Short answer: the JBL 4645C if sound quality matters most, the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 if price matters most. The JBL 4645C ranks #24 of 110 subwoofers at $4999. The HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 ranks #50 at $1499, $3500 cheaper.

What the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 offers: 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 $1,500 price point.
What the JBL 4645C offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room. Watch for: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JBL 4645C when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | JBL 4645C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $4999 Passive |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #24 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 133.9 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 127.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 24"H x 18"W x 26"D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5/3/2 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Passive | - | Yes |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 135.8 dB |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
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 $1,500 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
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs SVS PB-3000
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Rythmik FV15HP
- 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
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Rythmik F18
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
- See all 22 comparisons
JBL 4645C: $4999 Passive eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room.
Cons: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Full JBL 4645C review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 135.8 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5/3/2 |
| Weight | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL 4645C vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JBL 4645C vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JBL 4645C vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- JBL 4645C vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JBL 4645C vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JBL 4645C vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- See all 9 comparisons

