Short answer: the Reaction Audio PV-15X. It ranks #21 of 110 subwoofers by sound quality at $1999; the JBL 4645C ranks #24 and costs $4999, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

What the Reaction Audio PV-15X offers: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet. Watch for: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg.
What the JBL 4645C offers: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room. Watch for: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Buy the Reaction Audio PV-15X. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL 4645C and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Reaction Audio PV-15X | JBL 4645C | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 Discontinued | $4999 Passive |
| Ranked | #21 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) | #24 of 110 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 105.3 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 111.3 dB | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.1 dB | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.8 dB | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 125.3 dB | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.1 dB | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.5 dB | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 126.4 dB | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.1 dB | 135.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.2 dB | 127.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 18"H x 22"W x 29"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass | Data-bass |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs (68 kg) | 138 lbs (62.6 kg) |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Passive | - | Yes |
| Warranty | - | 5/3/2 |
| Cabinet Color | - | black |
| Country | - | United States |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Reaction Audio PV-15X:
- JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter PRO vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter LFU vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- Power Sound Audio (PSA) TRIAX vs Reaction Audio PV-15X
Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 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
Reaction Audio PV-15X: $1999 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 15-inch ported driver delivers 126.2dB CEA-2010-A average from a purpose-built cinema-style cabinet.
Cons: Passive design requires a separate external amplifier and weighs 68 kg. Discontinued.
Full Reaction Audio PV-15X review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 126.2 dB |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 18"H x 22"W x 29"D (457.2 x 558.8 x 736.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15" (381mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 105.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 111.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 119.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 125.3 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 126.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 126.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 126.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 126.1 dB |
| Weight | 149.9 lbs (68 kg) |
- 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
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator 2400
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Funk Audio Ultra 21.0LX
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Monoprice Monolith M-215
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- Reaction Audio PV-15X vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL 4645C: $4999 Passive eBay
Pros: Independent CEA-2010 testing records 98.9 dB at 20 Hz and 127.3 dB through 40-80 Hz. The ported, front enclosure with 18” (457mm) driver is best suited to upper-bass support in a modest room.
Cons: Deep-bass output is limited relative to its midbass result, so it is not the right choice for the lowest movie effects. The 1009.6H x 673.1W x 450.8D mm cabinet and 62.6 kg mass still need deliberate placement and calibration.
Full JBL 4645C review and specifications →
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 127.3 dB |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Color | black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 39.7"H x 26.5"W x 17.7"D (1009.6 x 673.1 x 450.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 18" (457mm) driver |
| Enclosure | ported, front |
| Measurement Source | Data-bass |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 98.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 114.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 118.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 122.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 123.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 129.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 133.9 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 135.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 135.8 dB |
| Passive | Yes |
| Warranty | 5/3/2 |
| Weight | 138 lbs (62.6 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
- JBL 4645C vs Monoprice Monolith 16 THX Ultra
- JBL 4645C vs Chase Home Theater SS18.1
- JBL 4645C vs Danley Sound Labs DTS10
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Growler (2015)
- JBL 4645C vs JTR Speakers Captivator S2
- JBL 4645C vs Pro Audio Technology LFC-24sm
- JBL 4645C vs WW Speaker Cabinets X21 - B&C 21DS115-4
- JBL 4645C vs HSU Research VTF-3 MK5 HP

