I need help deciding on a sub to go with my m22’s. I know that HSU is the sub most of the people who post here prefer and I would love to have one. The WAF is the big issue here. It cannot be a big sub and it has to look nice. Does HSU fit this bill? My room is about 12*18. The m22 were a big stretch for my wife if that gives you an idea what I am dealing with.
check out SVS subs, they are just as good as HSU but they have custom finishes:
http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb1_isd_colors.htm
They cost a little more, but look real nice for the WAF.
Personally, I think that the SVS finishes are hideous and stick out like a sore thumb. But that's just me. They're also huge.
The Hsu is smaller. On the other hand, my sub gets fairly high WAF because, "It's a piece of furnature." (It's a Cambridge Soundworks Subwoofer 1; a vertical design.) Similarly, pmbuko's SVS PB1 gets high WAF because it's sort of hidden behind a couch and under some stuff. If you can find a place to put it where it sounds good and is out of the way (and then stuff can be put on it) you might be ok. You could also look at the Sunfire True Subwoofer Jr. (they have impressive specs, and are teeny, but I don't know how they sound). That's only about a 9 inch cube.
Even though I have a wonderful SVS PB1-ISD that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone, I think an Hsu VTF-2 fits the bill perfectly mainly because it is noticeably smaller than the SVS. If you're looking to tuck the subwoofer away to keep it out of sight, that's the one for you.
I wouldn't spend more than $1000 on a small sub, and that's enough reason to steer clear of the Sunfire or similar miniaturized subs.
However, if you could tweak your wife's idea about what a subwoofer is and get her to consider it as a piece of furniture instead, then SVS PB1-ISD would work better. In my living room, it was a much better solution since the same height as the two pieces of furniture it sits between. It can even double as a seat when we have a lot of poeple over. If you throw a pillow on it, it's pretty comfy -- just not while it's playing -- although some people would enjoy a little bumpus in the rumpus...
Check out the SVS SS Ultra line. Beautiful wood finishes = high WAF. A little pricey and alot more sub than you need for that room, though.
I have been leaning towards the Hsu VTF-2 because of it’s size/price/performance but now that Hsu has some new subs that will be available soon I am not sure. The new STF-1 will be available next month and is smaller then the VTF-2. Do you think I would be happy with this sub? Smaller sub = less nights on the couch, but I don't want to buy a wimpy sub either.
I heard the STF-1 at Hsu Research. Placed behind the demo sofa, during the Balrog scene of LOTR, it shook the sofa. I had thought a bigger sub was playing.
Would you be happy with the STF-1? Probably. But, if I were you, I'd go with the STF-2 at a minimum. I don't know how much you are affected by the upgrading bug, but with the STF-1, you'd be buying HSU's lowest-end sub. I'd always wonder what I was missing if I went that route.
With the STF-2 or VTF-2, you'd get a 10" woofer and better performance. I presume the STF-3 and VTF-3 are out of the size/price range. If I were you, I'd go with the STF-2 at $399. As an aside, I own the SVS PB1-ISD like PMBuko, and I absolutely love it. But, it seems like it is also out of the size/price range you are looking for.
I've got the VTF-2 in a 12x17x8 living room. Plenty of sub! It's not tiny, but it disappears under an end table or in a corner. I got mine B-stock for $399. Give them a call, more sub for less money may help avoid those nights on the couch.
The current B-Stock waiting time is 90 days, or so says the webpage.
Check this one out, have heard really good things about it.http://www.adireaudio.com/home_audio/loudspeakers/exact_series/rava.htm
Good suggestion on the Rava--I forgot about that one. It gets great reviews, is priced at $399 and has 2 choices of nice finishes. Definitely should be a consideration.
try the Stryke Mini-Thunder at stryke audio.com
Purchased one myself, John builds each for user. Many finishes to choose from at no additional cost.
We'll see, but he claims his subs will outperform the HSU and SVS in it's class. Plus he uses passive resisters as opposed to ports. Check it out, definitely worth a look. And I spent a long time looking for a sub. this sub hopefully will compliment my M'22's, QS8's VP 150.
Spoke with John yesterday, my sub was delayed due to the amplifier. He wanted to place the updated 350watt amp in but had none on hand. I chose to wait for the newer amp. He could have put the older one in, but he contacted me first. I thought that was cool. I really would not have known. The newer amp has 2 switches to control gain and freq? I hope it's worth the wait, but from my reading and research, esp here, I've heard nothing but good things!!
Anyone tried out their speakers? I could use some really, really low cost speakers for my computer room... that still sound decent, of course! (Yes, the M2s are too much right now.)
I'll bet you're talking about those faux granite finishes, eh? All of the new wood finishes they're putting on their boxes look pretty darn good. If I could actually use my HT right now I would consider popping for that SS or one of the PSB 2 Ultras. Of course, then I would have to pop for some M80s in high gloss maple.
Yup. Must have missed the wood ones. I'll have to look again.
"The only good small sub is by Sunfire or Pinnacle but the SVS or HSU outperforms them in sound and price."
Hi Saturn
respectfully disagree. I auditioned the Sunfire True Sub - to me it sounded like a one note thumper. If you can find a Klipsch LF10 (1640 watts) grab one. I don't think they make them anymore, but you can probably get one for a very good price. Velodyne makes some excellent 10" subs as well. For effortless, musical bass I think you'll like the big SVS subs, but they're really big. Not wife pleasers.
The STF-2 Preorders have begun:
http://www.hsustore.com/stf2.html
Hey 2X6;
I was referring to the Jr Sub from Sunfire since the person above wanted a small one(I included a link to it above). Yes the the True Sub is relatively small in comparison to SVS or HSU subs and is a great musical sub. The Jr Sub is also more than the SVS or HSU sub and the True Sub is even more.
On paper I also find most Sunfire or Carver subs start dropping off around 30 hz and then a rize at 20hz due to harmonics. Also there is a dip between 80-60hz on most of their subs so some people who have smaller speakers have trouble blending in there speakers to these subs. If one has bigger floorstanders and does their crossover at 60Hz then yes it would match nicely. But majority of people still cross at 80hz..(even THX spec) These subs will have a dip in the 80-60hz region and another dip between 20-26. Again this is a personal opinion and I find it is best to have the sub integrate well with the main speakers where levels are flat. With SVS and HSU subs they are flat from 85hz which is good to cross at 80hz and it is almost flat to 20hz where it drops off considerably unless you get the bigger higher model.
So if he was getting a M60 or M80 the Sunfire would do good. But since he has M22 I still would opt for a SVS or HSU sub at half the price of the Sunfire.
By the way since your are an advocate on tube sound whatcha think about the Jolida JD100? I wanted a Shanling T100 but its still way too rich. My Marantz cd63 SE is showing its age. My left RCA connector is giving me grief.
Saturn