Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 for a measured 121.8dB, the XTZ Sound 99 W12S for its amplifier. The HSU’s 15-inch ported driver delivers a 121.8dB CEA-2010-A average, but it is prone to room modes, weighs 50 kg (110.2 lbs), and costs $1499. The XTZ pairs a 12-inch ported cabinet with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower half-kilowatt amplification.
What the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 gets right: 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.
On the XTZ Sound 99 W12S side: 12-inch ported with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower half-kilowatt amplification.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-15H MK2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the XTZ Sound 99 W12S at the same price, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 | XTZ Sound 99 W12S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $1499 |
| Ranked | #50 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #47 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 101.6 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.4 dB | 74.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.8 dB | 86.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.4 dB | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.9 dB | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.5 dB | 114.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.5 dB | 117.4 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.8 dB | 114.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 24"H x 18"W x 26"D (609.6 x 457.2 x 660.4 mm) | 19.6"H x 13.8"W x 15.7"D (499.1 x 349.8 x 400.0 mm) |
| Weight | 110 lbs (49.9 kg) | 67.2 lbs (30.5 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | - |
| Cabinet Color | black, wood | - |
| Country | United States | Sweden |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Frequency Response | - | Not fully specified |
| Amplifier Power | - | Not fully specified |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs XTZ Sound 99 W12S
- Monoprice SW-15 vs XTZ Sound 99 W12S
- SVS SB-3000 vs XTZ Sound 99 W12S
- HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) XS15SE
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs XTZ Sound 99 W12S
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
XTZ Sound 99 W12S: $1499 eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower half-kilowatt amplification. Sweepable phase knob with flexible EQ1/EQ2 switches for refined tuning. Excellent value high-output performance with powerful, clean amplification.
Full XTZ Sound 99 W12S review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Not fully specified |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 114.5 dB |
| Country | Sweden |
| Dimensions | 19.6"H x 13.8"W x 15.7"D (499.1 x 349.8 x 400.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Frequency Response | Not fully specified |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 74.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 86.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 117.4 dB |
| Weight | 67.2 lbs (30.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Ilkka Rissanen; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons