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Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12367 06/21/03 04:17 AM
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I'm about to upgrade my 10" sub, and I'm considering the Hsu VTF-3 and the SVS 20-39 PC-Plus. I would like recommendations -- particularly from those that have compared those two subs. I have a fairly large space to fill. The main listening area is 20' X 15' with a 10' ceiling; it is completely open to the back to a comparably sized kitchen/breakfast area. To top it off, between those two areas is an open entryway leading to a dining room and living room. My current equipment consists of the Axiom M60ti's, VP150, and QS8s powered by a Denon AVR-3803. My usage is 70/30 music to HT. But keep in mind that with the M60s, the subs are rarely used in music.

What do you suggest?

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12368 06/21/03 03:19 PM
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Well, I've never listened to the SVS, but I guess it would be mainly the choice between box vs. cylinder designs. I can tell you that my VTF-3 is more than sufficiently powerful to fill our open living room (the room itself is about 18'x28'x10' but it is connected via large openings to a full kitchen/breakfast and to a two-story foyer and formal/dining, the entire volume being more than 15,000 cubic feet). The sub itself, however, sonically disappears entirely even through the loudest bass-heavy passages.

I would also strongly suggest you add your new sub for music listening in a 2.1 or 5.1 configurations -- once you get a high-quality sub, you going to enjoy a significant effect of the sub in adding the proper ambience, atmosphere and "attacks," even in case the music does not contain much of the bottom octave of bass frequencies, and even if you are using floorstanding L/R mains such as the M60's. I myself use the VTF-3 with 80Hz crossover with my Hales floorstander fronts (readily capable of going down to 35Hz or so), and don't want to go without the sub anymore.

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12369 06/22/03 01:29 AM
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I'm in the same boat as Sushi, and cannot give you a face to face comparison. Unlike Sushi, I have the SVS you are looking at. I really like it, but my guess is that they both sound great. The concern that you might want to watch out for is size - the SVS takes up space. It stands about as tall as my M80's.
If you haven't gone there, I would recommend going to ecoustics.com - they have reviews on a whole lot of subs, and a few months ago actually did a comparison between SVS, Hsu, and I think Axiom. (although I don't think it was these particular models)
One other similarity I have with Sushi is using the sub for all listening. I am at least 90% music - and wouldn't even think of listening to my M80's without the sub. Without dominating, it just adds a whole new dimension to the music experience.
Good luck with the sub. I cannot see how you can go wrong with either choice.

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12370 06/22/03 01:56 AM
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Heres that link at ecoustics...in case you couldn't find it.
http://www.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/1041.html

As you can see they use the pci from svs, the pc+ should be even better than what the reviewer describes.

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12371 06/22/03 08:06 PM
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I just bought a pair m80's and have a hsu vtf-2. My room is 15x20x 7.5 and only have the volume set about 11o'clock. to me it more than enought to fill anything below 40hz.This is what the crossover is set at.At about 350 to 400 less than the vtf-3 its worth a thought.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12372 06/23/03 07:47 AM
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Yes, the VTF-2 and 3 are both pretty amazing. The VTF-3 will be able to go even lower though (18hz) vs the VTF-2 which can go only down to 25hz. As far as loudness...yeah, unless you're in a pretty large room, both will fill it nicely.

Too bad the VTF-2 doesn't come in the Rosewood. (though I hear they're working on it!)



Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12373 06/23/03 09:37 PM
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Hello out there. When I did test zones on the vtf-2 it shook my whole room at 20hz. In the reviews I read the vtf-2 is said to go down to 20hz at 93db with one port open.On Hsu's website the vt3 does come in rosewood now.But it also cost more than 1000.00.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12374 07/10/03 04:52 AM
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First, thanks for all the great advice.

The bottom line is that I decided to go with neither of the choices in my original post. I ultimately decided to order the SVS PB2-Plus. After taking into consideration the advice I received here together with my own prior research, I contacted Hsu Research and SVS, and I was VERY impressed with the customer service of both companies. I truly believe that based on my experience and research that it would be hard to go wrong with either company. The bottom line is that it would be a quite a challenge to fill my space (6200 cubic feet with two unclosable entryways to another 5000 cubic feet -- not counting space open to the second floor). Because the only mistakes I've made with my home theater purchases have been by trying to save a few dollars, I decided to increase the budget for the subwoofer and ended up ordering the SVS PB2-Plus, which features a 900-watt amp and dual 12" drivers. I won't receive it until the end of July or early August, but I'll post my impressions thereafter.

Thanks again for all your help.

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12375 07/10/03 10:27 AM
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HAHAHA... Yeah, I too want to try the PB2-Plus behemoth some day!

Be prepared though... The box is HUGE as judged from the photos posted in now-defunct AVS Speakers forum...

Re: Hsu VTF-3 vs. SVS 20-39 PC-Plus
#12376 07/10/03 02:09 PM
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HGP,
I'm anxious to hear some more reviews of any kind on the SVS box style subs. Certainly that model looks rather impressive from the start.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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