Comparison between the Hsu VTF-3 HO and the SVS PB12-Ultra

[ssabripo]

Tonight, we switched between the two subs for War of the Worlds - specifically the lightning scene then the machines break through the ground scene.

In the machines coming through the ground scene, I was worried, both times, that I would be calling for new drivers.

Both subwoofers were pretty potent - louder than I care to listen, with rare exceptions. That being said, they both would require multiple units to achieve that elusive "reference" level in our 4000 ^ 3 foot basement.

In this case, the SVS was a bit more forceful in energizing the room than was the Hsu - and these two scenes need LOTS of horsepower. The SVS, subjectively, has a bit more HP in the deepest bass.

The units were set up as follows: Two ports open, 16 Hz for the Ultra and Turbo installed, 16 Hz for the VTF-3 HO.

Next up is posting the graphs - and watching Return of the King.

Will the graphs match the subjective ?

Round 2 - SVS PB12-Ultra

outstanding .... good shizznick my brotha....good shizznick!

 

[jakeman]

Nonetheless, I'm disappointed in Mr. Bott. Two persons appeared to have the agenda of closing the thread, and, sadly, Mr. Bott played right into their hands. I know it's more difficult and time consuming to ferret out the troublemakers and exorcise them, than it is to simply close the thread. But, punishing the few miscreants alone is much fairer to the considerably larger number of those who did not cause trouble and were simply interested in the results of the comparison.

Ah well. Looking forward to the rest of the findings, Craig.

I think David Bott played into Manic's strategy of getting the thread shut down. I may drop him a PM about it because those constant closures are hurting that forum. I think he should adopt the Audioholics policy of ferreting out the miscreants.

I've always liked this site anyway and will likely spend more time here.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Mr. Bott needs to add a "steam vent" to the forum.

 

[ssabripo]

I think David Bott played into Manic's strategy of getting the thread shut down. I may drop him a PM about it because those constant closures are hurting that forum. I think he should adopt the Audioholics policy of ferreting out the miscreants.

I've always liked this site anyway and will likely spend more time here.

John, Please leave that nonsense over there at AVS.... whether it was X, or Y, or Z individual, lets not derail this thread with a psychological analysis of who or why the problems at AVS exist. What happens in Vegas...uhm, I mean, AVS, stays in Veg...AVS. Lets keep this forum and this thread clean and fresh.


Speaking of tests, Craig, do me a favor.....just for a few minutes if possible, could you feed the NCAA games audio from CBS HD to the subs. Funny, but we always measure music, HT, etc, but one area where I find it kinda interesting is the LFE on life events. Both the Sonotube (RP-L 15) from ChasW98 and the ACI maestro from Launche showed some very natural reproduction of the LFE in live "arena" type events, and it was actually pretty refreshing..... I'm wondering how the Ultra and HO will do in this area. I know it is minor, but it would be a nice little "detail" test nonetheless...

 

[Eddie Horton]

That's not a bad idea, Sherv. Since this review leans on the subjective as much as a pure numbers review, it'd be nice to see all the ways we use our sub tested. A little music, a little HT, some HD sporting events, hell, fire up the XM radio if you can.

 

[craigsub]

The only HD feed we get here in backwater central is ESPN ... But that could be some fun over the weekend, maybe with an NBA game. I was also looking over the graphs - it could be fun to see how the DD-18 stacks up against the Ultra and VTF-3HO ... and I might also toss the EP-500 into the mix over the weekend.

We are supposed to have a lot of wintry stuff, so I will have the time. Besides, all the subs are in the basement theater already.

The "Pods coming out from the ground" two minutes is the hardest 2 minutes of continuous bass I have ever heard. It punishes a subwoofer FAR more than does the lightning scene.

 

[initech]

Hi Craig,

Could you explain to me how the test is blind? Its your equipment and your set up, so how do you not really know which sub is playing?

btw I don't think you're biased and it wouldn't bother me how you gave impressions blinded or unblinded.

 

[craigsub]

Hi Craig,

Could you explain to me how the test is blind? Its your equipment and your set up, so how do you not really know which sub is playing?

btw I don't think you're biased and it wouldn't bother me how you gave impressions blinded or unblinded.

Simple - I have my son turn off one sub and turn on the other. I cannot see which is on - and you really cannot tell which is which as far as location, as they are right next to each other, and about 12 feet from me. Both subs are always plugged into the Emotiva. If this makes sense to you, that'd be greeeeeaaaaaaat ...

