JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger

Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 on measured sound quality, the HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger on price. The JTR Speakers Captivator S2 ranks #9 of 110 subwoofers at $3995. The HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger ranks #100 at $1599, $2396 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 HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 101.6 dB at 20 Hz and 112.8 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, rear 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 546.1H x 431.8W x 635.0D mm cabinet and 40.8 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Buy the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger if the price matters more than sound quality.

Skip the HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers.

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.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger: $1599 eBay

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 101.6 dB at 20 Hz and 112.8 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, rear 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 546.1H x 431.8W x 635.0D mm cabinet and 40.8 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Full HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger review and specifications →

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	112.8 dB
Country	United States
Dimensions	21.5"H x 17"W x 25"D (546.1 x 431.8 x 635.0 mm)
Drivers	12" (305mm) driver
Enclosure	ported, rear
Measurement Source	Ilkka Rissanen
Output SPL at 15 Hz	100.6 dB
Output SPL at 20 Hz	101.6 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	102.6 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	106.5 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	110.8 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	112.9 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	113.5 dB
Output SPL at 80 Hz	113.8 dB
Weight	89.9 lbs (40.8 kg)

• Links
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger 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
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger vs Monoprice Monolith M12-S
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK3
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
  • HSU Research VTF-3 MK3 with Turbocharger vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra