Short answer: the JTR Speakers Growler (2015) if sound quality matters most, the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 if price matters most. The JTR Speakers Growler (2015) ranks #13 of 110 subwoofers at $2995. The HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 ranks #50 at $1499, $1496 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 JTR Speakers Growler (2015) offers: 12-inch ported driver reaches 130.2dB CEA-2010-A average, nearly matching the class leader for about $1,000 less. Watch for: Ported design room interaction, 45 kg size, and $2,995 cost.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JTR Speakers Growler (2015) if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | JTR Speakers Growler (2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $2995 Passive |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #13 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 | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 106.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 130.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 133.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 134.4 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 130.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 24"H x 18"W x 26"D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 22.5"H x 30"W x 20"D (571.5 x 762.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 100.1 lbs (45.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | - |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Passive | - | Yes |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 135.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 136.0 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
JTR Speakers Growler (2015): $2995 Passive eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported driver reaches 130.2dB CEA-2010-A average, nearly matching the class leader for about $1,000 less.
Cons: Ported design room interaction, 45 kg size, and $2,995 cost.
Notes: Looks like “PA sub”
Full JTR Speakers Growler (2015) review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 130.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 30"W x 20"D (571.5 x 762.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 106.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 130.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 133.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 134.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 136.0 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Weight | 100.1 lbs (45.4 kg) |
- 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
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Harbinger V2218S
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- See all 22 comparisons