HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks #52 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,049; the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution ranks #70, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2,599, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution

What the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP does well: 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 cabinet, and mid-range output.

What the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution does well: Independent CEA-2010 testing (Standard Mode) records 113.9 dB at 20 Hz and 119.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The tradeoff: At 167 lbs with recessed feet that leave little clearance, moving or repositioning this cabinet is a two-person job at minimum.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It is rated higher for sound quality than the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →Buy the SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution at Amazon ($2,599.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution
Price$1,099$2,599.00
Ranked#52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)#70 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)
Enclosureported, frontported, bottom
Output SPL at 15 Hz100.8 dB-
Output SPL at 20 Hz108.2 dB113.9 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz113.4 dB117.5 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz118.2 dB119.4 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz121.9 dB120.1 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz122.3 dB119.7 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz121.1 dB119.0 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz120.4 dB118.7 dB
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)121.4 dB119.4 dB
Dimensions25”H x 17.2”W x 24”D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm)20”H x 19.5”W x 21.2”D (508.0 x 495.3 x 538.5 mm)
Weight85.1 lbs (38.6 kg)166.9 lbs (75.7 kg)
Warranty7/2(+3)-
Cabinet Colorblack-
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Measurement SourceManufacturerAudioholics
Drivers15” (381mm) driver17” driver, dual voice coil
Output SPL at 10 Hz-76.7 dB
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz-90.7 dB
Output SPL at 16 Hz-107.0 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz-119.8 dB
Frequency Response-15-320Hz, ±3dB
Amplifier Power-2800W RMS
Inputs-XLR (balanced, LFE/stereo), 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 PB17-Ultra R-Evolution at Amazon ($2,599.00) →

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

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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

Older models: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK4 (rated 3.8/5), the HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger (rated 3.7/5) and the HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 (rated 3.7/5).

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 PB17-Ultra R-Evolution: $2,599.00 Amazon eBay

SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution ranking card

Older models: the SVS PB16-Ultra (rated 4.2/5) and the SVS PB13-Ultra (rated 4.1/5).

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing (Standard Mode) records 113.9 dB at 20 Hz and 119.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. Triple 4” ports and a dual voice coil 17” driver deliver earth-shaking output with a +/-3dB window down to 12Hz in Extended Mode.

Cons: At 167 lbs with recessed feet that leave little clearance, moving or repositioning this cabinet is a two-person job at minimum.

Full SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution review and specifications →

AES InputNo
Amplifier Power2800W RMS
Aux InputNo
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)119.4 dB
Coaxial InputNo
CountryUnited States
Dimensions20”H x 19.5”W x 21.2”D (508.0 x 495.3 x 538.5 mm)
Drivers17” driver, dual voice coil
Enclosureported, bottom
Frequency Response15-320Hz, ±3dB
HDMI InputNo
InputsXLR (balanced, LFE/stereo), RCA (LFE/stereo)
Measurement SourceAudioholics
Optical InputNo
Output SPL at 10 Hz76.7 dB
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz90.7 dB
Output SPL at 16 Hz107.0 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz113.9 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz117.5 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz119.4 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz120.1 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz119.7 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz119.0 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz118.7 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz119.8 dB
RCA InputYes
TRS InputNo
USB InputNo
Weight166.9 lbs (75.7 kg)
XLR InputYes
Check current price at Amazon ($2,599.00) →Search eBay for SVS PB17-Ultra R-Evolution →