Short answer: the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 for better sound quality, the SVS SB13-Plus for the lower price. The JTR Speakers Captivator S2 ranks #9 of 110 subwoofers at $3995. The SVS SB13-Plus ranks #108 at $1399, $2596 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 SVS SB13-Plus offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 92.3 dB at 20 Hz and 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 13” (330mm) 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 431.8H x 431.8W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 43.1 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the JTR Speakers Captivator S2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the SVS SB13-Plus when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
The SVS SB13-Plus is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers; there are better options higher up.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JTR Speakers Captivator S2 | SVS SB13-Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3995 | $1399 |
| Ranked | #9 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #108 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| 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 | 92.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 119.7 dB | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 124.8 dB | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 129.3 dB | 108.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 130.3 dB | 108.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.4 dB | 108.1 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 | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 129.4 dB | 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 40"H x 21"W x 18"D (1016.0 x 533.4 x 457.2 mm) | 17"H x 17"W x 18"D (431.8 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm) |
| Weight | 220 lbs (99.8 kg) | 95 lbs (43.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 5/3 | 5 |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Brent Butterworth |
| Drivers | 2x 18" (457mm) drivers | 13" (330mm) driver |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JTR Speakers Captivator S2:
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- 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 Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) T18
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) V3600I
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Ultra 24.0
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 215PRO
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Captivator 4000ULF
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Funk Audio Custom 21.0
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX
- JTR Speakers Captivator S2 vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- See all 48 comparisons
SVS SB13-Plus: $1399 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 92.3 dB at 20 Hz and 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 13” (330mm) 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 431.8H x 431.8W x 457.2D mm cabinet and 43.1 kg mass still require deliberate placement and calibration.
Full SVS SB13-Plus review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 108.1 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 17"H x 17"W x 18"D (431.8 x 431.8 x 457.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 13" (330mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Brent Butterworth |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 92.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 97.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 108.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 108.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 108.1 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 95 lbs (43.1 kg) |
- Links
- 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
- SVS SB13-Plus vs Monoprice THX 121456
- SVS SB13-Plus vs BK Electronics Monolith-DF
- SVS SB13-Plus vs RSL (Rogersound Labs) Speedwoofer 12S
- SVS SB13-Plus vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK3
- SVS SB13-Plus vs Rythmik F18
- SVS SB13-Plus vs SVS PB-4000
- SVS SB13-Plus vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP
- SVS SB13-Plus vs Rythmik FV15HP
- See all 16 comparisons

