HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS SB13-Plus

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Short answer: the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks #52 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $1049; the SVS SB13-Plus ranks #108 and costs $1399, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP vs SVS SB13-Plus

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 SB13-Plus offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 92.3 dB at 20 Hz and 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 13” (330mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music. Watch for: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 431.8H x 431.8W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 43.1 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP. It ranks higher for sound quality than the SVS SB13-Plus and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the SVS SB13-Plus. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers, so look higher up the list instead.

Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.

Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP SVS SB13-Plus
Price$1,099$1399
Ranked#52 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)#108 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs)
Enclosureported, frontsealed
Output SPL at 15 Hz100.8 dB-
Output SPL at 20 Hz108.2 dB92.3 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz113.4 dB97.2 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz118.2 dB97.2 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz121.9 dB108.1 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz122.3 dB108.1 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz121.1 dB108.1 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz120.4 dB-
CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)121.4 dB108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands)
Dimensions25"H x 17.2"W x 24"D (635.0 x 438.1 x 609.6 mm)17"H x 17"W x 18"D (431.8 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm)
Weight85.1 lbs (38.6 kg)95 lbs (43.1 kg)
Warranty7/2(+3)5
Cabinet Colorblack-
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
Measurement SourceManufacturerBrent Butterworth
Drivers15" (381mm) driver13" (330mm) driver
Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP at HSU Research ($1,049.00) →

How HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP compares with other leading options:

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

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 SB13-Plus: $1399 eBay

SVS SB13-Plus ranking card

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 92.3 dB at 20 Hz and 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 13” (330mm) driver delivers substantial upper-bass output for movie effects and music.

Cons: Deep-bass output is more limited than the strong 40-80 Hz result suggests, so it is not the right choice when the lowest movie effects are the priority. The 431.8H x 431.8W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 43.1 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Full SVS SB13-Plus review and specifications →

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands)
CountryUnited States
Dimensions17"H x 17"W x 18"D (431.8 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm)
Drivers13" (330mm) driver
Enclosuresealed
Measurement SourceBrent Butterworth
Output SPL at 20 Hz92.3 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz97.2 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz97.2 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz108.1 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz108.1 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz108.1 dB
Warranty5
Weight95 lbs (43.1 kg)
Search eBay for SVS SB13-Plus →