Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP for output, the RBH Sound SX-12 for a Large-room Bassaholic rating in a 12-inch package. The HSU’s ported cabinet delivers a 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average and one of the best price-to-output ratios in its weight class, but it needs careful room placement and its 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet delivers mid-range output. The RBH pairs a 12-inch aluminum-cone ported design with 350W RMS.
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 RBH Sound SX-12 side: 12-inch aluminum-cone ported with 350W RMS earns Large-room Bassaholic rating.
One note: the RBH Sound SX-12 is discontinued, but it still ranks #42 of 145 subwoofers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It is rated higher for sound quality than the RBH Sound SX-12 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | RBH Sound SX-12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1099 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #42 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 90.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 101.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 114.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 116.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 115.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 115.4 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 19.6"H x 17.7"W x 21.1"D (498.3 x 449.6 x 536.4 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 52.9 lbs (24.0 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5/1(+5/+3) |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 114.6 dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 27Hz (flat) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 350W RMS |
| Inputs | - | XLR (balanced, LFE in/out), RCA (LFE in/out), RCA (stereo line) |
| 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for RBH Sound SX-12:
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB12-NSD
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M-210
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS SB13-Plus
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs XTZ Sound SUB 3X12
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
RBH Sound SX-12: $1099 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 12-inch aluminum-cone ported with 350W RMS earns Large-room Bassaholic rating. Excellent musical performance with refined high-fidelity characteristics. Graceful side panel curves reduce standing waves. Impressive power without sacrificing musicality.
Cons: Discontinued.
Full RBH Sound SX-12 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 350W RMS |
| Aux Input | No |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 115.4 dB |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 19.6"H x 17.7"W x 21.1"D (498.3 x 449.6 x 536.4 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, bottom |
| Frequency Response | 27Hz (flat) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (balanced, LFE in/out), RCA (LFE in/out), RCA (stereo line) |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Optical Input | No |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 90.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 101.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 114.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 116.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 115.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 115.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 114.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 5/1(+5/+3) |
| Weight | 52.9 lbs (24.0 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.