Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Sorry, this deal has expired. Get notified of deals like this in the future. Add Deal Alert for this Item
Frontpage

12" Monoprice SW-12 400W RMS Powered Subwoofer Speaker (Black) Expired

$180
$364.99
+ Free S&H
+39 Deal Score
14,791 Views
Amazon has 12" Monoprice SW-12 400W RMS Powered Subwoofer Speaker (Black) on sale for $179.99. Shipping is free.

Alternatively, Monoprice also has 12" Monoprice SW-12 400W RMS Powered Subwoofer Speaker (Black) on sale for $179.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Hunter LavenderGoat459 for finding this deal

Note, product must be sold/shipped by Amazon or Monoprice respectively.

Original Post

Written by
Edited July 15, 2026 at 01:26 PM by
Great deal on the Monoprice SW-12. Also available at Amazon.com

Former budget pick of Brent Butterworth at Wirecutter.com

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=41498

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Q74NX8D
If you purchase something through a post on our site, Slickdeals may get a small share of the sale.
Deal
Score
+39
14,791 Views
$180
$364.99
Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more. If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available.

Your comment cannot be blank.

Featured Comments

The Dayton only has 200 watts vs. 400 for the Monoprice, the Dayton uses spring clips instead of binding posts for speaker level connections, and is also made in China. The reviews on Monoprice don't mention a single amp failure, so I'm not seeing the benefit of the Dayton.
Get the Dayton CS1200 (improved legendary Sub-1200) for a little more and you have something that both sounds good and where you have a much higher chance of finding a replacement plate amp if it ever fails than with this disposable China sub. Nothing against mono as a company and I have some of their THX speakers which are awesome.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Jan 2016
New User
> bubble2 29 Posts
10 Reputation
k4ylr
07-16-2026 at 07:07 AM.
07-16-2026 at 07:07 AM.
Quote from DJ_Cat_Dad View quoted comment :
How would this do for a basic sound system?
More than adequate for your basic 2.1 or even 5.1. If this frees up some budget to get better speakers or take your 2.1 to 3.1 or even 5.1 it is a worthwhile trade off IMHO for all but the most discerning of HT enjoyers.
1
Reply
Joined Nov 2024
L1: Learner
> bubble2 22 Posts
10 Reputation
SmartFriction5417
07-16-2026 at 03:39 PM.
07-16-2026 at 03:39 PM.
Quote from CalmMitten9192 View quoted comment :
Get the Dayton CS1200 (improved legendary Sub-1200) for a little more and you have something that both sounds good and where you have a much higher chance of finding a replacement plate amp if it ever fails than with this disposable China sub. Nothing against mono as a company and I have some of their THX speakers which are awesome.
Monoprice actually sells there plate amps individually now
Reply
Joined May 2024
L3: Novice
> bubble2 156 Posts
34 Reputation
Curtitout
07-16-2026 at 08:12 PM.
07-16-2026 at 08:12 PM.
Quote from carbondeal View quoted comment :
For subs honestly what I found for theater at least you need a 15". Plus low end extension cheap subs like this just won't do. Max db output imo don't matter as much as low range and box tuning for 17Hz.
Yep, but honestly, for music to really have the slam that hits ya in the chest, 15" is needed also. I have 2-12's and when I turn on some music they start, but moments later the 15 kicks in and it's a whole different experience. BUT...budgets, get the best that fits.
Reply
Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-16-2026 at 09:25 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:25 PM.
Quote from supermanrob View quoted comment :

Good points.
IF the Dayton was a better choice "for a little more", that's around $60(on sale).

"For a little more" the RSL 10e might be the better choice.

If I recall, the RSL 10e is made in China also.
They all are and RSL is great and has excellent CS. 339 is a little higher price point than 229 or 180 tho but its a solid unit for sure.
1
Reply
Last edited by CalmMitten9192 July 16, 2026 at 09:49 PM.
Joined Jan 2007
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,101 Posts
203 Reputation
m6284505
07-16-2026 at 09:30 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:30 PM.
Quote from CalmMitten9192 View quoted comment :
Get the Dayton CS1200 (improved legendary Sub-1200) for a little more and you have something that both sounds good and where you have a much higher chance of finding a replacement plate amp if it ever fails than with this disposable China sub. Nothing against mono as a company and I have some of their THX speakers which are awesome.
I bought this sub and within 6 months the damn amp died and Monoprice offered NOTHING. I had to buy a replacement amp on my own and custom mount it. I'd never recommend this.
https://imgur.com/a/qI7hKEm
1
Reply
Last edited by m6284505 July 16, 2026 at 09:34 PM.
Joined Jan 2007
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,101 Posts
203 Reputation
m6284505
07-16-2026 at 09:31 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:31 PM.
Quote from AquaVolcano980 View quoted comment :
The Dayton only has 200 watts vs. 400 for the Monoprice, the Dayton uses spring clips instead of binding posts for speaker level connections, and is also made in China. The reviews on Monoprice don't mention a single amp failure, so I'm not seeing the benefit of the Dayton.
There are many reviews saying this amp fails, it also happened to me.
1
Reply
Joined Jan 2007
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,101 Posts
203 Reputation
m6284505
07-16-2026 at 09:33 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:33 PM.
Quote from SmartFriction5417 View quoted comment :
Monoprice actually sells there plate amps individually now
No shit? I actually emailed support asking for a new one and they said they didn't sell just the amp when mine died.
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-16-2026 at 09:36 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:36 PM.
Quote from TNFergus View quoted comment :
Customer service, for starters. But I wouldn't look on an OEM web site for reviews of a product. Who knows what may have been removed. The Amazon reviews are pretty bleak compared to the Dayton. For whatever that's worth.
Yes amazon revs talk of multiple DOA and the like from the cheap mono sub but if folks want to mess with that to save a little then that's a decision. PE has been great for me and I had an issue with a damaged component from shipping and they immediately shipped me new... and I kept the damaged one for a backup. That makes me recommend them. Mono has decent CS too IME but at least they used to make you send the whole thing back if you had an issue which is not really ideal with a sub. Plus some reporting multiple failures. Maybe it is different now. I have heard the THX subs have better amps now but for this cheap one who knows. Seems it is the same version? Amazon reviews in the 3's makes me think it's junk but if you get a good one then all good, like anything else.
Reply
Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-16-2026 at 09:44 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:44 PM.
Quote from m6284505 View quoted comment :
No shit? I actually emailed support asking for a new one and they said they didn't sell just the amp when mine died.
Could just be the THX..
Reply
Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-16-2026 at 09:47 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:47 PM.
Quote from ilovetofu View quoted comment :
Tempting price but the reviews regarding amp failures are concerning, so I'm reluctant to take a chance. Also, I don't know about the 12" Dayton but I bought an 8" one and couldn't use it for TV/movies because it powers off too quickly in "auto" mode if the receiver isn't constantly sending it a signal. I ended up using it with a stereo system for music, and it's fine for that.
Try upping the input level and/or using a splitter cable if it has stereo in.
Reply
Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-16-2026 at 09:50 PM.
07-16-2026 at 09:50 PM.
Quote from m6284505 View quoted comment :

I bought this sub and within 6 months the damn amp died and Monoprice offered NOTHING. I had to buy a replacement amp on my own and custom mount it. I'd never recommend this.
https://imgur.com/a/qI7hKEm
Damn, didn't even honor the one year warranty??
Reply
Joined Jul 2010
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 13,338 Posts
1,503 Reputation
supermanrob
07-17-2026 at 09:30 AM.
07-17-2026 at 09:30 AM.
Quote from CalmMitten9192 View quoted comment :
They all are and RSL is great and has excellent CS. 339 is a little higher price point than 229 or 180 tho but its a solid unit for sure.
Well then for a little more than $339, look at the 10s.
For a little more than that look at the 12s.

Keep in mind every brand has a failure rate & warranty window(this is 1yr for defects).
As you mentioned,if you do get a good one of these,that's pretty good performance for $180, at least ol Brent thought so.
1
Reply
Last edited by supermanrob July 17, 2026 at 09:40 AM.
Joined Oct 2020
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,778 Posts
102 Reputation
CalmMitten9192
07-17-2026 at 10:39 AM.
07-17-2026 at 10:39 AM.
Quote from supermanrob View quoted comment :

Well then for a little more than $339, look at the 10s.
For a little more than that look at the 12s.

