3 High-End Subwoofers Compared: JBL, Monolith, Arendal Sound

Рет қаралды 38,395

2 жыл бұрын

In tonight's livestream at 11pm EDT, we discuss 3 high-end subwoofers from Arendal Sound, JBL and Monolith we've recently reviewed. These are 3 entirely different products intended for specific applications. Is bigger ALWAYS better? We discuss the trade offs associated with the subs in this comparison to help you decide which is best for you.
Monoprice Monolith 16" THX Sub Review: bit.ly/3liojKr
Arendal Sound 1723 Subwoofer 2V Review: bit.ly/3nVTBsf
JBL HDI-1200P Subwoofer Review: bit.ly/3Aj9MT7
Audioholics Recommendations Amazon Shop: www.amazon.com/shop/audioholics
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Audioholics Recommended Subwoofers:
SVS SB-1000 Pro: bit.ly/3c0rwsf
SVS PB-1000 Pro: bit.ly/3aWzdAg
Audioholics Recommended Electronics:
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Пікірлер: 133

@JOHNNYJAMS08 11 ай бұрын

i really wish we could see a comparison test of the Monolith 13" vs 16"

@joesabato9736 2 жыл бұрын

Great comparison and discussion. Loved the WAF / Performance graph. My wife did not want big boxes in the great room of our new house, so I ended up building an 4 driver IB sub in a manifold that resides in the basement. She is happy in that all you see is a floor grate in the room, and I get my bass craving satisfied. A little more effort rolling your own, using a MiniDSP and a Crown prosound amp, but 15 years later it still does the job.

@Novilicious 2 жыл бұрын

I love the Arendal because it’s a dual opposed side-firing design. All newer smaller subs have this design but at no loss to output. You always want dual opposed design because two 12s in one sub equal an 18, and two 13s in the Arendal equal 21.

@nathandaniels6757 2 жыл бұрын

Huh….maybe I should reorient my two 18” Ultimaxes to sit in a large opposing cabinet….

@donalddluckerii3147 2 жыл бұрын

All newer smaller subs have 2 drivers in an isobaric design? This is not true. Many, many single driver subs on the market from many, many manufacturers. Price and design dictates the quantity of drivers.

@santiagoezquerrocordon1470 Жыл бұрын

Well, actually your numbers are not right. The area of two 12's is around 10% smaller than a 18". And The area of two 13's is around 20% smaller than a 21". Not only that, when you have two speakers moving to the opposite side in the same cabinet, they "fight" for the same air compression to go out of the cabinet, so they need much more power for the amp than a normal ported sub, with not only doesn't have to "fight" with other speakerz but also can get some help from the air coming inside the cabinet from the ports. So, they not only don't move so much air as your numbers suggest, but also they need an amp around 3 times more powerful. They are great for not having any cabinet movement thoug.

@hotdog9262 11 ай бұрын

@@santiagoezquerrocordon1470 they don`t need an amps that are much more powerful, if done correctly. and smaller drivers usually means snappier bass response, particulary when opposed as you also get high output bass with little distortion. I would be surprised if the arendal didn`t produce the best loud bass here. the discussion revolved to much around output as oppose to quality which atleast imo..is more important

@Ale55andr082 2 ай бұрын

@@santiagoezquerrocordon1470 that "fight" produce lesser distortion and increase mechanical power handling....and no they don't need more powerful amp because the air load is calculated and optimized, not chosen by throwing dice...

@samo8204 2 жыл бұрын

So if I had the plate amp replaced, how do I know if the DSP is correct?

@danielschulz9304 Жыл бұрын

Great 👍 review, I've watched it three times since it came out over a year ago. My 18 year old Sony sawx900 2 12" drivers one facing out and the other inverted facing down, I forgot 😳 what this arrangement is called but very effective. But thanks to your recommendation I got the Arendal 1723 2S, very happy 😊.

@BblastedD 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gene and crew!

@monijam1 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Love all of the info, tips, and tricks. BTW, the Polk Audio PSW505 Amp notoriously fails...the company will replace it for free but it's something to keep in mind.

@knotslip8862 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks. I'm in the market for a sub to replace my old Velodyne HGS-12 and it seems the more I watch and read the more subs I end up considering. :) Hard to make a choice.

