HSU STF-1 vs. Av123 x-sub

[rnatalli]

Having had a chance to A/B these two subs directly, I thought I'd post my impressions as this topic comes up quite often.

Looks: The x-sub's real wood veneer beats out the bland STF-1 vinyl hands down.

Build Quality: The STF-1 uses 3/4" MDF and the x-sub uses 1" MDF. Both are excellent overall, but I found the STF-1 a little better in terms of overall construction. The x-sub does suffer a few minor problems. First, the amp goes into standby after about a minute or two of no feed and when it does, you hear it turn off with either a buzz or pop. It's annoying as it turns on and off as a movie progresses and is noticeable at low to moderates volumes. The STF-1 on the other hand waits like 10-15 minutes before going to standby and makes no noise when it does so its operation is seamless. Second, the amp plate sometimes rattles. And third, air sometime gets through the cabinet at the 180 phase switch. Av123 is aware of these issues and are likely moving to correct them. The air leak is easily corrected DIY.

Sound Quality: Both are excellent and reach down to around 30hz. I felt the STF-1 could reach the lower frequencies a little cleaner and no port noise was detected at all. But this was only by a hair. Both subs were musical. Overall, I felt the STF-1 didn't give up any ground to the x-sub in terms of musicality and was hair better in HT.

Customer Service: Both are excellent. Enough said.

Warranty: The STF-1's warranty is 7 years on the woofer and 2 years on electronics. This warranty is transferable. The x-sub's warranty is 3 years and the warranty is not transferable. If buying used from someone, I'd have to give the nod to the STF-1.

Sensitivity: The x-sub needed a bit more voltage than the STF-1 to get singing, but neither sub presented a problem.

Overall, both subs were excellent values. The x-sub looks better than the STF-1, but I felt the STF-1 had an slight edge overall. The STF-1 will cost $320 shipped vs. x-sub at $240 shipped (assuming black). The STF-1 often goes on sale and can be had for $274 shipped. Can't go wrong either way really. It'll be interesting when the new Dayton HSU subs are released as the 8" model is the same price as the x-sub.

 

[MinusTheBear]

The x-sub is a gorgeous looking sub. My x-sub goes into standby between 10 - 20 mins after receiving no signal and have had no issues with the sub turning on and off in movies, it does however make a 2-3 humming sound when it does go into standby (never a pop). Alot of users have had issues with input sensitivity with this sub and myself included. I have to have my receiver sub level set very high to get this baby going. I was just listening to some Pink Floyd by the Philharmonic Orchestra and the x-sub really showed its stuff and was really impressed. This is a very musical sub and have found out that it fits better with music than movies. The x-sub will not fill your room with bone-rattling bass but it does extend the low frequencies quite well and very accuratly for that matter. I like this sub alot and think it is a great budget sub.

 

[rnatalli]

No argument about the x-sub's looks. I wish HSU had nice finishes for the STF line. Just out of curiosity, what's your crossover set at?

 

[MinusTheBear]

No argument about the x-sub's looks. I wish HSU had nice finishes for the STF line. Just out of curiosity, what's your crossover set at?

I have my crossover set at 100 through my receiver.

 

[rnatalli]

I have my crossover set at 100 through my receiver.

That might explain it. I was using 80 as a crossover so less was going to the sub than in your setup.

 

[MinusTheBear]

No argument about the x-sub's looks.

If you have the satin black try giving it a wax. In the AV123 x-series manual it says what type of wax is recommended and safe to put on it.

 

[zhiman]

Quote: I have to have my receiver sub level set very high to get this baby going.

Yes, I also have to turn on the volume knob of my x-sub to max. Literally it has to be at max, otherwise, I can't hear it. Frankly, I would not recommend anyone to buy this unless you have a very very "small" room. They rate it 150W. I can't tell if this is RMS (continuous) or Dynamic (peak). My guess it is peak, which is very little for a sub.

On the other had, the looks and finish is awesome.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Quote: I have to have my receiver sub level set very high to get this baby going.

Yes, I also have to turn on the volume knob of my x-sub to max. Literally it has to be at max, otherwise, I can't hear it. Frankly, I would not recommend anyone to buy this unless you have a very very "small" room. They rate it 150W. I can't tell if this is RMS (continuous) or Dynamic (peak). My guess it is peak, which is very little for a sub.

On the other had, the looks and finish is awesome.

What level do you have the SW gain on your receiver. If you increase the SW level on your receiver than you will not need the volume on the back of your x-sub to be set to max. It seems with the Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo (probably other brands too) models that you need to throw more voltage at it. You will not harm your receiver or x-sub by cranking the SW gain on the receiver, just compensate by lowering the gain on the back of the x-sub. This matter boils down to input sensitivity.

 

[zhiman]

What level do you have the SW gain on your receiver. If you increase the SW level on your receiver than you will not need the volume on the back of your x-sub to be set to max. It seems with the Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo (probably other brands too) models that you need to throw more voltage at it. You will not harm your receiver or x-sub by cranking the SW gain on the receiver, just compensate by lowering the gain on the back of the x-sub. This matter boils down to input sensitivity.

Thanks, I have a Denon 2808CI. After auto setup, the fronts levels are 0dB, while the SW is +4dB. I manually increased the SW level to +10dB. It doesn't really change much the sub output. Therefore, the input sensitivity of this sub may also be in the low-end. I manually changed the crossover to 80Hz.
As I said, if I set the sub volume to max, I do hear it kicking in pretty hard, but the port often chuffes as the AV123 review says.
Either this sub has a problem, or this is a feature. When I connect my 12" Klipsch everything is fine, but I am comparing apples with oranges. Nevertheless, I did expect more from the x-sub.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Mybe adjust the volume down on the back of the sub a little to reduce the port chuffing. I have a Denon receiver as well and the SW gain is set at
+10, however I have the volume dial on the back of the x-sub set at 9 o-clock. If i go anything passed 10 o-clock it is too much. Just out of curiosity what size room do you have the sub in.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Just to let you know this issue has been posted on av123 a lot. One recommendation given and i think it was from rnatalli is use a y-adapter on the sub-out and then feed it into the R or L input on the x-sub instead of just the single sub cable into the single sub-input on the x-sub. This has worked for some and has given them more output.

 

[rnatalli]

Just to let you know this issue has been posted on av123 a lot. One recommendation given and i think it was from rnatalli is use a y-adapter on the sub-out and then feed it into the R or L input on the x-sub instead of just the single sub cable into the single sub-input on the x-sub. This has worked for some and has given them more output.

This is how I hooked it up. With this, setting the receiver SW level to a max of +10, and turning the sub gain to 3/4, the x-sub started to come to life. Problem is, with the gain set that high, you get a hum form the amp. The HSU didn't exhibit any of these issues.

I noticed a couple threads around where people were asking if the x-sub compares to the STF-2. The STF-2 mops the floor with the x-sub. It's not a fair comparison.

Another note, the STF-1 is a good deal at $254, but at $299, you're better off going another $50 for the STF-2.

 

[MinusTheBear]

This is how I hooked it up. With this, setting the receiver SW level to a max of +10, and turning the sub gain to 3/4, the x-sub started to come to life. Problem is, with the gain set that high, you get a hum form the amp.

Is the hum only when the amp shuts off?

 

[rnatalli]

Is the hum only when the amp shuts off?

No. It's present while the sub is on and even if everything else is off and uplugged. At first I thought groundloop, but pluggin it in alone and moving it around to various locations didn't help.

 

[zhiman]

Just to let you know this issue has been posted on av123 a lot. One recommendation given and i think it was from rnatalli is use a y-adapter on the sub-out and then feed it into the R or L input on the x-sub instead of just the single sub cable into the single sub-input on the x-sub. This has worked for some and has given them more output.

Thanks, I will give it a try this weekend. The room size is approximately 20x15 and 10ft ceiling --> 3000 cuft. There is a also a opening (size of a door) to the bathroom. Perhaps it is just too much cubic feet for x-sub to handle.

 

[rnatalli]

Thanks, I will give it a try this weekend. The room size is approximately 20x15 and 10ft ceiling --> 3000 cuft. There is a also a opening (size of a door) to the bathroom. Perhaps it is just too much cubic feet for x-sub to handle.

You're likely right. That's a lot of space for the x-sub to fill. You may need to go up a notch to the av123 x-plosive, HSU STF-2, or SVS PB10.

 

[MinusTheBear]

You're likely right. That's a lot of space for the x-sub to fill. You may need to go up a notch to the av123 x-plosive, HSU STF-2, or SVS PB10.

Yeah I agree with rnatalli, however the x-plosive has not yet hit the market and if you ordered one of those from av123 today who knows how long it would take for you to get one. The HSU and SVS subs rnatalli suggested seem like really good choices.

 

[MinusTheBear]

No. It's present while the sub is on and even if everything else is off and uplugged. At first I thought groundloop, but pluggin it in alone and moving it around to various locations didn't help.

I would maybe call customer service and see if they will send you a new amp.