 

[initech]

I gonna have to ask you, to ask your son, to stay away from those subwoofers and have a hearing check....MMMMMMKAY

 

[JeffD2.]

The only HD feed we get here in backwater central is ESPN ... .

Good luck. I watched the Duke - North Carolina game a couple weeks ago on ESPN-HD and EVERYTHING came out of the CC even though my display indicated a 5.1 feed.

 

[jakeman]

John, Please leave that nonsense over there at AVS.... whether it was X, or Y, or Z individual, lets not derail this thread with a psychological analysis of who or why the problems at AVS exist. What happens in Vegas...uhm, I mean, AVS, stays in Veg...AVS. Lets keep this forum and this thread clean and fresh.

Ssapribo there were several posts about the AVS problem before mine, please stop these inane nonsensical statements as I'd rather not dignify your posts with a response.

 

[ssabripo]

Ssapribo there were several posts about the AVS problem before mine, please stop these inane nonsensical statements as I'd rather not dignify your posts with a response.

oh brother....here we go! the cancer keeps growing...

anyways...moving on.

Craig, do you by any chance have a copy of Jeff Lorber's Flipside? (here.... ) It's probably one of the best transfers of any kind, and an excellent reference (THE reference actually, imo), and should be an excellent addition to test them out. I can send you some mp3 rips or a CD copy if you wanna test it out for this shootout. This and the "live arena" stuff would be excellent for many of us.

 

[RMK!]

Oh brother is right, you cheap shot John and when he responds, you do your cute little ICON number and slough it off.

By all means, move on.

oh brother....here we go! the cancer keeps growing...

anyways...moving on.

Craig, do you by any chance have a copy of Jeff Lorber's Flipside? (here.... ) It's probably one of the best transfers of any kind, and an excellent reference (THE reference actually, imo), and should be an excellent addition to test them out. I can send you some mp3 rips or a CD copy if you wanna test it out for this shootout. This and the "live arena" stuff would be excellent for many of us.

 

[kingtut]

Craig, did the Mrs. get a chance to take more pix? (including the back of the a Hsu)

 

[gmichael]

This is a great thread.

Love the information on these two subs. Keep it coming.

 

[jakeman]

Craig. I don't know if Bosso left you a copy of Animusic but if he did it would be interesting to read your impressions of how that sounds on the HSU.

 

[smokey007]

All i can say is wow. nice to see the thread staying on topic. Craig i have two vtf3 mk2 subs. I was just wondering if they are still close to the new HO subs. Or are the HO subs in another leauge. Also Before the Ho and Turbo were released i heard the turbo could be used with the vtf3. Is that true. If so would there be any benifit to adding them to the vtf3 subs.

 

[steve nn]

Nice job with the graphs Craig. When I first viewed them, I thought to myself how nice it would be to see them overlaid and then wouldn't you know in the next post or so.. there it was.

I think I'm caught up now and it looks as though it's one for one with your listening impressions correlating with the subject material. You know that WOTW is one cooked up LFE track! I need to revisit that this weekend since the wife will be gone.

HJ Rookie

 

[jmprader]

All i can say is wow. nice to see the thread staying on topic. Craig i have two vtf3 mk2 subs. I was just wondering if they are still close to the new HO subs. Or are the HO subs in another leauge. Also Before the Ho and Turbo were released i heard the turbo could be used with the vtf3. Is that true. If so would there be any benifit to adding them to the vtf3 subs.

Can't help you as to the differences with the Mk2's, but I'm happy with the improvements over my old 12va.

There will be a turbo for the vtf-3 but it is apparently due after the Hsu catch up on pre-orders with the HO. I'd check timing by calling Hsu Sales.

If you're a port plugger for max extension and want max possible spl, I think the general consensus is go with a turbo. I've seen some comments that the turbo may be the identical unit (with a reducer) as the HO turbo and therefore be wider than the vtf3Mk2, so you may want to check that out, too.

The noise level has been much lower over here...

 

[chasw98]

The noise level has been much lower over here...

I, too have succumbed and moved over here. It's kinda like changin neigborhood bars when one gets too rough and the atmosphere isn't what it used to be. Good job, Craig. Great reading. I will be following along learning.

Chuck