In order to have a great home theater setup, you need a good subwoofer, and to that end, Monoprice is offering up two that provide more power and low-end bass response than most home theater enthusiasts could possibly hope for.
The two Monolith subwoofers are offered in compact 13-inch and large 16-inch sizes. Let’s take a look at what they offer.
What Both Subwoofers Have in Common
THX Ultra Certification: This means that these subwoofers have been submitted and passed THX standards for application and performance.
Lots of Power Output: 2,000-watt (RMS)/3,800-watt (Peak) Class D amplifier with DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
Driver Design: A newly developed high-excursion driver capable of handling the above-mentioned power output without distortion.
Flexible Port Design: The ports can be used in an open, semi-sealed, sealed setup.
Cabinet Design and Finish: Sleek rounded-edge enclosures with a gray oak finish.
Digging Deeper – 13-inch THX Monolith Subwoofer
Product Number: 41496 (13-inch model)
Driver Size: 13-inches
Driver Material: 2 layer long fiber pulp/glass fiber cone
Voice Coil: 100mm, with high-temperature aluminum wire and black anodized aluminum bobbin construction.
Magnet: 300 oz (that’s 19 pounds!)
Enclosure: The enclosure is made of High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) that is horizontally and vertically braced. 3 ports are provided on the 13-inch model and 4 ports are provided on the 16-inch model, all of which can be left open, partially, or fully sealed depending on application and preference.
Frequency Response (-6db) Sealed Ports Vented Ports (2) Vented Ports (3) Extended EQ N/A 16 to 200Hz 16 to 200Hz THX EQ 20 to 200 Hz 19 to 200Hz 20 to 200Hz
Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1% from 20-100 Hz (90dB @ 1m reference point)
Variable Level Control: +15/‑20 dB
Reference Level: 100mV @ 40Hz (89dB @ 1m)
Crossover Control: Inline/Bypass variable from 40 to 160 Hz,
Phase Control: 0 to 180 degrees variable (used to match the in/out motion of the subwoofer driver to the rest of the speakers in your system).
Inputs: 2 RCA, 1 XLR
Outputs: 1 XLR
Signal Turn On: Selectable always on or Auto-Detect.
Auto Turn Off Time: 30 minutes
Dimensions: 23.8″ x 20.3″ x 29.1″ (605 x 515 x 740 mm)
Weight: 153.2 lbs. (69.5 kg)
Finish: Black Ash
Digging Deeper – 16-inch THX Monolith Subwoofer
The majority of the specifications for the 16-inch model are identical to the 13-inch model, including the inputs, output, and control options.
Here are the features and specifications that are different in the 16-inch Monolith THX Subwoofer.
Driver Size: 16-inches
Number of Ports: 4 (can be sealed or vented)
Frequency Response (-6db) with Extended EQ Operation
- Sealed Ports: N/A
- Vented Ports (1): 17 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (2): 14 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (3): 14 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (4): 16 to 200Hz
Frequency Response (-6db) with THX EQ Operation
- Sealed Ports: 20 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (1): 17 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (2): 24 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (3): 14 to 200Hz
- Vented Ports (4): 16 to 200Hz
Dimensions: 25.6″ x 22.0″ x 28.1″ (650 x 560 x 715 mm)
Weight: 171.6 lbs. (77.8 kg)
Finish: Black Ash
Price & Availability
- The 13-inch Monoprice Monolith THX Ultra Certified Subwoofer (Product Number 41496) is available for $1,599 at Monoprice.com.
- The 16-inch Monoprice Monolith THX Ultra Certified Subwoofer (Product Number 42031) is available for $2,299 at Monoprice.com.
UPDATE 11/3/21: Monoprice adds to its Monolith THX subwoofer line with three models in 10, 12, and 15-inch sizes. Read our full report.
