Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus

I just came across this online re-posted review of a Hsu VTF3 sub (originally printed in The Audiophile Voice magazine, now listed on the Hsu site). Some of you may have seen it before.
What i had not noticed was his comparitive review of the VTF3 with an SVS 16-46 PC near the bottom end of the article. It appears he used test tones and an SPL for some measurements so an attempt for objectivity in his review is clear. Although this review gives the nod to Hsu, the comparitive description of the SVS and Hsu might be helpful to those considering both.

Here is the passage specifically on this comparison:
Part of my testing involved level-matched comparisons between the VTF-3 and several other upscale subs I had on hand. In a test-tone face off against a Velodyne F1800RII, with their outputs matched at 40 Hz, the two systems were subjectively identical down to about 30 Hz. At 20 Hz, the Hsu was 2dB louder than the Velodyne, although at moderately high levels the F1800RII was cleaner sounding at that test-tone frequency, but not by much. With musical selections the differences were impossible to detect at all, and it is likely that nobody could say that the Hsu was not a match for the Velodyne, unless the levels got really loud and low.

Against Hsu’s own TN1220HO model (driven by the new 250-watt Hsu amp mentioned previously), the results were identical in terms of output at both 30 Hz and 20 Hz, although at fairly high levels the TN1220HO was cleaner at 20 Hz. At 30 Hz, they paced each other right up to very high levels. With music, the subs were functionally identical sounding at sane listening levels.

Against an $850 SVS 16-46PC subwoofer, the two were equally clean at 30 Hz, at both soft and moderate levels, but with the SVS not quite so clean at higher levels. At 20 Hz, the units were essentially equal in terms of colorations. However, the SVS sub was 4 or 5 dB down from the Hsu at 20 Hz, with their levels matched at 40 Hz. With musical program sources, the two sounded essentially identical most of the time, with the Hsu perceptibly stronger below 25 Hz if the music contained such signals. This allowed the Hsu to have a slight edge with really super-clean, super-deep bass program sources.

I also gave the Hsu sub maximum-output tests at 31.5 and 20 Hz. In doing so, I locate my measurement microphone at the listening position, 17 feet from the corner-located test unit. Under those conditions, the VTF-3, configured for deepest extension, could cleanly hit 112 dB at 31.5 Hz and 100 dB at 20 Hz. Configured for maximum output, the numbers were 115 and 97 dB, respectively. As a point of reference, the TN1220HO, driven by Hsu’s new amp, could hit 113 dB at 31.5 Hz and 106 dB at 20 Hz. (In a previous review in another journal, using an older Hsu 250-watt amp, I measured 110 dB at 20 Hz. However, I am convinced that a slight change in microphone position skewed my reading.) The F1900RII could hit 114 and 110, and the SVS could hit 113 and 102.

Both the VTF-3 and SVS 16-46PC could play louder at 20 Hz than the limits noted, but in doing so they generated a fair amount of port noise. The TN1220HO and F1800RII were right up against their amp-output ceilings during those tests, and both were clean.

One way to separate the men from the boys with subwoofers is to see how well they perform with near-lethal movie soundtracks. I did my duty and watched the submarine movie U-571 on my living-room system with the VTF-3 handling all the bass. The depth-charge explosions in this film have to be heard to be believed, and believe me, they were heard in full force with the VTF-3.

Interestingly, I also did a brief face off between the VTF-3 and the low-priced VTF-2. For all intents and purposes, the two units sounded the same with typical bass material in a typical room. Only when bass dipped to below 25 Hz did the VTF-2 fall behind the VTF-3, although in a large room, at high output levels, there is little doubt that the bigger sub’s abilities would allow it to pull still further ahead. In its maximum-extension mode, the peak output of the VTF-2 at 31.5 and 20 Hz were 106 dB and 90 dB, respectively. Thus, the VTF-2 isn’t exactly chopped liver, and should be considered sensational for a $450 subwoofer, just not as good as what I got with the VTF-3.

Chess, yeah I trusted that particular review when I decided to buy the VTF-3 sight unseen.

sushi,

I think you need to get your hands on a comparable SVS sub and compare it to your VTF-3.

curtis

Sure, curtis! Just "bring them on!" Oops...

"Against an $850 SVS 16-46PC subwoofer"

The SVS 16-46PC costs $650.00 according to the SVS site. This would mean the comparison was done between a $850 HSU VTF-3 and a $650.00 SVS 16-46PC.. a better price match would be to compare it to the $825 20-39PC-Plus, or the $875 16-46PC-Plus. Both of these models feature a 525watt BASH amplifier, as apposed to the 320watt featured in the 16-46PC.

I wonder how true the wattage ratings are. Hsu is able to achieve great accuracy and output with a 250 watt "rated" amp, whereas SVS has higher ratings in same price range or comparable performance area.

BASH amps are very highly regarded are they not? I would think that the wattage is real, not exagerated.

Is BASH a type of amp, or brand of amp?

Just wondering, according what can be read, Hsu seems to get the control and outpur from a 250 watt amp, which compares to SVS's higher rated amps.

"This high output full-featured digital switching amp was designed by SVS in partnership with one of the most capable and largest original equipment manufacturers in the world."

For all the information, check out:

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pci_features.htm#amp

It looks like BASH is a technology owned by a company called Indigo...

http://www.bashaudio.com/