Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra for the higher ranking, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP for the lower price. The Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra ranks #13 of 97 subwoofers at $2300. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #43 at $1099, $1201 cheaper.
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 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 and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2,300 |
| Ranked | #43 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #13 of 97 in Large Powered 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 | 25.0"H x 17.25"W x 24.0"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 25.6"H x 22.0"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 |
The Two Speakers In Full
HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP: $1,099
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
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.0"H x 17.25"W x 24.0"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 |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV15HP
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB-4000
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik F18
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- See all 16 comparisons
- Links
Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300
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
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22.0"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| 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 |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs / 77.8 kg |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Harbottle Audio C24 L2
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Funk Audio Ultra 21.0LX
- 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 Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
- See all 18 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.