@danielesbordone1871 2 жыл бұрын

If plate amps fail like you say they do , just avoid them. I prefer passive subs with a heavy duty amp that will never let you down.

@brucecarter6205 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve owned many subs with plate amps and haven’t had a fail yet. Maybe I’m just lucky. 🤷‍♂️

@Jcan4u 2 жыл бұрын

Seems I am one of those lucky ones had a Cerwin Vega for over 16 years and the speaker is more likely to fail than the amp

@donalddluckerii3147 2 жыл бұрын

@@brucecarter6205 Yes you are. We have about a 1000 to 1 failure rate of amp vs spkr on ALL brands of subwoofers we have sold in the past 18 years. It's a common failure point.

@donalddluckerii3147 2 жыл бұрын

@@Jcan4u Yes you are. We have about a 1000 to 1 failure rate of amp vs spkr on ALL brands of subwoofers we've sold the past 18 years. It's a very common failure point.

@slimjim1104 2 жыл бұрын

Not all plate amps or power amps are created equal. I've had all kinds of each fail and last for years.

@nguyenvo-mh7js 2 жыл бұрын

Can you do a comparison between Svs pb16 vs monolith 16. I’m deciding between the 2 to buy. Thanks!

@smurfie8412 Жыл бұрын

Mono 16 all day!

@Charlesbjtown 2 жыл бұрын

I can tell you, that the Monolith 15 JAMS, I've got two of them and really like em. Can only imagine how that 16 sounds!

@larsv6144 2 жыл бұрын

Does the Arendal Integrate as well in a stereo setup as the REL subs do?

@tagtag-connected5263 7 ай бұрын

No Arendal does not. No one does stereo subs like REL. The high level is untouchable for integration with main speakers. Just like the same way REL cannot touch SVS or Arendal for sheer grunt of the low bass in home theater.

@kennethreilly4716 2 жыл бұрын

Any chance you guys may do a full review of the GoldenEar SuperSub XXL? The form factor and potential output given the specs seems like a potential sweet spot between performance and SAF (aesthetics) at a not-ridiculous price.

@Audioholics 2 жыл бұрын

Goldenear stopped working with us after they were purchased by Audioquest so it's unlikely we will be reviewing their speakers again anytime soon.

@ottoinct 2 жыл бұрын

My $1100 a/d/s ms3/u amp had to be replaced in the first dozen hours of use, and still kickin' w/o issue since 1996. My Bash 300s in my Soundfield Audio monitors have been solid since 2011.

@cousinluigi 2 жыл бұрын

James got closest with pronunciation of Arendal. To get even a little bit closer: Aah-ren-daahl. :-) Yes, it’s the name of the town (not city - there’s no cathedral in Arendal) where the manufacturer is located. Being Norway’s 15th largest settlement, the population of its municipality is estimated to be around 45000 people. I’ve visited the town of Arendal a few times. Great spot for a summer vacation. :)

@dougg1075 2 жыл бұрын

When a guy makes a beer joke , the other dudes are required to say “ hell yeah”

@samo8204 2 жыл бұрын

Have you ever tested a 6000ULF (the 4000 but 240 volts) or 4000ULF?

@samo8204 2 жыл бұрын

Please do a video on plate amps. Particularly what can be done to make them last. I had one fail in less than a year.

@HaraldMacGerhard 2 жыл бұрын

Once again, insanely great stuff guys 😍 @audioholics, Gene, your are wrong! Arendal name comes from the city of the same name, James is pretty close, emphasis on the A 😃 on WAF or SAF, my wife wants larger speakers than what I think is feasible in the room, where does that leave me? 🤣 I’d like the big Monolith though 😜😱🤗🥳

@nathandaniels6757 2 жыл бұрын

“I’m not BASHing any manufacturers [re: plate amp reliability]”…. I see what you did there Gene!

@andreasmoller9798 2 жыл бұрын

I will buy the Arendal 1723 1s subwoofer seems really impressive for the money

@1997inspire 2 жыл бұрын

Mathew and James frequently disagree on points about low bass reproduction.Based on what I have learned about Psycho-acoustics since the 1970,s I would have to agree with Mathew most of the times. High group delay is conspicuously audible. Well said Gene, the plate amplifier is by far the Achilles Heel of subwoofers.

