Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for more output, the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 for a lighter cabinet. The Monolith’s 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver a 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average, though it is heavy at 78 kg (172 lbs) and the ported design can interact with room acoustics. The HSU reaches 121.8dB from a 50 kg (110.2 lbs) cabinet but shares the ported room-mode caveat.
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. The catch: Ported enclosure prone to room modes at certain frequencies, mid-large 50 kg (110.2 lbs) size, and $1,500 price point.
What the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra gets right: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked. Set against that: Heavy at 78 kg (172 lbs) and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $801 you would save on the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $2,300 |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 126.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 24"H x 18"W x 26"D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 127.6 dB |
| Inputs | - | XLR, RCA, XLR out |
| 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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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
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 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
Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300 eBay
Pros: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it.
Cons: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Notes: Product # 42031
Full Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, XLR out |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 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
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