Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 on measured sound quality, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP on price. The JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 ranks #28 of 110 subwoofers at $2495. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52 at $1049, $1446 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 JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 116.1 dB at 20 Hz and 125.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 508.0H x 762.0W x 571.5D mm cabinet and 64.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2495 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #28 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 119.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 121.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 124.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 125.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 124.0 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) | 20"H x 30"W x 22.5"D (508.0 x 762.0 x 571.5 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 142 lbs (64.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5/3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 99.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 126.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 124.7 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JTR Speakers Captivator 1400:
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 1400
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Harbinger V2218S
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
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
JTR Speakers Captivator 1400: $2495 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 116.1 dB at 20 Hz and 125.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 508.0H x 762.0W x 571.5D mm cabinet and 64.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.
Full JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 125.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 20"H x 30"W x 22.5"D (508.0 x 762.0 x 571.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 99.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 119.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 121.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 124.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 125.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 124.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 126.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 124.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 142 lbs (64.4 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
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) S3600i
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Rythmik FV25HP
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Harbinger V2218S
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JTR Speakers Captivator 1400 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- See all 16 comparisons