Monoprice makes three similar subwoofers with different sized speakers. This is a review for the Monoprice SSW-12 with the 12 inch driver.

The first question everyone asks is- is it loud? Yes, it's loud, and it produces very low frequencies. They claim a frequency response down to 20hz, and though I didn't pull out my audio analyzer I don't doubt it can achieve that.

What does it come with? The sub, of course, wall mounting brackets (don't try and lift the speaker by these as they're slide on, slide off) and drilling template, a floor stand, manual, and a set of RCA to RCA cables.

How's the sound quality? Here is where it starts to show some weakness, even if you take the time to carefully tune the roll-off on the crossover. The sound quality isn't bad, but it isn't stellar, either. It's a bit boomy, and not terribly precise. If you're looking for seat rumbling SFX on movie night you'll probably love it. If you're looking for rump shaking bass for hip-hop you'll probably like it. If you're looking for tight, controlled, accurate bass for orchestral music or blues you'll probably be a bit disappointed. I've heard it's difficult to get good bass in a flat-ish, limited space sub, but I know it's possible because Yamaha used to produce a (now, sadly, discontinued) wonderful little sub in the same price range that produced incredibly realistic bass, although it didn't go down to 20hz.

Still, because of my space limitations I was planning on keeping the Monoprice SSW-12 if it wasn't for one annoying habit. Like most subs it's designed to turn itself on in the presence of a signal. Unfortunately, it would turn itself on at random with a little 'thud' several times an hour even when the audio system was off. So, unfortunately, I decided to send it back. I'm not sure why auto on and off is such a problem for speaker designers. I've got a Harman Kardon sound bar that requires a ridiculous volume level to turn on, and literally turns itself off if there's a long quiet scene in a movie. Then there's this, which apparently turns on with the slightest electrical anomaly. I wish somebody would get it right.

In summary, if you want low, low, low- lows, and you can live with them being a bit sloppy, and can also live with it reminding you it's there two or three times an hour when your system is off, you'll probably like it. If not, then keep looking.

OK, you can't expect too much from a low-profile sub like this. But just for reference, a ported enclosure should give about a 3db gain vs a sealed enclosure, all other things being equal. That's equivalent to using an amplifier of twice the power in watts. Anyhow, I bought two of these and they don't equal the single sealed velodyne 12" unit I am replacing (at 1/4 the total power of these two subs - 80 watts, BTW). At four times the power, double the woofers, plus a bass reflex design, these things should be at least the equal of my velodyne in terms of loudness, but they're not even close. Nor do they respond nearly as low, frequency-wise, despite their claims otherwise. These things are mid-bass machines. I literally get louder and lower frequency output from my front main speakers, which sort of defeats the purpose. anything below about 35Hz, while it does play, it's so quiet that it disappears into the room. if I try to turn up the gain enough to hear low frequencies, they just distort so badly that the music or movie track is no longer heard. No bueno guys - try harder. you need more power (or a more sensitive driver) and a longer port on your bass reflex design.

The red and white audio cables are longer than the nubbins that the unit is supposed to rest on so the entire unit ends up resting on the kinked up 45 degree angle of the red & white cables and NOT the nubbins! Doh! It seems like a potential fire hazard, or if nothing else a great way to wear out those cables. The nubbins need to be larger or the cables should be somewhere else, like along the back.

I first bought the 10inch after reading a lot of reviews on audiophile forums. The 10inch is amazing. very smooth and not “boomy,” but it overpowered the room.

Switched to the 8inch. Very impressed. Also amazing and just right for a 12ft away distance. Good natural bass with very smooth sound. Not cheap or hollow sounding at all. Very impressed.

Much better than the ELAC, definitive tech, klipsch and Sony I tried for much higher cost. Bonus is it is wall mountable behind tv cabinet. Very good design.

I purchased this item from the Amazon Warehouse and it was supposed to have a few dings but actually had major damage. The product itself is quite good, however. Keep in mind this at the time of this writing is the largest of these flat subs and although low, it’s footprint is quite large. Ensure your measurements work.
The sound is large and it will do its job commensurate to its price or probably 40% more. There are no miracles in this price range but it digs reasonably deep and produces convincing bass for movies. Music adds heft although not as much punch. Great product overall and value, but don’t expect the highest sonic quality and you will be satisfied.

So, let's be realistic. This is a 200 dollar low profile sub. This is not going to shake things off the wall. (That's what my HSU VTF-15H is for, best home theater sub for the money.) I have a set of M-Audio 2.1 powered speakers for my computer setup and it was lacking on the low end. This sub helps fill in the void and it does so without taking up a lot of real estate. (Currently set up vertically, using the stands provided.) Acoustically, it's not perfect, but I still have some adjustments to make and give the speaker a bit more burn-in time. I really wanted the Monoprice THX 10" sub, but just couldn't justify the additional 300 bucks for the existing setup. As of now, I'm pleased with the sound and will be happier as I build my eq profiles. I would recommend this for anyone who has a small setup.

using the speaker frequency response tests on Utube, I get some low freq. at 34 hz , levels off from 45 - 65 hz, peaks at 80 - 100, no real ' low freq. output below 40 which is modern movie soundtrack bang and boom. low E on electric bass is I think 42hz so this model is better for that. I expect a bit better after a dozen hrs of playing but it is what it is. My 'bookshelf' KEF Q 350's go 10 hz lower that is the initial low vol. level buzz is at 24 hz, 40 hz is near mid level.

bon desing, joue tres bien tout marche comme il se doit, pas le plus puissant mais fait sa job les cadre reste sur les murs mais ça déplace de l'air qu'à d même, parfait pour complémenter

le desing low profile est vraiment parfait facile a placer hors de vue même le monte accrocher sur un mur les attaché vienne avec le subwoofer

recommande a tout ceux qui cherche une adition a leur système, beau très bon et pas chère

Okay for a lower powered setup but couldn't keep up with my svs 1000s
the power cord is way too short (3ft) to be fit under a sofa and it makes a slight hum when turned on
Wound up returning it to build my own

Makes my room shake. Had to turn down so I could hear the wife

Bought 2 for home theater use(couldn't fit a regular sub into my system) accurate enough and good home theater thump.