Any reasons against HSU VTF15

[Warpdrv]

Yes, that is all well and true....

But

Put the same drivers in both a sealed config and ported and you tell me if you don't notice a difference in sound...

Here's a nice quote I got from Craigsub through PM...

Warpdrv ... Your comments about sealed subs are pretty compelling. It was in 2004, when comparing the ACI Maestro to the PB-12 Ultra that I first discovered liking sealed better.

Fast foward to 2011, and I have a Vented version of our 18 inch sub and a sealed version (currently the CS-18.1).

The Vented, on paper, "wins". In an Ilkka/AVtalk test, the vented wins.

In a real room, the sealed is MUCH better.

It hits harder, cleaner, deeper. Everything just sounds better.

 

[sholling]

Yes, that is all well and true....

But

Put the same drivers in both a sealed config and ported and you tell me if you don't notice a difference in sound...

Here's a nice quote I got from Craigsub through PM...

And yet his all time favorite sub for both music and movies is an eD A7-900.

 

[billy p]

Its well documented that sealed should will win out above and below their tune compared to a ported sesign, but you'll need proper EQ along with more power just to to achieve this. With my limited knowledge and already set buget the ported was the better choice for plug and play but I often think about what if....I had Warp's money....jk.

 

[billy p]

And yet his all time favorite sub for both music and movies is an eD A7-900.

You mean he being known to waffle from t-t....

 

[Warpdrv]

So true....

Personally I prefer not to have a port contributing in any way to the sound signature presented, I prefer a driver system that retains its air spring/driver loading. I also prefer a manageable, heavily braced cabinet size, where the rear wave is isolated from the front wave. For my bass reproduction I'd rather not hear the subwoofer, just the sound....

Just my opinion.... Of coarse ported subs produce bass, and thats what we're all after here and sometimes ported is just the better choice for many applications and costs....

 

[bobr1952]

I listened to both the VTF-15 and the ULS-15 in the same room at Hsu's headquarters.

1) I don't think you need to worry about the amplifier power. With a single VTF-15 running its SPL output was amazing. My pant legs were actually vibrating. (I don't remember which movie Dr Hsu was playing).

2) I don't think there could be a better value for overall Home Theater performance where max SPL is a primary consideration.

3) Despite my praise for the VTF-15, I left Hsu headquarters with Dual ULS-15s. They have a tighter, more linear sound (even vs the VTFs in plugged mode). They have more than enough output for my home theater. But, they won't put out as high an SPL level in the mid/upper bass as the VT-15.

4) So, you will hear virtually nothing but praise for the VTF-15s (here and at. But, you will also find posts from Pete at Hsu (and others) that discrimate the differences between these two Hsu subs. I've never heard the Rhythmik FV-15HP that's about to have its review posted here. But, that might be another option.

There ain't a single answer for "the best". But, like others have posted, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with the VTF-15 - its owners are overwhelmingly positive in the various online forums.

Nice that you were able to actually listen to both of them--that would be the absolute best way to know for sure. I am still going back and forth on this one. I have contacted HSU and got a very quick reply via email and Dr Hsu's comments pretty much confirm what you are saying but it is a very hard thing to properly articulate--the tightness of the bass--without actually hearing them. I have a large room with no way to close it off from the rest of the house and so at least on paper--with only one sub--the best option seems to be the 15H but I am still a bit on the fence.

 

[sholling]

I have a large room with no way to close it off from the rest of the house and so at least on paper--with only one sub--the best option seems to be the 15H but I am still a bit on the fence.

I'm curious about how you plan to deal with this... brute force (mega sub), near-field placement, or some combination of the two. That's the situation that I'm looking at if/when I do an upgrade later this year. In my case I'm seriously considering a combination as in brute force near field.

 

[drgn95]

Also on the fence

Not to highjack but I decicded on Hsu designs but not sure which would be best. living room is 2052 sq. ft and has two openings to kitchen (1596 sq. ft.) and bed room (1824 sq. ft.) The VTF-15 could go in one place only. The VTF-3.3 Is what I'd like x2 but two are more than I want to spend. Then 2x the VTF2.3 This is harder than my speaker decision, Salk ST's.

 

[ntrain42]

My trigger finger is getting itchy. Not sure if I can hold out for the Shootout review of this. Might be another month or so would seem. Really like the VTF-15 at least on the surface. Can put the plugs in for Sealed use with music and take them out for Theater. Meets $$ and wife visual factors as well. I probably will need two for my room L shaped 4000cf. But will do one now and one later. I'm a little worried about the RMS being 350 while everyone else is 600+. I know peak is high, but would it get "tired" say trying to do the sustained rumble in the start of the Pod Race scene in Star Wars Ep 1?

