HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2

Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 if sound quality matters most, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if price matters most. The JTR Speakers Captivator S2 ranks #9 of 110 subwoofers, rated 4.5/5, at $3995. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52, rated 4.2/5, at $1049, $2946 cheaper.

The case for the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class. Set against that: Ported design requires careful room placement, mid-size 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet, and mid-range output.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

How JTR Speakers Captivator S2 compares with other leading options:

• JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO
• JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
• JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
• JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
• JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX

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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

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
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP Website
• 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 S2: $3995 eBay

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.1 dB at 20 Hz and 129.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 18” (457mm) drivers has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.

Cons: The 1016.0H x 533.4W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 99.8 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: Replaced by “RS2”

Full JTR Speakers Captivator S2 review and specifications →

AES Input	No
Aux Input	No
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	129.4 dB
Coaxial Input	No
Country	United States
Dimensions	40"H x 21"W x 18"D (1016.0 x 533.4 x 457.2 mm)
Drivers	2x 18" (457mm) drivers
Enclosure	sealed
HDMI Input	No
Inputs	XLR (balanced), RCA
Measurement Source	Data-bass
Optical Input	No
Output SPL at 10 Hz	100.3 dB
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz	103.3 dB
Output SPL at 15 Hz	108.7 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz	115.1 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	119.7 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	124.8 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	129.3 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	130.3 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	129.4 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	128.5 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz	128.1 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz	128.0 dB
RCA Input	Yes
TRS Input	No
USB Input	No
Warranty	5/3
Weight	220 lbs (99.8 kg)
XLR Input	Yes

• Links
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 Website
• 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 S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 215PRO
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
  • See all 48 comparisons