Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP, if you are buying new. The Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 measures as well as it (#64 vs #52 of 110 subwoofers, 4.2/5 vs 4.2/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP is still sold new at $1049.
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.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP new; the Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1,500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #64 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 106.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 112.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 116.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 120.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 120.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 120.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 118.7 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 120.0 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 28.7"H x 17.7"W x 26.8"D (729.0 x 449.6 x 680.7 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 132.9 lbs (60.3 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Manufacturer |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 91.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 120.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 120.2 dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Inputs | - | XLR, RCA |
| 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 M-15 V2: $1,500 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Published CEA-2010 specifications list 112.6 dB at 20 Hz and 120.0 dB through 40-80 Hz. Its front-ported 15-inch design has substantial deep-bass and midbass headroom for cinema playback.
Cons: Discontinued and no longer sold new. At 60.3 kg and 729.0H x 449.6W x 680.7D mm, it needs committed floor space and careful room integration. Discontinued.
Notes: Product # 42851
Full Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.0 dB |
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 28.7"H x 17.7"W x 26.8"D (729.0 x 449.6 x 680.7 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 91.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 106.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 112.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 120.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 120.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 120.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 120.2 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 132.9 lbs (60.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs SVS PB-4000
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Arendal 1723 Subwoofer 2S
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Rythmik F18
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Rythmik FV15HP
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Monoprice Monolith M-15 V2 vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- See all 16 comparisons