Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the better pick: it ranks #3 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5), against #63 (rated 3.8/5) for the HSU Research VTF-1 MK3.
The MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the better-sounding option. A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued. The catch: Output falls to 86.2dB at 15Hz, so the very lowest effects are weaker than the strong midbass numbers suggest.
Why pick the HSU Research VTF-1 MK3: An affordable ported 10 inch subwoofer with switchable tuning modes and deep bass for smaller rooms, now discontinued. The catch: The cabinet is 42.1 lbs (19.1 kg) and about 50cm tall and 48cm deep, large for a 10 inch subwoofer.
Buy the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued.
An affordable ported 10 inch subwoofer with switchable tuning modes and deep bass for smaller rooms, now discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X | HSU Research VTF-1 MK3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,606.77 Discontinued | $749 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #63 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB | 93.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB | 96.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB | 108.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB | 113.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB | 115.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB | 113.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB | 111.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB | 110.4 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB | 114.4 dB |
| Dimensions | 20.1”H x 17.9”W x 19.1”D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) | 19.5”H x 14.5”W x 19”D (495.3 x 368.3 x 482.6 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 42.1 lbs (19.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | 7/2(+3) |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB | 25Hz (ported) |
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak | 250W RMS / 1000W peak |
| Inputs | RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana) | - |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 10” (254mm) driver |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
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