Keep in mind every brand has a failure rate & warranty window(this is 1yr for defects).
As you mentioned,if you do get a good one of these,that's pretty good performance for $180, at least ol Brent thought so.
My point being that 229 is close to the price point of 180 so consider that one too, whereas 339 is almost twice as much as 180 so why I didn't mention that unit which belongs in a different price tier.

If you are in the 300ish tier though then agreed 10E is the one to get for sure, and then so on up from there.

10S at 400.

12s at 700 sometimes (if you don't mind it being the size of a mini fridge haha). Starke is another option to consider and you can get a ported 15 for less which is nuts.

Some good options at a G like HSU and so on.

All can have failures but the ID brands and parts express will go out of their way to help you whereas Monoprice it is on their terms and sometimes results can be mixed. It wasn't for me when I had an issue TBF but I did have to send the whole speaker back. Wouldn't have been cool if it was a 15 inch sub. ID brands or PE likely will just send you a new plate amp if it is available and go out of their way to help you if they can. It's just on a completely different tier of CS.
1
Reply
Last edited by CalmMitten9192 July 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM.
Joined Jul 2010
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 13,338 Posts
1,503 Reputation
supermanrob
07-17-2026 at 12:38 PM.
07-17-2026 at 12:38 PM.
Quote from CalmMitten9192 View quoted comment :
My point being that 229 is close to the price point of 180 so consider that one too, whereas 339 is almost twice as much as 180 so why I didn't mention that unit which belongs in a different price tier.If you are in the 300ish tier though then agreed 10E is the one to get for sure, and then so on up from there.10S at 400.12s at 700 sometimes (if you don't mind it being the size of a mini fridge haha). Starke is another option to consider and you can get a ported 15 for less which is nuts. Some good options at a G like HSU and so on.All can have failures but the ID brands and parts express will go out of their way to help you whereas Monoprice it is on their terms and sometimes results can be mixed. It wasn't for me when I had an issue TBF but I did have to send the whole speaker back. Wouldn't have been cool if it was a 15 inch sub. ID brands or PE likely will just send you a new plate amp if it is available and go out of their way to help you if they can. It's just on a completely different tier of CS.
My point being there is always something better of "the price point" for a price. Whether it's worth the cost is completely subjective & personal. There is no universal "best" price to performance ratio! Once you get to around $700 and up.They are all pretty much good, becomes more a preference at that point ime.

Yes all those other "perks" come at a cost also.
Again whether it's worth it is a personal choice.
I'll point to SVS since people like to point to them because they cost more.
Their CS is arguably one of the best.
Their trade up program, try doing that with another brand.
I had the option recently with my dual SB3000 way after a year!
Would have but was offered more from a private sale.
Went to their new SB3000 Revolution series.
Whole new redesign and it's significant/impressive ime!
That's saying a lot from the prior model!

The auto EQ for them is pretty useful imo.
Think of what D-ART does with subwoofer(s) into your environment/room.
Especially if you only have Dirac Live!

If those perks aren't helpful, yes plenty of other good ones that cost less.
3
Reply
Last edited by supermanrob July 17, 2026 at 02:15 PM.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined May 2017
Cpgeek.org
> bubble2 241 Posts
30 Reputation
cpgeek
07-17-2026 at 08:35 PM.
07-17-2026 at 08:35 PM.
Quote from AquaVolcano980 View quoted comment :
The Dayton only has 200 watts vs. 400 for the Monoprice, the Dayton uses spring clips instead of binding posts for speaker level connections, and is also made in China. The reviews on Monoprice don't mention a single amp failure, so I'm not seeing the benefit of the Dayton.
I have heard from others that monoprice "curates" their user reviews quite a bit... ugh. there are lots of off-site reviews of amp failures.
Reply
Page 2 of 3
Start the Conversation
 

More Amazon Deals

More Monoprice Deals

Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.