Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks #52 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $1049; the Genelec HTS4B ranks #105 and costs $2995, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 Genelec HTS4B offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 97.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The passive radiator enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music. Watch for: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 517.4H x 482.6W x 465.1D mm cabinet and 37.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Genelec HTS4B and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Skip the Genelec HTS4B if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Genelec HTS4B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2995 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #105 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | passive radiator |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 92.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 97.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 100.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 110.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 112.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 110.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 20.4"H x 19"W x 18.3"D (517.4 x 482.6 x 465.1 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 81.6 lbs (37.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 2(+3) |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | Finland |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
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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
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- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs JTR Speakers Captivator RS1
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV15HP
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Genelec HTS4B: $2995 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 97.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The passive radiator enclosure with 12” (305mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.
Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 517.4H x 482.6W x 465.1D mm cabinet and 37.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full Genelec HTS4B review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 110.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 20.4"H x 19"W x 18.3"D (517.4 x 482.6 x 465.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 92.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 97.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 100.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 110.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 112.3 dB |
| Warranty | 2(+3) |
| Weight | 81.6 lbs (37.0 kg) |
- Links
- 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