Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks #52 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $1049; the Magico Audio ASUB ranks #104 and costs $6500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 Magico Audio ASUB offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 94.3 dB at 20 Hz and 111.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 10” (254mm) 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 457.2H x 368.3W x 447.0D mm cabinet and 49.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Magico Audio ASUB and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Magico Audio ASUB. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers, so look higher up the list instead.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Magico Audio ASUB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $6,500 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #104 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 94.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 99.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 105.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 109.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 111.1 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 18"H x 14.5"W x 17.6"D (457.2 x 368.3 x 447.0 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 108 lbs (49.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Brian Kahn |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 10" (254mm) 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
- 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
Magico Audio ASUB: $6,500 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 94.3 dB at 20 Hz and 111.1 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 10” (254mm) 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 457.2H x 368.3W x 447.0D mm cabinet and 49.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full Magico Audio ASUB review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 111.1 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 18"H x 14.5"W x 17.6"D (457.2 x 368.3 x 447.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" (254mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Brian Kahn |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 94.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 99.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 105.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 110.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 111.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 109.1 dB |
| Weight | 108 lbs (49.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Brian Kahn; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons