Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2, if you are buying new. The Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra measures as well as it (#56 vs #50 of 110 subwoofers, 4.2/5 vs 4.2/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 is still sold new at $1,499.
What the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 does well: 15-inch ported driver delivers 121.8dB CEA-2010-A average from HSU Research’s long-running VTF series. The tradeoff: Ported enclosure prone to room modes at certain frequencies, mid-large 50 kg size, and $1499 price point.
What the Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra does well: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.0 dB at 20 Hz and 121.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The catch: The 604.5H x 515.6W x 739.1D mm cabinet and 69.5 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 new; the Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $1,700 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #56 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB | 115.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 118.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 120.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 122.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 121.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 24”H x 18”W x 26”D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 23.8”H x 20.3”W x 29.1”D (604.5 x 515.6 x 739.1 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 153.2 lbs (69.5 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 13” (330mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 94.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 123.8 dB |
| Inputs | - | XLR (stereo balanced), RCA (stereo/mono) |
| 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 |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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
- 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 Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Rythmik F18
- See all 29 comparisons
Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra: $1,700 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.0 dB at 20 Hz and 121.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 13” (330mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 604.5H x 515.6W x 739.1D mm cabinet and 69.5 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential. Discontinued.
Notes: Product # 41496
Full Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.1 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 20.3”W x 29.1”D (604.5 x 515.6 x 739.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 13” (330mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (stereo balanced), RCA (stereo/mono) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 94.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 115.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 118.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 120.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 122.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 123.8 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 153.2 lbs (69.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs SVS PB16-Ultra
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2V
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs Rythmik FV15HP
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2