Short answer: the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 on measured sound quality, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP on price. The Chase Home Theater SS18.1 ranks #32 of 110 subwoofers at $2499. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52 at $1049, $1450 cheaper.

What the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP offers: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class. Watch for: Ported design requires careful room placement, mid-size 39 kg cabinet, and mid-range output.
What the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 offers: 18-inch sealed driver delivers 125.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a dedicated cinema-style sealed cabinet. Watch for: Passive design needs external amplification, 41 kg weight, and sealed design room modes.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Chase Home Theater SS18.1 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Chase Home Theater SS18.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2499 Passive, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #32 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 101.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 106.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 123.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 128.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 130.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 125.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 22"H x 24"W x 22"D (558.8 x 609.6 x 558.8 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 89.9 lbs (40.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Passive | - | Yes |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 132.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 133.7 dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Chase Home Theater SS18.1 compares with other leading options:
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 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-3 MK5 HP: $1,099 HSU Research eBay
Pros: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class.
Cons: Ported design requires careful room placement, mid-size 39 kg cabinet, and mid-range output.
Notes: Price includes shipping
Full HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV18
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV15HP
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB-4000
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik F18
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs JBL 4645C
- See all 23 comparisons
Chase Home Theater SS18.1: $2499 Passive, Discontinued eBay
Pros: 18-inch sealed driver delivers 125.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a dedicated cinema-style sealed cabinet.
Cons: Passive design needs external amplification, 41 kg weight, and sealed design room modes. Discontinued.
Full Chase Home Theater SS18.1 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22"H x 24"W x 22"D (558.8 x 609.6 x 558.8 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 101.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 106.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 128.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 130.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 132.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 133.7 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Weight | 89.9 lbs (40.8 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
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JBL 4645C
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Chase Home Theater SS18.1 vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- See all 9 comparisons

