on the screen. A good audio setup will do that. In action movies having a capable sub will not only allow you to hear, but feel the impact of punches, gunshots, explosions, etc. In horror movies, sub frequencies are used quite often to add suspense.


Quote from samsen :
I love bass and this thing is growing on me!!!
Can anyone give me an opinion of this vs the deal? And yes I know my suggestion is 400 W, 12" but comes only at less than a quarter price of this and definitely in my opinion with a better brand name.
What will miss with this one? I tried it at Wearhouse and my bones did feel the sound adequately well that I am convinced it should serve me well and surely creates more enemies among my neighbors.

https://www.costco.com/klipsch-r-...26745.html
Klipsch is only a better brand name because they have a longer history in the audio world and have good marketing. The Klipsch is a toy compared to these Monolith subs. I have heard them in an in-home demo and these are no joke. The 12" Klipsch would not even compare to the Monolith 10" subs.

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Jul 11, 2020 10:32 PM
13.1K Comments
Joined Jul 2010
supermanrobJul 11, 2020 10:32 PM
13.1K Comments
Quote from duc135 :
Actually, what I said is factual and not subjective. Do not take bit and pieces of what I wrote. Adding a second similar sub placed where the two are located in exact phase with each other will do nothing to improve sound quality unless the single sub was being pushed to distortion. All adding a second sub will do in this case will increase SPL capabilities by 6dB (3dB for doubling of displacement + 3dB for doubling of power). Just because louder is confused with better SQ doesn't make it true.

It appears that we both define SQ similarly. Simply adding a second sub in the situation I mentioned above will not improve SQ. It must be integrated properly so that the resultant frequency response is actually improved. That is where the true SQ comes from. Not from simply adding SPL headroom.

Dispersion and frequency response are not the same thing. Dispersion is how wide of an angle the speaker can transmit the sound before the sound is no longer the same as sitting directly in front of it. You will see dispersion measurements for speakers, but not for subwoofers. The frequencies coming out of subwoofers are omni-directional. There is no dispersion patterns for those frequencies.

Sound quality from a technical standpoint (measurements) are not subjective. How we perceive them, however, is. So we can measure the output of speakers and subs and definitely say which is the better measurements, we cannot say what is better to each individual listener.

Most people will prefer what measures better once they have grown accustomed to it. What I mean by that is if we had a person who loved boomy, sloppy bass and let him listen to a properly set up system, he may not like it as first because the bass may not be as pronounced. Give him a few weeks to get accustomed to it and he will, more likely than not, not want to go back to the boomy, sloppy bass he had before.




I never stated output is not important to HT. I merely stated adding a 2nd sub, placed in such a manner that they are in perfect phase with each other (as in next to each other) will do nothing to improve SQ unless the first sub was already playing at its limit. All adding a 2nd sub will do is increase SPL headroom by 6dB if they are identical subs. So if you're saying 1 sub was insufficient to fill a room then yes, adding a 2nd sub will increase SQ since most likely, the 1st is clipping if you were trying to fill too big a room.

Don't confuse louder for better SQ. Louder is just louder and that's just a preference. It may sound better to someone, but there is a difference between measurable SQ improvements vs. it's louder therefore it sounds better to me.
So 1st of all I actually didn't take "bit and pieces of what I wrote", I went strictly based I what you wrote. When you use the word "unless" in that sentence which you did again here, "factually" that means at some point it could "improve sound quality" regardless of what that 1st sub is doing.

We still don't define SQ similarly because you said "resultant frequency response is actually improved. That is where the true SQ comes from".
For me as I stated better SQ is improving "better accuracy,detail,articulation", going lower", two different things.

We will have to agree to disagree on the frequency vs dispersion. My point was, in layman's terms the sub's sweet spot sound is dispersed to wider area(made larger) by adding a 2nd sub, it does not improve the sound.

My problem with "technical standpoint (measurements)" is you say "definitely say which is the better measurements". Better based on who's standard? If it's based on some "measurements" that means you should actually be able to make a list of speakers from great to bad based on these "measurements".

When that argument is made I will sometimes ask for this list and of course it's in sarcasm because no one has taken the time to do it.
The main reason as you and I know is because, how did you put it "How we perceive them, however, is"
I get some people just need to see physical proof there speakers are "better", believe me I use to drink that water also.

I saw the light long ago from a salesman, turned good friend, who is no longer with us(RIP) who got me to understand that those "measurements" is 1 of 1000 other things that going into finding out what sounds good to each of us.
He got me to understand that sound is about the easiest thing to justify.
Ive been doing this for many years and TBH I have listened to many speakers that "measure" well and thought meh and some that didn't(as well) and I thought wow that's pretty good.
Even the people that go by these measurements do the same, they just justify away the reasons why that happened. If they say they don't they are lying, remember I drank that water also.

You point this out perfectly when you said "Most people will prefer what measures better once they have grown accustomed to it". You see that train of thought(influence) in here(and everywhere) all the time.
If you keep "reading" or told in colorful/convincing words something is better, does it make it true?
The problem with your analogy it's based on "measurements" again. Throw in the other 999 subjective points, now is it better?

There is always something better to all of us, does that mean "ignorance is bliss" to all of us also?

Even when you read all those "measurements",specs, colorful opinions they almost always end with that you ultimately have to listen for yourself!

IMO all we do by reading is influence ourselves into believing what we want to or what someone is telling us is "better"
2
Jul 12, 2020 9:10 AM
627 Comments
Joined Sep 2011
duc135Jul 12, 2020 9:10 AM
627 Comments
Quote from supermanrob :
So 1st of all I actually didn't take "bit and pieces of what I wrote", I went strictly based I what you wrote. When you use the word "unless" in that sentence which you did again here, "factually" that means at some point it could "improve sound quality" regardless of what that 1st sub is doing.
Omitting the "unless" part when quoting or addressing a statement IS indeed taking bits and pieces.

No minors under the age of 18 allowed unless accompanied by an adult.
No minors under the age of 18 allowed.

See how the two statements are different when I omit the "unless" part?

Please state the part of my full statement that is not a fact. Adding a second identical sub placed next to the first will do nothing to SQ unless (<-- that is a key part) the first sub was already playing at its limit and was clipping. It will only provide +6dB of SPL headroom. That is fact and science. There is nothing that cannot be proven or debated about in that statement. Does a sub with 2 drivers sound better than a sub with a single driver at the same volume? Of course not. Why? Because science (that can be proven with measurements) tells us that two subs in the same place will only play louder than one sub regardless if they are in a single enclosure or two separate enclosures.

Improvements to SQ by adding a 2nd sub will only happen with proper placement of the second sub in such a manner that it provide a smoother frequency response at the listening positions. And how would you know if the second sub is doing that? You guessed it, through measurements.


Quote from supermanrob :
We still don't define SQ similarly because you said "resultant frequency response is actually improved. That is where the true SQ comes from".
For me as I stated better SQ is improving "better accuracy,detail,articulation", going lower", two different things.
Guess what a smoother frequency response yields? That's right, better accuracy, detail and articulation. Going lower may or may not be improved depending on setup, but yes, that would also qualify as improved SQ. So yes, we do agree in the definition of SQ. You just don't seem to accept that to get improved SQ that you need to improve a smooth frequency response. Caveat is when people prefer to have a emphasis on specific frequencies, which is what EQs are for.


Quote from supermanrob :
We will have to agree to disagree on the frequency vs dispersion. My point was, in layman's terms the sub's sweet spot sound is dispersed to wider area(made larger) by adding a 2nd sub, it does not improve the sound.
The problem is that you use the term dispersion incorrectly in this discussion. Speaker dispersion is a very specific characteristic of speakers and can be measured (see the pattern here?). It is more important in the upper frequencies because upper frequency wavelengths are very short. That is why you will see waveguides on the tweeters to control the directivity or dispersion pattern of the tweeter.

What you are talking about is improving the frequency response to a larger area. In a speaker (non-subwoofer), the dispersion pattern will determine how big of a sweet spot you will have. Narrow dispersion patterns will have smaller sweet spots opposed to a speaker with a larger dispersion pattern. This measurement (there's that darned word again) is sometime provided by the speaker manufacturer or speaker review sites. This measurement is not provided for subs because sub frequencies are omni-directional. There is no dispersion pattern. With subwoofers, the major determining factor of frequency response would be the room and the placement of the sub in the room.

