HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB-4000

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#52 and #62 of 110 subwoofers), and the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP costs $1049 against $2158.97 for the SVS PB-4000, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB-4000

The case for the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class. The catch: 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. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1109.97 less than the SVS PB-4000.

Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →Buy the SVS PB-4000 at Amazon ($2,158.97) →

Specifications Side By Side

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP SVS PB-4000
Price$1,099$2,158.97
Ranked#52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)#62 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)
Enclosureported, frontported, front
Output SPL at 15 Hz100.8 dB102.1 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz108.2 dB115.3 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz113.4 dB116.3 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz118.2 dB117.8 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz121.9 dB119.8 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz122.3 dB121.7 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz121.1 dB120.7 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz120.4 dB119.2 dB
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)121.4 dB120.3 dB
Dimensions25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm)23.4"H x 20.5"W x 27.7"D (594.4 x 520.7 x 703.6 mm)
Weight85.1 lbs (38.6 kg)153.2 lbs (69.5 kg)
Warranty7/2(+3)5
Cabinet Colorblackblack
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Measurement SourceManufacturerAudioholics
Drivers15" (381mm) driver13.5" (343mm) driver with ported design
Output SPL at 100 Hz-118.1 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz-117.5 dB
Inputs-XLR (balanced), RCA (LFE/stereo)
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
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →Buy the SVS PB-4000 at Amazon ($2,158.97) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP:

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

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP ranking card

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 Colorblack
CountryUnited States
Dimensions25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm)
Drivers15" (381mm) driver
Enclosureported, front
Measurement SourceManufacturer
Output SPL at 15 Hz100.8 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz108.2 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz113.4 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz118.2 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz121.9 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz122.3 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz121.1 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz120.4 dB
Warranty7/2(+3)
Weight85.1 lbs (38.6 kg)
Check current price at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →Search eBay for HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP →

SVS PB-4000: $2,158.97 Amazon eBay

SVS PB-4000 ranking card

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.3 dB at 20 Hz and 120.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 13.5” (343mm) driver with ported design has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.

Cons: The 594.4H x 520.7W x 703.6D mm cabinet and 69.5 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-4000 review and specifications →

AES InputNo
Aux InputNo
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)120.3 dB
Cabinet Colorblack
Coaxial InputNo
CountryUnited States
Dimensions23.4"H x 20.5"W x 27.7"D (594.4 x 520.7 x 703.6 mm)
Drivers13.5" (343mm) driver with ported design
Enclosureported, front
HDMI InputNo
InputsXLR (balanced), RCA (LFE/stereo)
Measurement SourceAudioholics
Optical InputNo
Output SPL at 15 Hz102.1 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz115.3 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz116.3 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz117.8 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz119.8 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz121.7 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz120.7 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz119.2 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz118.1 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz117.5 dB
RCA InputYes
TRS InputNo
USB InputNo
Warranty5
Weight153.2 lbs (69.5 kg)
XLR InputYes
Check current price at Amazon ($2,158.97) →Search eBay for SVS PB-4000 →