Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for more output, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP for a lighter cabinet. The Monolith’s 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver a 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average, though it is heavy at 78 kg (172 lbs) and the ported design can interact with room acoustics. The HSU’s 121.4dB comes in a 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet.
What the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP gets right: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class. The tradeoff: Ported design requires careful room placement, mid-size 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet, and mid-range output.
On the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra side: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked. The catch: Heavy at 78 kg (172 lbs) and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra 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 | Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2,300 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 126.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 127.6 dB |
| Inputs | - | XLR, RCA, XLR out |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
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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.
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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
Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300 eBay
Pros: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it.
Cons: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Notes: Product # 42031
Full Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, XLR out |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
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- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 2400
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Harbinger V2218S
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Rythmik FV25HP
- See all 88 comparisons