Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP for output, the SVS PB12-NSD for its port design. The HSU’s ported cabinet delivers a 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, though it needs careful room placement and its 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet is mid-size. The SVS reaches a 113.8dB average with SVS’s proprietary net-zero-sum port design.
On the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP side: Ported cabinet delivers 121.4dB CEA-2010-A average, one of the best price-to-output ratios in this weight class. Set against that: Ported design requires careful room placement, mid-size 39 kg (86 lbs) cabinet, and mid-range output.
The case for the SVS PB12-NSD: 12-inch ported driver reaches 113.8dB CEA-2010-A average with SVS’s proprietary net-zero-sum port design.
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It is rated higher for sound quality than the SVS PB12-NSD and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP | SVS PB12-NSD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1099 |
| Ranked | #52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #62 of 145 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 100.8 dB | 99.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 108.2 dB | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.4 dB | 107.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.2 dB | 109.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.9 dB | 112.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.3 dB | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.1 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 120.4 dB | 113.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 121.4 dB | 113.8 dB |
| Dimensions | 25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm) | 20.9"H x 17.3"W x 22"D (530.9 x 439.4 x 558.8 mm) |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) | 65.9 lbs (29.9 kg) |
| Warranty | 7/2(+3) | 5 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Manufacturer | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | - | 400W RMS |
| Frequency Response | - | 18-150Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for SVS PB12-NSD:
- MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X vs SVS PB12-NSD
- Monoprice SW-15 vs SVS PB12-NSD
- SVS SB-3000 vs SVS PB12-NSD
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs RBH Sound SX-12
- HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs Monoprice Monolith M15-S
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
SVS PB12-NSD: $1099 eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported driver reaches 113.8dB CEA-2010-A average with SVS’s proprietary net-zero-sum port design.
Full SVS PB12-NSD review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 113.8 dB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 20.9"H x 17.3"W x 22"D (530.9 x 439.4 x 558.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Frequency Response | 18-150Hz |
| Measurement Source | Ilkka Rissanen |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 99.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 105.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 107.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 109.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 112.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 114.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 113.8 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 65.9 lbs (29.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Ilkka Rissanen; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons