Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater deciding between sub HSU STF-2 and VTF-2 Mark 2

Hi all,
I have decided on axiom speakers for my home thearter. Now it's time to pick out the sub. I think i will get HSU. However, there are two models, STF-2 and VTF-2.I think they're both pretty much the same , except the price is $100 diff. Could you please share some experience with these sub? which one should i get for my 12x14 room size.

thanks a lot.

audiofan,

according to MANY on this board, you cant go wrong with either of those.. from what i understand, they are basically the same wattage but the VTF gives you a greater ability to 'tweak' the signal and make the sound more applicable to whatever you are listening to(rock, classical, HT, etc).. but then it comes down to, are you gonna be wanting to make finite adjustments everytime you put in a different cd/dvd?? i could be wrong on this, but thats the way i understood it by reading the info on the HSU website.

bottom line though, if you go with HSU, you will not disappointed.. no matter which one you choose..

and by the way, dont listen to spiffnme.. when it comes to subs, he hasnt a clue, and he certainly doesnt have an opinion...hehe.... this will make sense once he sees your post..

sorry spiff.. i had to crack on someone...

bigjohn

Actually John, the only mistake involved is that neither of these are SVS subs.

I formerly had an STF-2 and now have a VTF-3R. In general I think the benefits of "variable tuning" are slightly over blown. My STF-2 sounded great and so does the VTF-3R. I've tried "max output" vs "max extension" mode on the VTF-3, and I can't tell that much difference. I usually leave it in max output mode. There's so little material except organ music that goes down to 18-20Hz, I don't see the point of max extension mode in most cases.

BTW don't think Axiom subs are without merit. Hsu and SVS are recommended so often, it can appear that Axiom subs aren't worth considering. However in the below thread an EP175 was compared to an STF-2, and after calibration they were judged about the same (see last post on the thread)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=HT&Number=34633&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

The VTF-2 Mk2 can have an advantage in aesthetics, if the rosewood or glossy piano black finishes are important to you. OTOH the Axiom subs visually match your other Axiom speakers.

oh, i forgot, ray is digging on the SVS subs.. but they are even $100 more than the VTF, so it comes down to price-vs-performance..

i will let spiff and ray continue this battle..

they know WAY more than me, and i aint be sarcastic.. these guys know their stuff..

bigjohn

Thank you all for your input. I think STF-2 works fine for me and I can save a bit money for surround speaker stand....:)

I have the STF-2 and am very happy with it.

I never knock SVS...I just alway recommend the Hsu, because I know what I've heard. (Having never heard an SVS yet.)

I have the VTF-2 and have to say I never switch it from max extension mode. The STF line wasn't available when I made my purchase or I would have gone with one. I'm not much of a tweaker. I like to (this is the audience participation part...) "Set it and forget it!".

i just bought a stf-2 to go along with my axiom m60s, vp150, & qs8s

this setup should do the trick

Spiff, next time you're in the SF bay area, plan a side trip to Oakland to come listen to my SVS.

With any luck I'll be hearing an SVS near here soon. I'll of course post my thoughts.

spiff, do you know which SVS you'll be able to hear locally? I've not heard an HSU, but I would like to.

Pete, how do you like the PB1? I think it is the box version of my 20-39PCi. In my 16x22x10 room, I have the gain at about 45% and if I run it 2-3db hot, it is absolutely overwhelming. Right after I hooked it up, we watched LOTR - Fellowship. Even though my first "sub" was only a Velo CHT-10 that the room swallowed, I kind of knew what the SVS might be capable of. My wife - no clue. When the first major LFE poured out of that thing, the look on my wife's face was priceless.

How big is your room and how does the thing perform for you? I am amazed at guys with 2 subs or some of the really monster-powered ones. What is the point. You can only implode from bone-crushing LFE once. After that, you are dead anyhow.

My room is only 12'x13'x8', so the PB1 has more than enough power to create crushing forces on my ribcage. The gain is no more than 25% up on the dial, and I run it flat most of the time.

I can't imagine having a PB2 -- two 12" drivers and twice the amp power!

With any luck, the SVS PB1-ISD.

spiff, once you do the audition, I would really be interested in hearing your impressions and a comparison between yours and the SVS.

FWIW, I just got the STF-2 following a similar bout of hand-wringing, comparing it (unfairly) to the SVS PB1 and the VTF-2.

So far, I'm really pleased. I still have some placement experiments and acoustics issues to deal with, but the sub has been a revelation on music and movies.

The float plane taking off at the beginning of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" made me giggle like a little kid. I still can't get the grin off my face.

The only reason I was considering the VTF is because the STF was on backorder. But I got it within a week of ordering (shipping, usually $25, was free).

Dr. Hsu told me the STF was enough for my room (13x19), so it should work great for you.

Enjoy.

Ahh, the golden words - "I'm really pleased".

Great shrubber! I'm so glad you're enjoying your STF-2.