Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF for the higher ranking, the Reaction Audio PV-15X for the lower price. The JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF ranks #4 of 97 subwoofers at $5000. The Reaction Audio PV-15X ranks #16 at $1999, $3001 cheaper.
What the Reaction Audio PV-15X gets right: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet. The tradeoff: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg.
One note: the Reaction Audio PV-15X is discontinued, but it still ranks #16 of 97 subwoofers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Reaction Audio PV-15X if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF | Reaction Audio PV-15X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,000 | $1999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #16 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 111.0 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 115.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 119.3 dB | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 122.3 dB | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 126.1 dB | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 129.3 dB | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 130.7 dB | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 131.2 dB | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 130.9 dB | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 130.6 dB | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 130.5 dB | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 129.5 dB | 126.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 130.8 dB | 126.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 41.0"H x 20.5"W x 39.5"D (1041.4 x 520.7 x 1003.3 mm) | 18.0"H x 22.0"W x 29.0"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Weight | 265 lbs / 120.2 kg | 149.9 lbs / 68 kg |
| Warranty | 5/3 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black, custom | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Data-bass |
| Drivers | 2x 18" (457mm) driver | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF: $5,000
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 130.8 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, custom |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 41.0"H x 20.5"W x 39.5"D (1041.4 x 520.7 x 1003.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 115.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 119.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 122.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 129.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 130.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 131.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 130.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 130.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 130.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 129.5 dB |
| Warranty | 5/3 |
| Weight | 265 lbs / 120.2 kg |
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs JTR Speakers Captivator 215PRO
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- See all 15 comparisons
- Links
Reaction Audio PV-15X: $1999 Discontinued
Pros: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet.
Cons: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg. Discontinued.
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18.0"H x 22.0"W x 29.0"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs / 68 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 2400
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Funk Audio Ultra 21.0LX
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO
- See all 17 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.

