Man, oh man. Xmas won't suck after all. The better half has given me the go ahead in a plan of action to purchase a decent sub. I have spoken to Dr. HSU. He has told me the HSU Vtf 2 would work for my 12X20 ft living room. Something tells me, though, that it wouldn't be much of an upgrade though, output wise over my JBL PB12. Does anyone own this sub? If so, how does it compare to the VTF3?? I've also spoken to someone over at SVS. They seem to think that this is a rather large area and that at a minimum I need a larger sub than that. They say I need a PB12+ or a PCI 20-39+ at least. I was considering the PCI 25-31, but that would probably not fill the room according to SVS. Is the HSU VTF2 that good or does SVS like overkill? I have considered the Axiom EP500, but I'd have to purchase from the FO and I don't want to wait 5 weeks. Another option is the Mirage Omni s12 which I have seen on sale online this holiday season. Please, someone point me in the right direction. The Mrs. seems to be leaning towards the HSU VTF3 until she saw the sale price on the Mirage. HELP?
Well, they ARE having a sale over at HSU on the VTF 2 and 3's. Also you can get a discount if you preorder the VTF3 HO. Just look in their forum. An EP500 from FO would rock you like the proverbial hurricane as well.
I might have a VTF-3 MK2 available for sale soon. Might shoot me a PM if you're interested.
Sutter
He likee's, he just likes his 500 better.
I LOVE my VTF2. Fills my 19x27 room fine. I'm sure the corner placement doesn't hurt either...
Got it on bstock so it was pretty cheap. Doing it over again, I'd get the piano black, that's gorgeous. Haven't compared to other subs though. Blissful ignorance...
Oh no, I likee a lot, that sub kicks a$$, it's just I don't have a need for it anymore with the arrival of my new EP500.
Sutter
Congrats on the go ahead for a new sub.I have a VTF-2 MK1 in a room that is 13.5x20x7 and it handles the room pretty darn good.I suspect it would do a great job for you.If by chance you get a good deal on a VTF-3MK2 from a gracious forum member here then I would say jump on it.
I too have a VTF-2 MKI. A great sub indeed, but having heard the VTF-3, If I had to do it over again, I'd get the VTF-3 (or an EP500)
Bruce, I have great respect for both Dr. Hsu and Tom at SVS(if he's the one you talked to), but I can't imagine that either the VTF-2 or PCI 25-31 wouldn't be fine for your average-sized room(if you don't want to be blown away by an EP-500).
There's the rub. On one hand, I want to get as much sub as I can possibly afford, while on the other hand, I think to myself that I don't really need all that. Where does overkill begin???
In reply to:
Where does overkill begin???
There's no such thing
Get as much as you can afford.
Consider the following logic:
1) You will always wonder...
2) You can never have enough headroom...
3) It will curb the desire the upgrade, at least temporarily.
4) If you ever half to move to a larger room, you won't have to upgrade.
I don't know if you have the Bland over at the forum that shall remain nameless recommends spending $1-2 per cubic foot.
The key word here is temporarily.
Update time, sort of. I feel like a pinball, one moment I'm going to order the HSU VTF2 or 3, the next I'm over at SVS looking at the SVS PCI 25-31 PCI(+). The next moment I'm thinking, the JBL is good enough. What I really need is a kick ass tower speaker, such as the M60s in place ot the M22s. The next moment I'm thinking the EP500 is the safest bet. My brain is about to explode. Help! Xmas is only 12 days away. AY, KARUMBA!
I no longer get upgradeitis since I got the VTF-3. Barring a some sort of disaster, I think it'll be the last sub I'll ever buy....unless I might need two of them.
Now that I have sub-upgradis, I hear that HSU is upgrading the VTF line, the VTF3HO has a 500 watt amp and will be available Jan. 15th, and the VTF2HO will have a 350 watt amp with no available delivery date. The smaller one is right down my ally, but who knows when one could latch on to that. I want one now, dagnabbit. WAH! Stomping feet on floor, repeately, like a big baby. BAM, BAM, BAM
Just purchase the VTF-2 and don't worry much about it. You can add on the Turbo Charger, which will make it pretty close to the HO.
Sutter
I finally pulled the trigger half-an-hour ago. I went with the VTF3. I didn't want to have any "I wish I hads". I can hardly wait to see that new T-shirt. I wonder who I'm going to give it to. I would like to thank everyone who has given me advice regarding this upgrade. May you all have a Merry Xmas and a happy new year.
Congrats buddy! Keep your eye open for those new Turbo's they're fixing to release. I think they're going to go for about $200 and will make your VTF pretty close to the HO.
Sutter
Is it just me, or does the
Hsu turbo charger look like a device a doctor might use during a mammogram?
Regardless, it's ugly as sin.
LOL, the thing isn't as big as looks in person. I think I was told it's only about 10" tall, if that. It also can be removed if/when not in use.
Sutter
Congrats on the new sub, you're gonna love it I'm sure.
Gotta be some small boobs to fit it it.
In reply to:
Good lord that's fugly.
No kidding. My first impression is an 'afterthought'.
Agreed. It also looks like it is side-firing rather than down-firing. That thing's got lower WAF than the cylinder subs.
I wonder if you can put it on its side... rotate it 90 degrees around the axis of the woofer. That would make it look similar to my CSW sub. Which means it might pass WAF...
Personally, I don't think I would be interested in that. If the VTF3 does what I've heard it does, that will be all the bass I'll ever need.
If it turns out I am dissatisfied, which I am 90% sure I won't be, I will return it and climb up the ladder to the EP500. I just wanted a sub better than my JBL. It appears that I have been successful in that endeavor. I considered SVS, but they just had too many choices to consider, and didn't have an 1-800 number to call, whereas the people at HSU were easily accessible, friendly, and answered my questions. The 50% off shipping for the holidays was really an added incentive which pushed me in that direction. Ordering the VTF3 vs waiting for HO models was a tough decision, though. I considered waiting, but then, I started thinking, that this sub has too be a little better than my son's PSB, which I actually like. In the end, the VTF3 became a no brainer and for less $ than I would have spent downtown. For now, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
That's cool man, it was just a suggestion.
Sutter
turbocharged, huh? so does this thing have a turbine that is powered from the port exhaust to aid in the introduction of air into the cabinet? and does it improve driver response?
Here's what Peter Marcks (HSU Rep) said in explaining what the turbo charger is, and what it does.
In reply to:
The 'turbocharger' is essentially a port extension that attaches to the rear port(s) on the VTF (or STF-3) subwoofer, extends outward and upward in a U-shaped fashion, and then fires forward on top of the existing subwoofer. The 'turbocharger' ports are housed in a box no more than ten inches high and no more than half the depth of the subwoofer, and the unit should be easily removeable if desired when not in use.
By extending the port length, the 'turbocharger' allows us to effectively lower the tuning point of the subwoofer without reducing available port flow area (as is the case with existing variable tuning solutions, where port flow area is reduced by 33-50% with each lower tuning point), and without compromising floorspace.
There is more to the story than meets the eye with respect to the upgrade option for MK2 owners, but I need to keep quiet about that for now!
Sutter
no kidding it's ugly ( the Turbo charger that is). Not to mention that the vtf3 is already tall enough without it. No way Ican stick that under my screen. And my woman thought it was hideous.
Now, the good news is, I don't need it. The VTF3-MKII is nothing short of amazing. Music, HT, even gaming, I have more bass then my house can handle. Do i "need" more, heck no. I only got the volume on 1/4 now as it is. The VTF hits low and hard like no other sub I've heard even twice it's cost or more. And it's not slow like most 12" subs.
You'll be happy, I'll bet on it.
I have seen the HO/Turbo combo in the maple finish and think it looks better than the black. I thought the forward facing ports would be tough to look at, and in the picture, the ports seem to be enlarged by the lens/camera angle....in person, I think it looks pretty good, certainly no worse than some other subs I have seen. Hsu has never been known for a nice website and pictures.
One thing to remember, and something I was reminded of in another post, as far as physics are concerned, The VTF-3HO/Turbo has more port flow area than any other commercial subwoofer in 16-18hz tune .....on top of that, the 3HO takes up less floorspace with those that it will compete with.
I wish it came in different finishes, even at a cost premium.
In reply to:
I wish it came in different finishes, even at a cost premium.
Given time I'm sure they will, I think they just want to concentrate on getting them on the market first.
The VTF3 arrived last night.
I hope that puppy shrinks considerably once I remove it from the shipping box. Hopefully, there are 3 boxes or maybe 4. Or maybe it's just huge.
The VTF3 is a perfect size sub. Don't worry.
I had a similar thought when my STF 3 arrived but not to worry you will get used to the size real quick.
It shrunk.
I got it in place, in corner of the room. I hardly notice it's there. It is a definite upgrade to my crappy old JBL. After one day, I believe I have purchased a good product, but maybe not as superlative as indicated by some of the reviews I have read. Please don't try to read anything into the but comment. I am happy I purchased this product. It has added dynamics to both music and movies. I think you would have to look long and hard to find a better sounding system for what I have invested in it. While listening to some music yesterday, my thought pattern went something like this--this is really nice, but even a nice sub+bookshelves doesn't quite match a good pair of floorstanders when it comes to 2 channel music. I guess my next purchase may have to be towers. Don't tell Mama, please!
Bruce, sometimes it is hard to find the right crossover point so that the sub blends seamlessly with the speakers. It may even require some placement fiddling (if that is an option). For me, I found level matching with the main speakers to be critical for two channel listening. If the sub was turned up a hair too much it became too prominent. It's all a preference thing, though.
I spent an afternoon playing the same song over and over while using the sub and then just the speakers. I wanted to see which sound I preferred. Turns out I liked the speakers sans sub. I found it more acceptable to give up the bottom octaves in return for a smoother crossover transition. But, again, that is just my preference. Many others on the board wouldn't go without the sub for anything--you just gotta find what you like.
In reply to:
It shrunk.
Well, it
is cold outside...
I did some tweaking to the HSU and I have say what most who have this fine product have said about it. Man, I love this sub. This is more than an upgrade to my old JBL. Just include me in the growing list of happy HSU sub owners.
Do you run it in 20hz or 25hz mode ?
I'm running it in the 25 hz or maximum output mode. Which is preferable?
It's all according to how you like it. Most run the VTF 3 in the 20 Hz mode especially for H/T that would be the way to go. I have a STF 3 that I run with one port blocked and it seems to have a smoother response this way.