Subwoofers · Mid-range
Monolith by Monoprice M-12 V2 12in THX Certified Ultra 500 Watt Powered Subwoofer
The large ported pick: a THX Ultra rated 12 in sub in a 98 lb braced HDF cabinet with balanced inputs and a DSP-controlled 500 W amplifier. Audioholics and Sound & Vision measured the original Monolith 12 THX Ultra playing cleanly below 20 Hz, and the V2 keeps that design at a lower price.
- 12" long-throw driver, THX Certified Ultra
- 500 W RMS Class D with 48-bit DSP
- 17 Hz vented (Extended EQ)
- Dual front ports with plugs, XLR and RCA inputs
Sound & Vision measured the original Monolith 12 THX Ultra with clean output well under 20 Hz and called its bass copious and articulate, and Audioholics ranked it against subs costing several hundred more. THX Ultra certification is a real output-at-distortion standard for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, not a marketing sticker. Balanced XLR inputs and the plug-the-ports sealed mode are features usually reserved for pricier subs.
Watch out: It weighs about 98 lb and is more than two feet deep, and the independent reviews were of the first version rather than the V2.
Pros
- THX Ultra output with extension into the teens
- XLR and RCA inputs, sealed or vented modes
- Heavily braced HDF cabinet
Cons
- Very heavy and deep
- No app control
- Reviews cover the original, not the V2
Specifications
| Driver | 12 in long-throw, long fiber pulp and glass fiber cone |
|---|---|
| Amplifier | Class D, 500 W RMS, 900 W peak, 48-bit DSP |
| Low-frequency extension | 17 Hz vented (Extended EQ); 20 Hz sealed (THX EQ) |
| Enclosure | Ported HDF with dual front ports and foam plugs for sealed mode |
| Dimensions | 22.8 x 16.7 x 25.8 in (H x W x D) |
| Weight | About 98 lb |
| DSP / app | Onboard DSP with THX and Extended EQ modes, variable crossover and phase; no app |
Specs come from manufacturer documentation and published reviews; check the retailer listing for the current revision.