Short answer: the RTJ Audio 18Sub. It ranks #26 of 97 subwoofers by sound quality at $7000; the Perlisten Audio D215s ranks #27 and costs $9000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Perlisten Audio D215s offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.2 dB at 20 Hz and 123.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 15” (381mm) drivers has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 805.2H x 500.4W x 650.2D mm cabinet and 91.8 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 RTJ Audio 18Sub offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.1 dB at 20 Hz and 123.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room. Watch for: The 571.5H x 571.5W x 381.0D mm cabinet and 54.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Buy the RTJ Audio 18Sub. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Perlisten Audio D215s and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.

Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten Audio D215s | RTJ Audio 18Sub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9,000 | $7,000 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #26 of 97 in Large Powered Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 93.0 dB | 93.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 98.8 dB | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 104.3 dB | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 109.2 dB | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.3 dB | 113.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 117.2 dB | 117.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 120.8 dB | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.8 dB | 123.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 124.0 dB | 124.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 125.0 dB | 124.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 125.6 dB | 124.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.6 dB | 124.7 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 123.2 dB | 123.4 dB |
| Dimensions | 31.7"H x 19.7"W x 25.6"D (805.2 x 500.4 x 650.2 mm) | 22.5"H x 22.5"W x 15"D (571.5 x 571.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Weight | 202.4 lbs / 91.8 kg | 119.9 lbs / 54.4 kg |
| Warranty | 5 | ? |
| Cabinet Color | black, custom | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Drivers | 2x 15" (381mm) drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM 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
Perlisten Audio D215s: $9,000 eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.2 dB at 20 Hz and 123.2 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 2x 15” (381mm) drivers has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 805.2H x 500.4W x 650.2D mm cabinet and 91.8 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks.
Full Perlisten Audio D215s review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 123.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black, custom |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 31.7"H x 19.7"W x 25.6"D (805.2 x 500.4 x 650.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 15" (381mm) drivers |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 93.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 98.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 104.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 109.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 117.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 122.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 124.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 125.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 125.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.6 dB |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Weight | 202.4 lbs / 91.8 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
RTJ Audio 18Sub: $7,000 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 109.1 dB at 20 Hz and 123.4 dB through 40-80 Hz. The sealed enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver has the headroom for demanding film bass in a large room.
Cons: The 571.5H x 571.5W x 381.0D mm cabinet and 54.4 kg mass make this a serious placement and moving commitment. A sealed cabinet still needs careful placement and calibration to avoid room-mode peaks. Discontinued.
Notes: Made by JTR Audio (spelled backwards)
Full RTJ Audio 18Sub review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 123.4 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 22.5"W x 15"D (571.5 x 571.5 x 381.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics |
| Output SPL at 10 Hz | 93.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | 97.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 103.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 109.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 113.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 117.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 121.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 124.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 124.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 124.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 124.7 dB |
| Warranty | ? |
| Weight | 119.9 lbs / 54.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples

