Short answer: the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra if sound quality matters most, the Hsu Research VTF-TN1 if price matters most. The Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra ranks #18 of 110 subwoofers at $2300. The Hsu Research VTF-TN1 ranks #86 at $1199, $1101 cheaper.
What the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra offers: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it. Watch for: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
What the Hsu Research VTF-TN1 offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing (2 ports open) records 107.8 dB at 20 Hz and 117.6 dB through 40-80 Hz. Variable tuning via dual 4” down-firing ports lets the 15” driver reach 15Hz in Max Extension mode or 18Hz in Max Output mode. Extremely low distortion until the highest drive levels. Watch for: The tall 29.5” cabinet has an unusual footprint compared to squatter subs in this class.
Buy the Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Hsu Research VTF-TN1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Skip the Hsu Research VTF-TN1 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 110 subwoofers.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra | Hsu Research VTF-TN1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,300 | $1,199 |
| Ranked | #18 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #86 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, front | ported, variable tuning |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB | 110.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB | 112.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB | 116.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB | 118.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB | 119.1 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB | 117.6 dB |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) | 29.5"H x 18.5"W x 18.5"D (749.3 x 469.9 x 469.9 mm) |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver | 15" driver |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 94.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | - | 103.0 dB |
| Amplifier Power | - | 600W RMS |
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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
Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra: $2,300 eBay
Pros: 16-inch ported driver and THX Ultra certification deliver 126.5dB CEA-2010-A average at a fraction of the price of the subwoofers ranked above it.
Cons: Heavy at 78 kg and ported design can interact with room acoustics.
Notes: Product # 42031
Full Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.5 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 25.6"H x 22"W x 28.1"D (650.2 x 558.8 x 713.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 16" (406mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 107.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 123.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 125.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 126.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 127.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 127.6 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 171.5 lbs (77.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
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- See all 88 comparisons
Hsu Research VTF-TN1: $1,199 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing (2 ports open) records 107.8 dB at 20 Hz and 117.6 dB through 40-80 Hz. Variable tuning via dual 4” down-firing ports lets the 15” driver reach 15Hz in Max Extension mode or 18Hz in Max Output mode. Extremely low distortion until the highest drive levels.
Cons: The tall 29.5” cabinet has an unusual footprint compared to squatter subs in this class.
Full Hsu Research VTF-TN1 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 600W RMS |
|---|---|
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 117.6 dB |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 29.5"H x 18.5"W x 18.5"D (749.3 x 469.9 x 469.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 15" driver |
| Enclosure | ported, variable tuning |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 94.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 16 Hz | 103.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 107.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 110.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 112.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 116.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 117.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 118.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.1 dB |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independently measured by Audioholics; the published figures above come from this ASR subwoofer measurement thread.