@samo8204 2 жыл бұрын

I would like to see a comparison of (as close to the same model as possible) sealed Vs ported. With numbers for (quantity) output. Also (quality) accuracy. Can you have both?

@techcode_man 2 жыл бұрын

Where does Hsu fit in?

@rodster44 2 жыл бұрын

I picked up the Monoprice Monolith 15" v1 on clearance for $1200. It's a big sub but output and efficiency is impressive. If you want to jump when LFE hit, get a Monolith. Large enclosures are the easy path to great subwoofer performance. Most subs have a bell shaped curve. Not ideal. The Monolith output is ruler flat 20-100 hz. It's amazing with good recordings, hearing the entire range of low frequencies. Game changing subwoofer for the money. The 16" is awesome but you can get the much more affordable 10", 12" or 15" with great results.

@Intelligent_Critic 8 ай бұрын

Got the 16 for $1,600

@gnawty4662 Жыл бұрын

Gene, have you gotten a round to doing the Plate-amp review amongst multiple brands?

@gaurd3 2 жыл бұрын

Informative as ever. I was going with the monolith but after the lift gate fee ( that was in samll print) and taxes I was close to the arendal price, went with arendal. The "free shipping "but having to pay lift gate was the deal breaker. I'll pay what ever but just be up front.

@hotdog9262 11 ай бұрын

happy with your choice?

@Intelligent_Critic 9 ай бұрын

I didn't click Lift gate(did not pay the lift gate fee) And Fedex delivered it literally to my door steps. Meaning they unloaded 2 Monolith 16's from the truck, down the driveway and to my doorstep.

@gaurd3 8 ай бұрын

@@hotdog9262actually got 2 of the monolith 16s from Amazon free shipping on prime day for about 1722 each last year. I couldnt pass the performance up for the price.

@Intelligent_Critic 8 ай бұрын

@gaurd3 How you liking it, and did you crank them up yet? How loud you run it to test them out?

@gaurd3 8 ай бұрын

@@Intelligent_Critic too loud. I can’t sit in the same room with them at full tilt. Pressurizes the entire first floor of an open floor plan. When I hooked the first one up I was like over did it. 🤣 I did have to RMA one free of charge. Weird chirp when powering up earlier this year.

@JosephTongret Жыл бұрын

I know this is over a year old, but Gene said some wise words. Company's raise prices and government gets more power, they never give it back up! Ain't that universally true!

@brianjackson708 2 жыл бұрын

"it was an appliance...it wasn't a subwoofer....it was an appliance" lolololololol

@aegisofhonor 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder how the old Klipsch P-312W compares to these, it is an older subwoofer design but in it's day it was one of the best subs on the market and still one of best looking subs one could own today with any decent performance outside of super boutique brand subs costing tens of thousands.

@blakewillson18 2 жыл бұрын

It would not come even close to the Monolith or Arendal.

@hamsandwich1860 3 ай бұрын

The hdi 1200 doesnt quite go as low as the others but it looks like its -10db roll off is at 31.5 hz and 107db at that frequency. Not bad for a small 12” sub.

@santiagoezquerrocordon1470 Жыл бұрын

Great chat

@hobblyjig Жыл бұрын

I would have liked to get the Arendal. But I was able to get two Monolith 16s on sale for less than one Arendal V2. But in the future when I have more cash I’d like to build a full Arendal HT including their subs.

@RathOX 2 жыл бұрын

Monolith 16 vs PB16U, on paper Monolith beats the PB16 but irl how is the Mono16 vs the PB16?

@smurfie8412 Жыл бұрын

Murders it

@RathOX Жыл бұрын

@@smurfie8412 its all good, i got 2 x 21 inch instead

@mattjohns3526 Жыл бұрын

Guys please compare for me. 1723 2V is $4500 in AUS. Perlisten D15s is $7000. Perlisten D212s is $9000. Is the Arendal almost as good but they have cut out the middle man so the pricing is so much better. Surely the Perlisten subs arnt 50-100% better? James gave the Arendal 5 stars for performance and value.

@Jcan4u 2 жыл бұрын

Elac has a delay, for the price it's very functional. Nothing like the expensive big boys but for the budget guy you can get that premium function.

@alirezahosseinmardi 2 жыл бұрын

Somebody has got to review the Magico's Q Subs

@imip.1252 2 жыл бұрын

Single Monolith 16 or Dual Monoliths 13?

@smurfie8412 Жыл бұрын

Dual 16s duh

@edwarddiogu6377 2 жыл бұрын

Anybody knows of any good PASSIVE SUBWOOFER? I really, really prefer it. Thanks.

@andreemilsen369 2 жыл бұрын

The name Arendal, is from the town in Norway where the company is based....and...you are all saying it wrong, including Disney/ Frozen 🤪 Edit: The most fundamental flaw with a Tesla (all EV's), is the sound.... Get in a V8 car start the engine and feel the good vibes....not so many goos vibes in a Tesla (ding, ding, ding 🙊).

@wa2368 2 жыл бұрын

Dumdum

@deankim6687 10 ай бұрын

I used to dislike listening to James speak, but I’ve become a James fan.

@SoCalVipers Жыл бұрын

I guess I'm lucky. My Bag-End Infra-sub has been going strong for 20 years.

@ulflarsson9693 2 жыл бұрын

I would take the arendal sub of these 3 then 😊🎵👍

@Guy-zt1eb 2 жыл бұрын

Would this outperform the SVS ultra 16

@GoldPlatedCheese 2 жыл бұрын

Monolith 16” vs PB16 Ultra needs to happen

@zbigniewkrol3899 2 жыл бұрын

James! 👍

@kmrinden84 2 жыл бұрын

James is right about arendal 😝

@reggieburris 2 жыл бұрын

I like this review because it shows engineers with experience disagree but they agree that calling subs musical are subjective and not quantifiable. Can you say Rel aficionados!

@Ctripp2448 2 жыл бұрын

The rel subs are the most overrated and overhyped subs on the planet

@reggieburris 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ctripp2448 I agree wholeheartedly!

@donalddluckerii3147 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ctripp2448 Incorrect. Their HT line is an amazing value.

@Ctripp2448 2 жыл бұрын

@@donalddluckerii3147 no I’m correct sir. so you think a 1800 dollar 15 inch sub with a -6db point of 21hz is incredible??? That is pitiful. Do you know how many subwoofers I can name that will walk all over that sub for less?

@donalddluckerii3147 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ctripp2448 Did I say they had great specs? The 15 is probably the least high value in their HT line but it sounds great. What subs available for through brick and morter are you referring to? Also I said the HT line. The 10 and the 12 are very reasonably priced.

@gaurd3 2 жыл бұрын

1:09:47 100% agree

@davidrojas6457 2 жыл бұрын

Close, but it's pronounced AH-rehn-duhl Awesome comparison, crew! Glad to see Arendal getting more recognition, they are a great company.

@derekr5327 2 жыл бұрын

The graph of the JBL seems pedestrian. Peaks not linear in it’s operating frequency. Big bump at 50 hz. That freq response is not a lot better than a 200$ BIC f12. If wife approval factor was the biggest consideration, lots of subs out there that look pretty that do not cost 3k

@6768scat 2 жыл бұрын

You can control multiple subs with the Elac app also , I have 2 of the 12" subs and I am able to control both separately

@toddroy9558 2 жыл бұрын

JTR raised there price on there RS1 by 21%

@Edward135i 2 жыл бұрын

6:59 extremely underrated nerd joke 😂

@TotalyFreakt 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see an audioholics deep dive review of the KEF KF92

@mattolsziewski7164 2 жыл бұрын

No where near enough discussion on this sub.

@paulonunes3568 2 жыл бұрын

Arendal 1722 2s vs kef KF92?

@drewyoung2102 9 ай бұрын

I always find the spousal factor funny if you pay all bills and have no debt. Turn it up and drowned her out.

@SilfredoSerrano Жыл бұрын

The JBL looks gorgeous

@toddroy9558 2 жыл бұрын

When are y’all going to review the JTR subwoofers?

@Audioholics 2 жыл бұрын

We already have.

@AlmightyGTR 4 ай бұрын

Why doesn't Audioholics review Rythmik?

@dougg1075 2 жыл бұрын

“ normally it’s the wife , that’s the truth. Truth? Hahahaha

@docdar00 2 жыл бұрын

TEAM JAMES!!!

@santiagoezquerrocordon1470 Жыл бұрын

When you wonder if the 16 ThX can keep the power of the dual 15 from monolith... It's me or it's something wrong with the numbers. O a sibgle 15 was maximum 116db in some frecuencies. The dual was +6db, so maximum output was 122db. The 16" thx is over 122db from 50Hz to 125hz, so yeah, it's not only keeping the battle, it's beating the dual 15". IT'S A MONSTER. I don't get why It is not very popular. I understand it's imposible to get in a normal living room, but there are a lot of crazy guys with dedicated tether room in USA, and this thing. Beats by far the svs pb16 being cheaper, and you can see lots of pb16's around. I don't get it. Is it something wrong with this sub I don't know?

@Intelligent_Critic 9 ай бұрын

Just hasn't caught on yet., This have 2 of the 16's, Which actually is an 18 inch subwoofer by normal standards

@Intelligent_Critic 9 ай бұрын

Marketing and popularity, I plan on doing a video review with measurements in the next 30 days once I get the time. Since it's not really any reviews on the 16

@hotdog9262 11 ай бұрын

if the talk was more about bass quality then output it would be a better discussion. freq response is relevant to sound quality, but it is clearly over valued in reviews and imo takes too much room in them

@donaldwatson4991 9 ай бұрын

I can't see how you get any kinda price to performance with those subs vs lower priced subs.for example I've got 10 klipsch r-12sw subs all turned way down on gains in a 16x20x8 ft room for $2300 vs one sub at the same price there is no comparison in even room response , dynamics or transient response.

@Intelligent_Critic 8 ай бұрын

Saving on space with 2 behemoth vs 10 of those klipsch

@donaldwatson4991 8 ай бұрын

@Intelligent_Critic not really I've got them stacked in 3 spots. Left and right of my TV 3 high and 4 high in the back corner of my room

@Intelligent_Critic 8 ай бұрын

@donaldwatson4991 Insane., as long as it works for you, that's the key, So you essentially have it setup as 3 large subwoofers

@donaldwatson4991 8 ай бұрын

@@Intelligent_Critic yep

@viperracing2889 2 жыл бұрын

So, in short, if you want good bass you need to stack several Monoliths in each corner?

@viperracing2889 2 жыл бұрын

To steal a quote from Star Wars: "You'd be dead!" 😅

@viperracing2889 2 жыл бұрын

Jokes aside, I wish you would test the XTZ 12.17 Edge. They were only US$690 here in Sweden up until a year ago. Now they are US$860, but considering their performance they seem like an almost obvious budget choice for people located in Europe. 😊

@Spawny500 2 жыл бұрын

A sub shouldn't be "pretty". I'll take the Monolith

@dextermorgan1 2 жыл бұрын

I have the Monolith. It's a freaking awesome sub.

@samlee2562 5 ай бұрын

Lol I have a kc62 🤗

@vishS14 2 жыл бұрын

Hilarious discussions 🤣

@joelopez7459 Жыл бұрын

Came for the Subs stayed for the Tesla jokes 🙃

@Christopher._M Жыл бұрын

Just don't try to stop hahaha

@akia123 2 жыл бұрын

Love the Tesla hate from Gene. Clueless brakes are amazing on them

@acaciomadeira5147 Жыл бұрын

There not loosing money on the product the cost of making a sub is highly marked up

@azriazris 2 жыл бұрын

Boss your experience..need help CAV Acoustic box GND fix behind receiver can give sound clean background (please help before buy TQ so much)

@dickslinger9925 2 жыл бұрын

The wife factor is only if you making an HT in the living room, instead of an HT room. What the JBL should have been was at least a 12GTi if not a 2458HPL a company that makes a 142db sub drivers this an example of the crap they distribute to useful idiots. The difference between the JBL L100 and the 4350. JBL Synthesis is garbage compared to SB18 sub for the M2 series. The Monolith just copied like a SAS sub. Arendal... television commercials etc. sub freqencies at 20hz and below are not monitored (annoying sounds and possibly damaging). Fast bass paper 7-18mm xmax one way (light weight cone), vs slow bass Heavy cone 22-44mm xmax one way.