Short answer: the Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 if sound quality matters most, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if price matters most. The Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 ranks #8 of 110 subwoofers at $4995. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52 at $1049, $3946 cheaper.
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 Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 offers: Published CEA-2010 specifications list 115.7 dB at 20 Hz and 129.7 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 596.9H x 787.4W x 698.5D mm cabinet and 77.1 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $4995 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #8 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 | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 129.7 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 23.5"H x 31"W x 27.5"D (596.9 x 787.4 x 698.5 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 170 lbs (77.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Manufacturer |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
- JTR Speakers Captivator 215PRO vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
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
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- 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
Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18: $4995 eBay
Pros: Published CEA-2010 specifications list 115.7 dB at 20 Hz and 129.7 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 596.9H x 787.4W x 698.5D mm cabinet and 77.1 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Full Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 129.7 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 23.5"H x 31"W x 27.5"D (596.9 x 787.4 x 698.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 215PRO
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18 vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra