Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2. It ranks #50 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,499; the Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S ranks #66, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2,500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2: 15-inch ported driver delivers 121.8dB CEA-2010-A average from HSU Research’s long-running VTF series. Watch for: Ported enclosure prone to room modes at certain frequencies, mid-large 50 kg size, and $1499 price point.
Why pick the Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S: Published CEA-2010 specifications list 102.6 dB at 20 Hz and 119.8 dB through 40-80 Hz. The tradeoff: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $2,500 |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #66 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB | 96.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB | 102.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 107.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 121.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 121.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 122.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Dimensions | 24”H x 18”W x 26”D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 20.9”H x 16.5”W x 19.7”D (529.8 x 419.9 x 499.9 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 91.3 lbs (41.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 10/5 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | black, white |
| Country | United States | Norway |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Manufacturer |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 2x 13.8” (351mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 120.4 dB |
| Inputs | - | XLR (balanced), RCA |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
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- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
HSU Research VTF-15H MK2: $1,499 eBay
Older model: the HSU Research VTF-15H (rated 4.1/5).
Pros: 15-inch ported driver delivers 121.8dB CEA-2010-A average from HSU Research’s long-running VTF series.
Cons: Ported enclosure prone to room modes at certain frequencies, mid-large 50 kg size, and $1499 price point.
Notes: Price includes shipping
Full HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, wood |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 24”H x 18”W x 26”D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs SVS PB-4000
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
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- See all 29 comparisons
Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S: $2,500 Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: Published CEA-2010 specifications list 102.6 dB at 20 Hz and 119.8 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 13.8” (351mm) driver delivers formidable upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 529.8H x 419.9W x 499.9D mm cabinet and 41.4 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 119.8 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black, white |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Norway |
| Dimensions | 20.9”H x 16.5”W x 19.7”D (529.8 x 419.9 x 499.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 13.8” (351mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced), RCA |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 90.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 96.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 102.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 107.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.4 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 10/5 |
| Weight | 91.3 lbs (41.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons