Short answer: the Funk Audio Custom 21.0 for better sound quality, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP for the lower price. The Funk Audio Custom 21.0 ranks #12 of 110 subwoofers at $6061.91. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52 at $1049, $5012.91 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 Funk Audio Custom 21.0 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.8 dB at 20 Hz and 127.7 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 21” (533mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 577.9H x 565.1W x 520.7D mm cabinet and 65.8 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Funk Audio Custom 21.0 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Funk Audio Custom 21.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $6,061.91 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #12 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 105.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 109.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 120.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 124.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 129.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 131.0 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 127.7 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 22.8"H x 22.2"W x 20.5"D (577.9 x 565.1 x 520.7 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 145.1 lbs (65.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | wood, custom |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 21" (533mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | - | 97.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 101.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 132.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 133.0 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Funk Audio Custom 21.0:
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- Funk Audio Classic 18.0 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
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-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 SVS PB-3000
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Harbottle Audio C24 L1
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs JTR Speakers Captivator RS1
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV15HP
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2V
- See all 54 comparisons
Funk Audio Custom 21.0: $6,061.91 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.8 dB at 20 Hz and 127.7 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 21” (533mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 577.9H x 565.1W x 520.7D mm cabinet and 65.8 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Notes: Data-bass labeled this sub as ‘FW21.0’, but original name is 21.0
Full Funk Audio Custom 21.0 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.7 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | wood, custom |
| Country | Canada |
| Dimensions | 22.8"H x 22.2"W x 20.5"D (577.9 x 565.1 x 520.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 21" (533mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 97.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 101.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 105.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 109.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 120.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 124.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 131.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 132.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 133.0 dB |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 145.1 lbs (65.8 kg) |
- Links
- 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
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
- Funk Audio Custom 21.0 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra