(2) HSU VTF-2 MKII or PARADIGM Servo-15?

[gmoneyreece]

While i have both setups on order to test out for myself i was wondering what the other members opinions were on these two sub setups?
either...
(2-Two) HSU VTF-2 MKII (location will be back left and right) or
(1) Paradigm Servo-15 (location will be back left)

my room is 18x12x9tall. the rest of the system is...

ZONE 1
HITACHI 42" PLASMA
DENON 5805
DENON 5910
MONSTER AVS2000
MONSTER HTS5100MKII
HUGHES DIRECTV HD DVR
XBOX 360 (MEDIA CENTER EXTENDER TO MEDIA CENTER COMPUTER ON MY NETWORK)
PARADIGM CINEMA 330x3
PARADIGM ADP170x2
JBL NORTHRIDGE 10" SUBreplacing...

ZONE 2 (BASEMENT)
MTX 15" 3 WAY FLOORSx2

ZONE 3 (BACK PORCH)
JBL NORTHRIDGE OUTDOORx2

Any thoughts would be apperciated, i will post my impressions after i try them out.

 

[j_garcia]

You will still get more tactile feel from the Servo15, and you won't have to calibrate for two. Two subs that aren't collocated can cause cancellation and be tricky to get right, especially if you have a less than optimum room. Do you plan on doing measurements and adjustments for proper placement of the two subs within the room? If not, I wouldn't get two. Why not a VTF-3 HO?

 

[rollinrocker]

You have an excellent setup, and i agree with garcia. HSU makes fine subs, but i think the servo-15 will be the answer.

 

[blues651]

servo is a awesom sub can't see you going wrong with it!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I like J Garcia's advice with one VTF-3 HO. If you have the room and are in the States, I'd highly recommend a SVS Plus/2 over anything listed thus far. I wasn't blown away by the Paradigm Servo I demo'd in Canada a few weeks ago. It was very impressive with music, but just didn't hold a candle to what SVS offered in their larger lines - especially with HT.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/f636ff87.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB002.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB009.jpg

 

[Tdekany]

If you get 2 vtf2s you make sure to order the turbos for them. that should take care of the low bass. Even without, they go pretty deep. Awesome subs.

m2c

 

[kramskoi]

While i have both setups on order to test out for myself i was wondering what the other members opinions were on these two sub setups?
either...
(2-Two) HSU VTF-2 MKII (location will be back left and right) or
(1) Paradigm Servo-15 (location will be back left)

my room is 18x12x9tall. the rest of the system is...


Any thoughts would be apperciated, i will post my impressions after i try them out.

If you have discriminating "musical" tastes in low frequency reproduction, then the Paradigm should serve you well. It's about compromise really. If your tastes run the gamut of DVD video and you can live with less accuracy down low, then two HSU's should absolutely get the job done in 1900 cu. ft.

The Paradigm will perform better below 20 Hz and will probably feel more tactile (it simply moves more air). The two HSU's may offer a bit more output above 30 Hz...co-located of course. My personal choice would be the Servo-15, especially in your smaller room, though i'm partial to sealed subwoofers. I guess the decision comes down to output vs. extension/accuracy.

Both are good choices.

 

[Tex-amp]

If you get 2 vtf2s you make sure to order the turbos for them. that should take care of the low bass. Even without, they go pretty deep. Awesome subs.

m2c

I thought the turbo won't take them any deeper just louder?

 

[gmoneyreece]

thanks for all the feedback...i acually ended up going with two hsu vtf-2s, they were about $350 cheaper as a pair than the vtf-3s and the servo i had my eye on was sold. while the 2s don't get as low as my other choices they do fit my needs very well. i am about 75%+ movies and HD tv. if the turbo option took them lower, that would be an upgrade i might look at in the future but my understanding is that it only make them louder. with my current setup it is now very difficult to locate where the subs are placed. i have one in the back left corner on the room (or left side of couch) and the other placed on the right side of the couch.

 

[BassHead]

I like J Garcia's advice with one VTF-3 HO. If you have the room and are in the States, I'd highly recommend a SVS Plus/2 over anything listed thus far. I wasn't blown away by the Paradigm Servo I demo'd in Canada a few weeks ago. It was very impressive with music, but just didn't hold a candle to what SVS offered in their larger lines - especially with HT.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/f636ff87.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB002.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB009.jpg

I agree with Buckeyefan the servo is a good music sub but not for Ht use,Hsu or svs would be a better option than servo,the servo seems to be shy on bass and will not give you the thump.As for the price of the servo its not worth it,You can get two nice subs for the front and rear and would be much better.A hsu vtf 3mk2 in the front and a htf 2 for the rear will sound excellent.

 

[j_garcia]

thanks for all the feedback...i acually ended up going with two hsu vtf-2s, they were about $350 cheaper as a pair than the vtf-3s and the servo i had my eye on was sold. while the 2s don't get as low as my other choices they do fit my needs very well. i am about 75%+ movies and HD tv. if the turbo option took them lower, that would be an upgrade i might look at in the future but my understanding is that it only make them louder. with my current setup it is now very difficult to locate where the subs are placed. i have one in the back left corner on the room (or left side of couch) and the other placed on the right side of the couch.

I think you are confusing the High Output models with the Turbo option. The turbo add-on extends the length of the port, loweing tuning so they can go lower, not louder. I believe they said the turbo option could be added to all MkII VTF models (not sure about the STFs). It was supposed to be released late last year for the VTF-3, but I didn't see if that included the option for the VTF-2.

The VTF-2 is a great little sub.

Here are some pics of the VTF-2 and VTF-3 HO protos: http://changpics.smugmug.com/gallery/348235 I can't tell if those are the same as the current MkIIs or not.