If you wish to continue using the term dispersion to describe subwoofer frequency response over a given area then I will accommodate you and use that term as well in quotes.


Quote from supermanrob :
My problem with "technical standpoint (measurements)" is you say "definitely say which is the better measurements". Better based on who's standard? If it's based on some "measurements" that means you should actually be able to make a list of speakers from great to bad based on these "measurements".

When that argument is made I will sometimes ask for this list and of course it's in sarcasm because no one has taken the time to do it.
The main reason as you and I know is because, how did you put it "How we perceive them, however, is"
I get some people just need to see physical proof there speakers are "better", believe me I use to drink that water also.

I saw the light long ago from a salesman, turned good friend, who is no longer with us(RIP) who got me to understand that those "measurements" is 1 of 1000 other things that going into finding out what sounds good to each of us.
He got me to understand that sound is about the easiest thing to justify.
Ive been doing this for many years and TBH I have listened to many speakers that "measure" well and thought meh and some that didn't(as well) and I thought wow that's pretty good.
Even the people that go by these measurements do the same, they just justify away the reasons why that happened. If they say they don't they are lying, remember I drank that water also.
So you seem to have a disdain for measurements. So tell me how do you tell if adding a second sub to your system that you improved the "dispersion"? Do you just guess? You have to have some way of determining this right? I'm assuming you measured it. Do you use any type of room correction? If so, guess what, your room correction software is taking, that's right, measurements.

What do I base that standard on? I base it on the standard that most manufacturers and eminent people in the audio industry seem to agree on. That is, a smooth frequency response is more desirable than a frequency response that looks like a jagged mountain range. Is frequency response and other measurements the end all and be all? Of course not. I never claimed it was. I only stated that measurements are important and can tell you if what you are doing to your system is helping or not. Without measurements, you're just taking shots in the dark.


Quote from supermanrob :
There is always something better to all of us, does that mean "ignorance is bliss" to all of us also?
Yes, "ignorance is bliss" applies to all of us if we are already happy with what we have and do not know any better. If we knew there was better to be had that wouldn't qualify as being ignorant would it?


Quote from supermanrob :
You point this out perfectly when you said "Most people will prefer what measures better once they have grown accustomed to it". You see that train of thought(influence) in here(and everywhere) all the time.
If you keep "reading" or told in colorful/convincing words something is better, does it make it true?
The problem with your analogy it's based on "measurements" again. Throw in the other 999 subjective points, now is it better?
Not sure what you have against measurements. Apparently you agree that a smoother frequency response, oops my mistake, "dispersion" is better. Yet, when I say it measures better you are now against it. If people did not prefer better "dispersion" they would have gone back to their peaky "dispersion", and this does not happen for the most part.

Why do you think people who care about sound and video quality pay thousands of dollars for professionals to calibrate their audio and video systems? What do you think these calibrators do? Guess what? They bring in measuring equipment to calibrate the system to an industry accepted standard. If this wasn't adding benefits then these hack professionals would be out of business sooner rather than later.

Maybe you hear that here and everywhere else all the time is perhaps it might be true? Not everything is a conspiracy to make people think the same. People can choose to try it and go back to whatever it is they had before if that's their preference.

I'm not here to force people to do anything. I just prefer to educate people on how to get the most out of their investment or make an educated decision. I'm sure that is the same as your intention. We both provide our arguments and let the readers decide whose advice they wish to follow.
Jul 12, 2020 9:57 AM
158 Comments
Joined Mar 2012
norcalhusslaJul 12, 2020 9:57 AM
158 Comments
Eh bruh dis shiiih slap like the w7s in mah whip
Jul 12, 2020 10:12 AM
627 Comments
Joined Sep 2011
duc135Jul 12, 2020 10:12 AM
627 Comments
Quote from norcalhussla :
Eh bruh dis shiiih slap like the w7s in mah whip
Not sure what you're even saying or if you're being sarcastic, but I'm assuming you're talking about the JL Audio W7 series. You can buy at least 4 of these for one 13W7 (largest JL makes). 4x18" is much better than 1x13.5".
1
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This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
Jul 12, 2020 10:30 AM
690 Comments
Joined Dec 2014
majaym
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This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
Jul 12, 2020 10:30 AM
690 Comments
Quote from supermanrob :
So 1st of all I actually didn't take "bit and pieces of what I wrote", I went strictly based I what you wrote. When you use the word "unless" in that sentence which you did again here, "factually" that means at some point it could "improve sound quality" regardless of what that 1st sub is doing.

We still don't define SQ similarly because you said "resultant frequency response is actually improved. That is where the true SQ comes from".
For me as I stated better SQ is improving "better accuracy,detail,articulation", going lower", two different things.

We will have to agree to disagree on the frequency vs dispersion. My point was, in layman's terms the sub's sweet spot sound is dispersed to wider area(made larger) by adding a 2nd sub, it does not improve the sound.

My problem with "technical standpoint (measurements)" is you say "definitely say which is the better measurements". Better based on who's standard? If it's based on some "measurements" that means you should actually be able to make a list of speakers from great to bad based on these "measurements".

When that argument is made I will sometimes ask for this list and of course it's in sarcasm because no one has taken the time to do it.
The main reason as you and I know is because, how did you put it "How we perceive them, however, is"
I get some people just need to see physical proof there speakers are "better", believe me I use to drink that water also.

I saw the light long ago from a salesman, turned good friend, who is no longer with us(RIP) who got me to understand that those "measurements" is 1 of 1000 other things that going into finding out what sounds good to each of us.
He got me to understand that sound is about the easiest thing to justify.
Ive been doing this for many years and TBH I have listened to many speakers that "measure" well and thought meh and some that didn't(as well) and I thought wow that's pretty good.
Even the people that go by these measurements do the same, they just justify away the reasons why that happened. If they say they don't they are lying, remember I drank that water also.

You point this out perfectly when you said "Most people will prefer what measures better once they have grown accustomed to it". You see that train of thought(influence) in here(and everywhere) all the time.
If you keep "reading" or told in colorful/convincing words something is better, does it make it true?
The problem with your analogy it's based on "measurements" again. Throw in the other 999 subjective points, now is it better?

There is always something better to all of us, does that mean "ignorance is bliss" to all of us also?

Even when you read all those "measurements",specs, colorful opinions they almost always end with that you ultimately have to listen for yourself!

IMO all we do by reading is influence ourselves into believing what we want to or what someone is telling us is "better"
Hi Rob,
I have a 2000 cu ft room with a monolith 12" sub. Do you think adding this 15" or replacing the 12" with this 15" will make a considerable/noticeable difference in sound quality(not output level). The 12" is already able to pressurize the room well enough while using for HT/music(I had returned a PB2K for this 12 inch as I liked the M12 better). Would love to get your thoughts
1
Jul 12, 2020 6:44 PM
69 Comments
Joined Aug 2013
nfs2192Jul 12, 2020 6:44 PM
69 Comments
Quote from karlmork :
Any good resource out there to find out how much cubic feet a subwoofer will reliably fill? My house is open concept with a loft and the space where I currently have my home theater is in that open space.
r/hometheater is where I go
Jul 12, 2020 6:44 PM
37 Comments
Joined Sep 2016
aradia1989Jul 12, 2020 6:44 PM
37 Comments
Quote from Boss93 :
I have looked at this thread for 3 days and still can't decide between this or hsu 15h lol
Jesus same here man... sigh.. psa1512 is out for you though right?

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Jul 12, 2020 7:07 PM
556 Comments
Joined Aug 2014
Boss93Jul 12, 2020 7:07 PM
556 Comments
Quote from aradia1989 :
Jesus same here man... sigh.. psa1512 is out for you though right?
Yeah bro I haven't gave psa any thought. I love the tight bass SVS produces but the ones I want are well out of my price range. Right now it's between HSU VTF3 MK5 or 15H, Rythmik, or Monolith 15. I have a monolith 10 and I love how clean it is. Just looking for more punch in the lower and mid end

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