The Lowdown
The SVS SB12-Plus is a small but capable performer. It cannot shake a house loose from its foundations, but it can provide a tight and musical bass line and shake the room during action movie scenes. Plus, its control features could save the day in a room with acoustic problems. The Klipsch RW-12d was good but not great. It had some impressive moments in which it really surprised me with the quantity of its bass output. But it also had some awkward moments in which the tonal quality just wasn't up to par. The Outlaw LFM-1EX can really kick it, with impressive extension and output. Used in moderation, it sounds really good, though, as is true for any subwoofer, really, sound quality can go downhill when it's pushed too hard. The Velodyne DLS-5000R was a musical delight. Its tonal balance was superb, and under normal conditions, it rarely sounded stressed. It moved more than enough air for movie playback and punched up the action sequences nicely. This is an all-around great-sounding subwoofer with the bonus of a remote control to help you dial it in. The Hsu VTF-3 MK3 is a very impressive subwoofer. Its roomy, robust cabinet makes it an ideal bass launching pad. With the added Turbo boost, it can successfully tackle almost any low-frequency challenge you throw at it. Moreover, it sounds musical, with a smooth tonal balance across its operating range. If you have enough room for its sizable cabinet, and you don't mind its look with the Turbocharger installed, this Hsu Research subwoofer will deliver the goods for you.
