I wouldn't necessarily chalk it up to brand loyalty, although, in full disclosure, I do have an STF-1 in office system that I'm reasonably satisfied with. I've had no direct customer interactions with Pete or anyone else at HSU - haven't needed to - but I agree, customer support/service is something that I feel is important.
It's more a case of the other subs (besides the Salk) in the shootout are at a higher price level than I really want to spend if I want to run duals. My original 'budget' was 1000-1200, so I've already blown by that. Part of my thinking was I can always get more sub and turn it down, which would be better than not buying enough sub. And from what I've read, at 879-999, the HSU sounded like a lot of sub for the $$$, so that's why I was leaning that way and upping the budget.
If I decided to run a single sub, that's a different story, and more of the shootout competitors are an option. I've considered other smaller subs as well (like the Legend, PB10, and some of the eD options), but the VTF-2 seemed like a good deal being on sale right now.
Believe me, I've gone back and forth on the whole 1 vs. 2 subwoofer thing more times than I can count... do I get two good subs vs one great sub, or get one great sub and another one later... it's all a bunch of 'paralysis by analysis' I swear