Does anyone have an SPL graph for it? I couldn't find anything on their website. Any reasons people can think of not to get this? Other options SVS one shoot out reviewed, Epik Empire, F15 HP.

Thanks and Happy Friday!

If your worried about "output" Im sure it will be just fine, just like all of them(IMO you will need 2 regardless what the "reviewer" measures), but if you want top tier SQ at lower and moderate volumes that Rythmik will probably be the best bet if its even HALF as good as the sealed counterparts Rythmik is known for. Regardless all of these subs are going to be good bang for the bucks, and better than most of the cr@p out on the market.

Dont get caught up in "watts", its a worthless spec without knowing the driver's T/S parameters and box tuning. All of the subs will be within a few db's of each other when driven cleanly I can tell you that. Unfortunetly the way the review is setup, they only test just below compression point which means there is gonna be significant amount of distortion present. Too much for my taste anyway.

 

[ntrain42]

So true....

Personally I prefer not to have a port contributing in any way to the sound signature presented, I prefer a driver system that retains its air spring/driver loading. I also prefer a manageable, heavily braced cabinet size, where the rear wave is isolated from the front wave. For my bass reproduction I'd rather not hear the subwoofer, just the sound....

Just my opinion.... Of coarse ported subs produce bass, and thats what we're all after here and sometimes ported is just the better choice for many applications and costs....

Hehe, Id just rather run multiple sealed drivers. In fact thats what Im doing with my nearly completed main HT system. 8 Rythmik DS1510 drivers mated to 8 600XLR class H Rythmik amps, each with their own sealed 4 foot enclosure lining a wall.

 

[Unobtainium]

Not sure if it has been discussed much, but how does this compare to the SVS pb13 ultra?
The SVS is a very nice looking sub for the money.

 

[ntrain42]

Not sure if it has been discussed much, but how does this compare to the SVS pb13 ultra?
The SVS is a very nice looking sub for the money.

How does "what" compare to the Ultra? The new HSU ported 15?

 

[TimoHT]

Yes, that was it - "The Haunting". Dr Hsu played a bass heavy, scary scene from that movie at a Hsu open house and again for me when I went over for a demo.

I heard it was the from the Haunting.....read it somewhere but not sure...lol

 

[MarkMM]

Hi All - Thanks for all the inputs. Not sure really what I was looking for. Maybe I was just thinking out load again. SVS is an option too, just like the value of the HSU. Makes eventually buying 2 not seem as bad.

I want to go watch a movie at the guy who had 8's house. My wife would kill me if I had 8.

~ Mark

 

[ntrain42]

I want to go watch a movie at the guy who had 8's house. My wife would kill me if I had 8.

~ Mark

Huh? Are you talking about the 8 15" subs Im using? Technically its just one big long 32 cubic foot sealed enclosure with subs downfiring at a 30 degree angle into the concrete floor, each section housing 1 15" driver. I actually didnt do it for the output. I did it so each individual sub would only be running a watt or so roughly in rms power. It was done for super clean dynamics and extreme low frequency extension(Im hoping to get a flat response down to around 10-15hz once EQ'd out) more than anything. One thing I hate is distorted bass and drivers pushed to their excursion limits on a regular basis. Does not equal good bass in my book.

 

[MarkMM]

Sorry, misunderstood.

 

[gajenn]

wow, 8 subs, that must sound amazing..the one sub i just got seems to be straining a lot,and not hitting those ultra deep bass notes, quess its upgrade time sooner than i thought.

 

[bobr1952]

I'm curious about how you plan to deal with this... brute force (mega sub), near-field placement, or some combination of the two. That's the situation that I'm looking at if/when I do an upgrade later this year. In my case I'm seriously considering a combination as in brute force near field.

Well everything is a compromise--mostly dictated by monetary concerns in my case. I sent HSU some pics of my room and the last reply I got recommended the 15H. Multiple subs would certainly be nice but I can't do that now. Compared to what I have now, whatever sub I choose will be a remarkable improvement. I'll probably go with the 15H but I've not totally ruled out the ULS-15.

 

[Unobtainium]

How does "what" compare to the Ultra? The new HSU ported 15?

Sorry, the vtf15. The one that's in the thread title.