JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Kreisel Sound DXD-12012

Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 for better sound quality, the Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 for the lower price. The JTR Speakers Captivator S2 ranks #9 of 110 subwoofers at $3995. The Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 ranks #90 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 Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.7 dB at 20 Hz and 116.5 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 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 602.0H x 389.9W x 492.0D mm cabinet and 36.6 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Buy the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 if the price matters more than sound quality.

The Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers; there are better options higher up.

Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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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

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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  • JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
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Kreisel Sound DXD-12012: $2,995 eBay

Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.7 dB at 20 Hz and 116.5 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 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 602.0H x 389.9W x 492.0D mm cabinet and 36.6 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.

Full Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 review and specifications →

CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz)	116.5 dB (avg of 3/4 bands)
Cabinet Color	black
Country	United States
Dimensions	23.7"H x 15.4"W x 19.4"D (602.0 x 389.9 x 492.0 mm)
Drivers	2x 12" (305mm) driver
Enclosure	sealed
Measurement Source	Brent Butterworth
Output SPL at 20 Hz	98.7 dB
Output SPL at 25 Hz	104.3 dB
Output SPL at 31.5 Hz	106.7 dB
Output SPL at 40 Hz	115.2 dB
Output SPL at 50 Hz	117.1 dB
Output SPL at 63 Hz	117.2 dB
Warranty	5
Weight	80.7 lbs (36.6 kg)

• Links
  • Kreisel Sound DXD-12012 Website
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Independently measured by Brent Butterworth; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
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