JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Genelec HTS4B

Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 on measured sound quality, the Genelec HTS4B on price. The JTR Speakers Captivator S2 ranks #9 of 110 subwoofers at $3995. The Genelec HTS4B ranks #105 at $2995, $1000 cheaper.

What the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.1 dB at 20 Hz and 129.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 18” (457mm) drivers has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 1016.0H x 533.4W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 99.8 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.

What the Genelec HTS4B offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 97.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The passive radiator enclosure with 12” (305mm) 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 517.4H x 482.6W x 465.1D mm cabinet and 37.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Buy the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec HTS4B if the price matters more than sound quality.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Genelec HTS4B. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers, so look higher up the list instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

JTR Speakers Captivator S2: $3995 eBay

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 115.1 dB at 20 Hz and 129.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 18” (457mm) drivers has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.

Cons: The 1016.0H x 533.4W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 99.8 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.

Notes: Replaced by “RS2”

Full JTR Speakers Captivator S2 review and specifications →

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	129.4 dB
Country	United States
Dimensions	40"H x 21"W x 18"D (1016.0 x 533.4 x 457.2 mm)
Drivers	2x 18" (457mm) drivers
Enclosure	sealed
Measurement Source	Data-bass
Output SPL at 10 Hz	100.3 dB
Output SPL at 12.5 Hz	103.3 dB
Output SPL at 15 Hz	108.7 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz	115.1 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	119.7 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	124.8 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	129.3 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	130.3 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	129.4 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	128.5 dB
Output SPL at 100 Hz	128.1 dB
Output SPL at 125 Hz	128.0 dB
Warranty	5/3
Weight	220 lbs (99.8 kg)

• Links
  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Independently measured by Data-bass; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
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Genelec HTS4B: $2995 eBay

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 97.9 dB at 20 Hz and 110.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The passive radiator enclosure with 12” (305mm) 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 517.4H x 482.6W x 465.1D mm cabinet and 37.0 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Full Genelec HTS4B review and specifications →

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	110.3 dB
Country	Finland
Dimensions	20.4"H x 19"W x 18.3"D (517.4 x 482.6 x 465.1 mm)
Drivers	12" (305mm) driver
Enclosure	passive radiator
Measurement Source	Ilkka Rissanen
Output SPL at 15 Hz	92.1 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz	97.9 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	100.2 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	103.3 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	107.3 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	110.1 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	111.6 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	112.3 dB
Warranty	2(+3)
Weight	81.6 lbs (37.0 kg)

• Links
  • Genelec HTS4B Website
• 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
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