Please help me choose my .1

[shadyJ]

Hey All,

So I just took delivery of my HSU VTF-1 today and I've got it set up.

I've got is connected to my subwoofer out port on my receiver. Now I just have a frequency question.

I have my receiver set to auto-format decode so it's picking up my two speakers and the sub as I'm still 2.1 at the moment.

I have four options to choose from in my bass & treble menu.

Treble
-6 to +6
1.0 kHz to 10.0 kHz

Bass
-6 to +6
99 Hz to 1.0 kHz

Right now I have the volume dial on the Hsu turned about halfway up and the crossover override is off per their directions since I'm using the sub out connection from the receiver.

So any advice on the setting shown above? I try to tweak them but I don't know what I'm looking for exactly and am having a hard time discerning the difference.

What you posted doesn't mean much in itself. I'm not sure anyone can advise you on anything unless you give us more context about the choices, because I don't understand your choices, and don't see what you have to choose from. What receiver are you using, by the way?

 

[phishphan]

What you posted doesn't mean much in itself. I'm not sure anyone can advise you on anything unless you give us more context about the choices, because I don't understand your choices, and don't see what you have to choose from. What receiver are you using, by the way?

My receiver is an older Sony STR-DE575. 100x5, so it's got plenty of power.

It has a bunch of preset options like different sound stages and the "Jazz" and "Small Hall" and all that stuff, but I don't like any of that. So my question is primarily where should I be setting these treble and bass settings with the kHz and all that given my VTF-1. I assume these are crossover settings but I don't know where to begin.


Treble
-6 to +6
1.0 kHz to 10.0 kHz

Bass
-6 to +6
99 Hz to 1.0 kHz

 

[kesando]

I believe those bass and treble settings affect only the speakers and not the sub so I would leave those at zero. Does that model sony have auto calibration? In most cases the speakers are set to small and crossed with the sub at 80hz in the receiver. The crossover on the sub itself is disabled or turned all the way up.

 

[shadyJ]

Yes, if its asking you where to set the db for those ranges, best to leave everything at 0.

 

[phishphan]

Thanks for the input. I'll have to test it out later. Right now I've got bigger problems because the wife absolutely hates the subwoofer. She hates the way it "vibrates" she hates the way it looks and she hates how big it is. Right now I've got the volume set at 1/4 and a towel over it. Ugh.

 

[kesando]

Why do you have a towel over it? So that she can't see it?

 

[shadyJ]

Remember that you have the 30 day window to send it back for a complete refund, although you do lose the shipping money. Sorry to say, the VTF1 isn't a very large subwoofer either, at least respect to the other heavy hitters. A nice alternative might be the Emotiva Ultra Sub 12, which is a few inches shorter and should have more powerful bass above 35 hz.

 

[phishphan]

Why do you have a towel over it? So that she can't see it?

Two reasons: 1. It's beside the TV at the moment and I don't want anything to bang into it and scratch the finish. 2. Out of sight, out of mind? Not really working, but she hasn't brought it up again. So maybe I can start to inch the bass level up a little every day.

Remember that you have the 30 day window to send it back for a complete refund, although you do lose the shipping money. Sorry to say, the VTF1 isn't a very large subwoofer either, at least respect to the other heavy hitters. A nice alternative might be the Emotiva Ultra Sub 12, which is a few inches shorter and should have more powerful bass above 35 hz.

A few inches isn't going to satisfy her. (Pun intended.) The Emotiva is more money and I'd lose the expensive shipping costs back to Hsu. Plus, I like the VTF-1 so far.

 

[Bismarck]

Two reasons: 1. It's beside the TV at the moment and I don't want anything to bang into it and scratch the finish. 2. Out of sight, out of mind? Not really working, but she hasn't brought it up again. So maybe I can start to inch the bass level up a little every day.



A few inches isn't going to satisfy her. (Pun intended.) The Emotiva is more money and I'd lose the expensive shipping costs back to Hsu. Plus, I like the VTF-1 so far.

Even though the gain is set at 1/4, you mentioned she was upset about vibrating. The subwoofer should blend in with the rest of your speakers. It should not call attention to itself, and hopefully nothing is vibrating too much in the room. Do you have an SPL meter to set the subwoofer to the same level as your other speakers?

Also, is there another placement option for the subwoofer? Maybe somewhere where it isn't noticeable.