Epik Legend vs. HSU VTF-3 MK3 vs. SVS PB12-NSD

[timoteo]

Oh wait!!!....My bad, i forgot, thats the year my dad was born in. I always get 1951 & 1980 mixed up since the numbers used in the two years are so similar. Still not sure its before my time but ill take your word on it

 

[razzy]

i got my pick

alright so I'm 99% sure I will be getting the HSU VTF3-MK3...the 1% chance is because there's always a chance that one of now TWO opportunities available to me to get this sub will fall through, but I'm going to do all I can to not let that happen

So, I've read a lot about subwoofer placement in a room and calibration using "audyssey" and "avia" etc. and I have little to no knowledge about all of it.

I have a yamaha rx-a3000 receiver and from what i've heard you have to buy avia and audyssey comes in some receivers- i know its not w/ mine

would it help to post a picture of my floor plan with the 7 possible locations I can place the sub for suggestions?

also is audyssey similar to the onboard mic/calibration system that plays that static sounding noise from each speaker?

 

[timoteo]

Yes the Yamaha RX-A3000 has YPAO which is Yamaha's own way of calibrating your speakers automatically just like Auddessey does. Its a little different in its processing but the outcome is very much the same. I used to have a Denon that had Auddessey, an HK that had EzEQ & Pioneer that had MCACC. All of them do a good job. In fact, i like what YPAO has done for my speaker the most.

Follow the directions on where to set the mic & then go in after & make sure you set all speakers to small & start off with them crossed over at 80hz. Use your ears to see what sounds best but set it somewhere between 60-100hz.

You dont need the Avia disc really unless you want to calibrate the picture on your TV. Or if your going to fine tune the speaker levels with the slp meter but YPAO gets that almost dead on.

As far as finding the right sub location, the best thing for you to do is the "bass crawl". Look it up on youtube. But to debrief you: place your sub on your main listening seat. Play some bass heavy music or bass tones off a test disc. Then crawl, yes crawl, around the room to the 7 possible locations for the sub. Listen for clean, powerful bass. Not bloated but detailed bass. Whichever of those locations that sounded good when you crawled to them is the place to now set your sub. THEN run YPAO!! This should get you 75% of the way there. There is always fine tuning & possible EQing to do but you can learn about that.

BTW your RX-A3000 has soo much flexability. The YPAO will automatically have your PEQ set to Flat. Copy that to Manual & you can literally tweak each speakers EQ along with being able to adjust each Sub's EQ including Frequency, Band & Q. That what i used on my A2000 to get extremely Flat bass response (along with good placement & proper phase adjustments)

After running YPAO, have your SPL in hand at your seat. Have someone flip the Phase switch on the sub & see which gives you more output. Leave it on the setting that has the higher spl reading.

Theres a lot of info on this stuff. Read up like i did & youll learn how to REALLY get things sounding GREAT!!!!

ENJOY!!

 

[timoteo]

I hope an HSU VTF-3 MK3 works out for you. I dont think youll regret the decision. Excellent sub!!!

 

[razzy]

great!

Yes the Yamaha RX-A3000 has YPAO which is Yamaha's own way of calibrating your speakers automatically just like Auddessey does. Its a little different in its processing but the outcome is very much the same. I used to have a Denon that had Auddessey, an HK that had EzEQ & Pioneer that had MCACC. All of them do a good job. In fact, i like what YPAO has done for my speaker the most.

Follow the directions on where to set the mic & then go in after & make sure you set all speakers to small & start off with them crossed over at 80hz. Use your ears to see what sounds best but set it somewhere between 60-100hz.

You dont need the Avia disc really unless you want to calibrate the picture on your TV. Or if your going to fine tune the speaker levels with the slp meter but YPAO gets that almost dead on.

As far as finding the right sub location, the best thing for you to do is the "bass crawl". Look it up on youtube. But to debrief you: place your sub on your main listening seat. Play some bass heavy music or bass tones off a test disc. Then crawl, yes crawl, around the room to the 7 possible locations for the sub. Listen for clean, powerful bass. Not bloated but detailed bass. Whichever of those locations that sounded good when you crawled to them is the place to now set your sub. THEN run YPAO!! This should get you 75% of the way there. There is always fine tuning & possible EQing to do but you can learn about that.

BTW your RX-A3000 has soo much flexability. The YPAO will automatically have your PEQ set to Flat. Copy that to Manual & you can literally tweak each speakers EQ along with being able to adjust each Sub's EQ including Frequency, Band & Q. That what i used on my A2000 to get extremely Flat bass response (along with good placement & proper phase adjustments)

After running YPAO, have your SPL in hand at your seat. Have someone flip the Phase switch on the sub & see which gives you more output. Leave it on the setting that has the higher spl reading.

Theres a lot of info on this stuff. Read up like i did & youll learn how to REALLY get things sounding GREAT!!!!

ENJOY!!

this is such great information and is so helpful thanks

i've learned a lot from the forums so far..they're great!

p.s how do i input the info for my system under my posts like you have it?

justin

 

[Adam]

p.s how do i input the info for my system under my posts like you have it?

Hi, Justin. To add a signature (and put in your system info), do the following:

• Click "User CP" in the top menu (it's on the far left)
• In the left hand menu, select "Edit Signature" under "Settings & Options"

That will let you enter text and add a signature picture.

 

[razzy]

thank you

 

[razzy]

how much do i extend my budget

so there's a vtf3.3 on ebay right now and it ends tonight...currently it's at $505...the only reason I'm considering extending my budget for this one is it is several years younger than the one i'm looking at in cali for $475 shipped to me. it was purchased in 2010 for $747...

should I just wait for the owner of the one in cali to get back from vacation in ~2 weeks to ship it to me (will probably have it here in ~3 weeks) or should i try and win this one on ebay...and if so how much should i bid? i would say 550 is really maxing it out but idk if that's even worth it for me.

any ideas?

 

[FirstReflection]

Well I certainly like the VTF-3 MK3! Great sub

The current VTF-3 MK4 sells for $660 at the moment, plus $99 for shipping.

It's contemporaries in terms of performance are the Outlaw LFM-1 EX at $650 plus shipping. And the SVSound PB or PC12-NSD at $750 (cylinder) or $770 (box), which includes shipping. So they're all very close in price one you factor in shipping. Out of that group, I'd give a very slight edge to the SVSound PB12-NSD - just in terms of linear output right down to 20Hz and having the more sophisticated Sledge amp vs. the BASH amp of the HSU and Outlaw.

For a used VTF-3 MK3, I'd expect a good $175-$200 off of those prices, so somewhere in the range of $550 - $600 once you include shipping. To me, that'd be a fair price and an excellent bargain for this level of performance!

I'm not sure on the specifics, but that's what I'd be looking for in terms of price, anyway

 

[razzy]

wow

Well I certainly like the VTF-3 MK3! Great sub

The current VTF-3 MK4 sells for $660 at the moment, plus $99 for shipping.

It's contemporaries in terms of performance are the Outlaw LFM-1 EX at $650 plus shipping. And the SVSound PB or PC12-NSD at $750 (cylinder) or $770 (box), which includes shipping. So they're all very close in price one you factor in shipping. Out of that group, I'd give a very slight edge to the SVSound PB12-NSD - just in terms of linear output right down to 20Hz and having the more sophisticated Sledge amp vs. the BASH amp of the HSU and Outlaw.

For a used VTF-3 MK3, I'd expect a good $175-$200 off of those prices, so somewhere in the range of $550 - $600 once you include shipping. To me, that'd be a fair price and an excellent bargain for this level of performance!

I'm not sure on the specifics, but that's what I'd be looking for in terms of price, anyway

first, thank you for your reply
The specifics are that its a pretty much "new" condition used sub...several years newer than the one in cali
but really? only 175~200 off used? wow...i can't believe its not more than that...alright i just don't know how much more I should be willing to shell out for this one above the $475 shipped price that I can pay for the one in cali i won't be able to get for near a month.

i think I can answer my own question and say i can't spend any more than $550 for this newer sub shipped lol

i suppose another 75 bucks for several years off the usage is worth it

 

[timoteo]

A 2010 model is practically new IMO. So yeah $75 more for that new of a model is worth it. Ive always been impressed with the VTF3/3's performance.

 

[razzy]

A 2010 model is practically new IMO. So yeah $75 more for that new of a model is worth it. Ive always been impressed with the VTF3/3's performance.

yes i think so too, i'll be bidding via a sniping service so hopefully it won't go too high and i'll get it!

that's great considering you have the 15h

 

[Adam]

Sniper!

Just don't forget that the shipping on that auction is $50.

 

[razzy]

Sniper!

Just don't forget that the shipping on that auction is $50.

lol ohh yeaaaa

yes, i got it all ready to roll- thanks for the reminder though...that would be bad if i didn't factor that in

 

[Adam]

Sweet - now I know that I just need to put in a max bid of $501 and I've got you.

J/K! Good luck winning that - looks like a heck of a sub.

 

[Adam]

Justin - I see that you haven't entered the Audioholic's contest to win a new Velodyne subwoofer. The contest ends today. Might as well give it a shot!

 

[razzy]

Sweet - now I know that I just need to put in a max bid of $501 and I've got you.

J/K! Good luck winning that - looks like a heck of a sub.

bahahahaha! that would be horribe! lol

oh wow..thanks adam, i'll definitely enter the contest!

 

[Sheep]

Should buy the PB-12NSD/2....

SheepStar

 

[razzy]

Should buy the PB-12NSD/2....

SheepStar

yeah but he's set on $500 for that and I would have to drive 4.5 hours there and back to get it...so I've made my choice based on what is convenient, available, within budget, and of course what is recommended by the fine community here on AH

 

[razzy]

well unfortunately the auction ended with the sub selling for $585 shipping included....so i guess i'm going with the other older vtf3.3 for 475 shipped

happy new year everyone!