Short answer: the JTR Speakers Growler (2015). It ranks #13 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $2995; the JBL 4645C ranks #24, rated 4.4/5, and costs $4999, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JTR Speakers Growler (2015): 12-inch ported driver reaches 130.2dB CEA-2010-A average, nearly matching the class leader for about $2004 less. Set against that: Ported design room interaction, 45 kg (99.2 lbs) size, and $2,995 cost.
Buy the JTR Speakers Growler (2015). It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL 4645C and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL 4645C | JTR Speakers Growler (2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4999 Passive | $2995 Passive |
| Ranked | #24 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #13 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, front |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.9 dB | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.0 dB | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.7 dB | 106.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.0 dB | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.7 dB | 130.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB | 133.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 133.9 dB | 134.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.1 dB | 135.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 135.8 dB | 136.0 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB | 130.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) | 22.5"H x 30"W x 20"D (571.5 x 762.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Weight | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) | 100.1 lbs (45.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/3/2 | 5 years |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver | 12" (305mm) driver |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JTR Speakers Growler (2015) compares with other leading options:
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- Danley Sound Labs DTS10 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL 4645C: $4999 Passive eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room.
Cons: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Full JBL 4645C review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 135.8 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5/3/2 |
| Weight | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL 4645C vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JBL 4645C vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JBL 4645C vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- JBL 4645C vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JBL 4645C vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JBL 4645C vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JBL 4645C vs HSU Research VTF-15H MK2
- See all 9 comparisons
JTR Speakers Growler (2015): $2995 Passive eBay
Pros: 12-inch ported driver reaches 130.2dB CEA-2010-A average, nearly matching the class leader for about $1,000 less.
Cons: Ported design room interaction, 45 kg size, and $2995 cost.
Notes: Looks like “PA sub”
Full JTR Speakers Growler (2015) review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 130.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 30"W x 20"D (571.5 x 762.0 x 508.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 12" (305mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 92.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 106.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 130.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 133.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 134.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 136.0 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Weight | 100.1 lbs (45.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Harbinger V2218S
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Funk Audio Classic 18.0
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JTR Speakers Growler (2015) vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- See all 22 comparisons