Explain what?

Specs EP350
Enclosure: Bass Reflex
Max Amp Power: 300 Watts
Cross-over Adjust 40 - 150 Hz
Phase 0 & 180
Woofer Size 12"
DSP Controlled No
Line In and Out Yes
Balanced Line In and Out No
High Level In Yes
Room Trim No
Dynamic Power Supply No
Anechoic Resp. +/- 3dB 28 - 150 Hz
Room Resp. + 3dB/- 9dB 18 - 150 Hz
Max SPL Anechoic 107 dB
Max SPL In Room 118 dB
Dimensions HWD mm : 495 x 381 x 495
Dimensions HWD inches : 19.5 x 15 x 19.5
Weight lbs each: 76 lbs
Weight kg each: 34.4 kgs


VTF-3 MK3 At a Glance
Amp Power (RMS) 350 Watts
Bass Extension (max extension mode) 18 Hz
Bass Extension (max output mode) 25 Hz
Woofer Size 12 Inches
Crossover Bypassable 24 dB/Oct, continuously variable 30 - 90 Hz low pass
Ports Dual flared 4 Inch
Phase 0/180°
Inputs speaker level (2), line level (2)
Power Outlet Requirement 430 W, 120/240V
Ship Weight 90 Lbs
Dimensions 21.5”(h) X 17”(w) X 25”(d)
Warranty 7-years on the subwoofer, 2-years on electronics


The low frequency terminology?

With subs the more high volume output you want the less deep they will play and vice versa for max extension.

The EP350 specs quote it's actual response in an anehoic chamber where it plays down to 28hz but that 28 is 3db lower than the rest of the frequency range. In a room you will get lower than that as the room helps boost the lower range so you could expect to hear/feel around the 18hz range, but the 18hz is 9db lower than the other frequencies.

The Hsu sub has different settings that allow for maximum extension - 18hz or max. output 25 hz. I suspect the 18hz is not an in room guesstimate as it is with the EP350. In room response with the VTF-3 could be closer to 15 HZ or lower. It's hard to say as all rooms are different. I took this from the owner's manual: " "Now you decide how deep to play.” The large flared ports can be re-tuned with the flip of a switch and the
removal of a port plug or adding of a turbo. In Maximum Output mode, the subwoofer transforms into a different
device capable of playing louder material with less distortion at the expense of some deeper bass"

Maybe it's me, but I can't hear a damn thing through those specs.

Put your ear to the monitor, can you hear them now?

Hello Bob

Re: the Hsu VTF-3 MK3 bass extension, Hsu has not qualified the claimed output of 18Hz.
Be suspicious of any claims (from any company for any speaker) of frequency response without the qualifying +/- “#” dB.
The way they have stated this claim of 18Hz should we believe it’s at – 3dB, very little decrease in SPL :), or -10dB, twice as low as the reference 0dB.


Axiom is at least forthcoming with it's response claims.

So what does this all mean? Both subs are about the same price. Which seems like it would do a better job for both music and movies?

Hi Bob

Hsu is a respectable company, and from what I understand, manufacture a decent product. I just don’t feel that the consumer should have to guess if the claims made about a product are valid. If a company claims great things for a product, they should be able to back it up with proper specs.
In this case, you would most likely be purchasing a good sub if you indeed went with the Hsu.

Regards

Hello again Bob

As far as music is concerned, there is very little acoustic energy below 35-40Hz, unless you listen to a lot of pipe organ material.
I’ve never heard the Hsu sub in a HT environment, so I do not have an opinion as to it’s overall quality. Sorry.

Regards

audition, audition, audition, and make your own decision, don't dwell on specs.