Short answer: the SVS PB-3000 if sound quality matters most, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if price matters most. The SVS PB-3000 ranks #51 of 110 subwoofers at $1799. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranks #52 at $1049, $750 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 SVS PB-3000 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 111.3 dB at 20 Hz and 121.5 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 13” (330mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 556.3H x 464.8W x 596.9D mm cabinet and 37.3 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the SVS PB-3000 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | SVS PB-3000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1,799.00 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #51 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 99.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 116.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 117.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 122.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 121.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 120.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 121.5 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 21.9"H x 18.3"W x 23.5"D (556.3 x 464.8 x 596.9 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 82.2 lbs (37.3 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 85.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | - | 121.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | - | 121.0 dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for SVS PB-3000:
- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs SVS PB-3000
- SVS PB-3000 vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith 13 THX Ultra
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Paradigm Defiance X15
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
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Rythmik FV18
- 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
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB-4000
- See all 54 comparisons
SVS PB-3000: $1,799.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 111.3 dB at 20 Hz and 121.5 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 13” (330mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 556.3H x 464.8W x 596.9D mm cabinet and 37.3 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. Ported output does not solve room modes, so careful placement and calibration remain essential.
Full SVS PB-3000 review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.5 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 21.9"H x 18.3"W x 23.5"D (556.3 x 464.8 x 596.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 85.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 99.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 117.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 121.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 121.0 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 82.2 lbs (37.3 kg) |
- 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