Dual HSU subs vs SVS Single Double Driver sub

[satish536]

Well im looking for a subwoofer for my home theater.

After reading various opinions, guides etc on this website i have come to the question wether i should get two HSU VTF-2 MK3 or a single SVS PB-12 Plus/2

Room Size: approx 2200 Cuft

Option 1: 2 x HSU VTF-2 MK3
Amp Power (RMS)250
Frequency Response (maxiumum extension mode)18 Hz
Frequency Response (maxiumum output mode)25 Hz
Woofer Size12 Inches
CrossoverBypassable 24 dB/Oct, continuously variable 30 - 90 Hz low pass filter
Phase0/180°

Option 2: 1 x SVS PB-12 Plus/2
# Twin SVS designed/built "Plus 12.3" woofers
# Full-featured 900 watt BASH digital amp
# Built-in, flush-mount amp configuration
# Down-firing with integrated SVS base-plate
# Compliant floor mounts, low center of gravity
# Three patented 4" high-flow flared ports.
# Assembled and tested by SVS in its Ohio factory
# Extra heavy-duty detachable 8 foot power cord
# Fine textured and gloss black, or wood veneer
# Variable 16Hz, 20Hz or 25Hz tuning

I am leaning towards two HSU's to minimize localization issues etc. and get more flexibility with placement since ill have two seperate woofers instead of a single chassis.

Any opinions, comments, advice from you audioholics would be much appreciated.

Thanks as always
satish

 

[Bluesmoke]

You're buying the SVS in Canada right? If so, then the PB13 ultra is only $100 more.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'd go with the svs, that way you don't have to worry about trying to get 2 subs to play together nicely.

 

[hondajake]

Thats a lot of subwoofer. My current room is about 2000 cubic ft and once we move into our new house it will be about 2600 cubic feet. I just bought a 20-39PCi sub...

 

[mazersteven]

Thats a lot of subwoofer. My current room is about 2000 cubic ft and once we move into our new house it will be about 2600 cubic feet. I just bought a 20-39PCi sub...

One mans "overkill" is another mans "headroom".

 

[annunaki]

I would do dual single drivers over a single dual driver setup. The bass response can be much more evenly balanced. Add a high quality eq and you can have nearly perfect in-room response down to 18hz or so.

 

[mike c]

agree with the Canada plus/2 vs. Ultra thing. it's just much too close in price.

though I have to add, taxes suck!

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Take it from me, get this setup, its the cats meow. One Hsu Research VTF-3 HO Turbo for 16 Hz to 50 Hz, then add a Hsu MBM-12 FOR 50 Hz to your desired crossover freq, probably 80 Hz.

Dr. Hsu knows his stuff when it comes to subs, and the above setup will blow your mind and rock your world.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html

Thats 850 watts going through two 12's and designed to work together. I'll be buying an MBM-12 when I make room in my bedroom (Man cave v2.1).

 

[fmw]

I don't know anything about either one but I would recommend the single sub. Two reasons. The first is that bass extension is a function of the design of the sub. Adding a second sub doesn't add extension. It just adds volume. The single sub's specs can overpower your room as it is, if you let it.

The second is that I assume both options are close in price. Most people would be better served with one higher quality or higher performance unit than two lesser ones.

So there's an opinion from someone with zero experience with either product.

 

[annunaki]

The HSU subs are both good to 18hz-20hz. They are not an inadequate subwoofer. The user will be best served in using two of them as opposed to a single SVS dual driver unit. Sure the dual driver unit might go a bit deeper but will the OP really be able to tell the difference between 16hz and 18hz? Not likely at all. The dual subs will allow better room interaction and better overall in-room response as opposed to one unit placed (properly) in the room.

In effect, the dual single driver subs will sound fuller and louder since they will help balance room response.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I have never heard an SVS PB-13 Ultra, but I know this much. A woofer designed to dig deep, say to 16 Hz like my Hsu VTF-3 HO Turbo, will have a heavier cone than a Mid Bass Module 12, which has a lighter cone, and therefore is able to have punchy bass from 50-150 Hz.

Now, my sub has several configs, for different types of output, and I know that SVS also has "tone controls" if you will, but again, a heavy cone cannot reproduce earthquakes and punchy kick drums as well as the the config that I suggested. You can't have a Big SUV and expect it to handle like a Mini Cooper.

Not trying to start a flame fest here, I'm just a "Fanboy" of Hsu Research, and owner of their flagship model. I also own a M&K MX 200, Infinity PS-12, and have home auditioned a $1000.00 Velodyne.

Just my .02 cents.

Ric

 

[satish536]

thanks for the opinions guys.

Where does the Emotiva DRS-1/DSA-1 stand as compared to the above two option ?

Drivers

* 2) 12” woofers
* 2) Critically damped sealed sub-woofer enclosures with double walled baffles and extensive internal bracing
* Composite fiber reinforced cones for light weight, rigid and low resonance
* Asymmetrical compressed foam surround to reduce edge resonance
* Proprietary high X-Max motor structure with patented voice coil cooling
* Flat progressive rate spider with sub-structure venting
* High temperature aluminum former
* Precision cast aluminum frame

DSA-1 amplifier

* Super efficient 600 wrms/ 800 watt peak class D amplifier stage
* 24 Bit DSP front end with digital based dynamics processing
* Proprietary EMOQ Auto Room correction
* Dual Mode operation (Movie and Music)
* Digital variable low pass crossover with selectable 12 or 24db/octave slopes
* Digital variable “True Phase” control (0-360)
* Manual/ Auto sensing / 12 volt trigger
* Movie mode trigger

 

[satish536]

One mans "overkill" is another mans "headroom".

wisely said ................ and that is the exact point

I want no compromise good quality uniform bass all around the room.

Dont worry about the hassle, inconvenience etc. i just want 100% no compromise best bass possible.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Emotiva Subs

If I could sell my sub for a descent price, I would not pass go but instead buy this system. Two 12's, plenty of power, room eq, what else do you need? Punchy sealed cabinets (smaller than ported).

Read here:http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-drs-1/?searchterm=Emotiva subs

As a matter of fact, set this up on my living room system. I can't setup a dual Hsu system. Hmm.

 

[abboudc]

My vote is the dual Hsu's.

The plus/2 is an awesome sub too.

 

[AdrianMills]

As someone has already said, if the price is only $100 difference between the plus /2 and the new Ultra13 where you live then go for the Ultra13. Trust me, I have both and although the plus/2 is a nice sub, the Ultra13 is just awesome not only in output but in quality. Read around and you'll find that anyone who is anyone rates the Ultra as high or higher than subs costing many times its price - some renowned sub testers rate it higher than just about any commercial sub of this size or smaller. My CD collection has had a new lease of life after I received mine!

Oh, and really, ignore the fallacious info about not being able to dig deep and also have mid bass punch.

And yes, 2x subs or more may get you a more generally flatter response all over the room if you successfully manage to integrate them but if your listening room generally has only you in it and you generally sit in one place - who cares exactly? An "audiophile" friend was over my place and he was sitting in a particularly awful spot with regards to bass FR and he never noticed the difference and unless the bass boom is extreme, most people are just like that.

 

[Davemcc]

If I could sell my sub for a descent price, I would not pass go but instead buy this system. Two 12's, plenty of power, room eq, what else do you need? Punchy sealed cabinets (smaller than ported).

Read here:http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-drs-1/?searchterm=Emotiva subs

As a matter of fact, set this up on my living room system. I can't setup a dual Hsu system. Hmm.

I have the Emotiva subs on order as I type. I have heard them and was quite impressed with them. They seemed accurate and effortless even at elevated SPL.

I have both an SVS PB-12 Plus and a Hsu STF-3 in the living room that seem fairly well integrated using the SMS-1. My wife has heard both individually and together. She will not allow me to go back to a single sub in the living room. That's my experience, FWIW.

 

[Davemcc]

In light of my post above, I have embarked upon an experiment at great personal risk. (The wife is tiny, but her fingers are bony and sharp when clenched in a fist.)

I took the Hsu out of the room. I recall somebody posted that tuning the SVS to the 16hz tune smoothed out the FR. So I put the plug in and tuned it to 16hz. I got out the SMS-1 mic, reset to unit to factory defaults and tuned the SVS until I got practically ruler flat FR. I had to add 1 or 2 db around 40hz and 50hz as a compromise for multiple listening positions, but it's still pretty flat. Then I ran it about 5db hot to give her the sound she's used to and prefers.

We'll see if a single sub tuned well can satisfy my bass-crazed disco-junky wife.

 

[AdrianMills]

We'll see if a single sub tuned well can satisfy my bass-crazed disco-junky wife.

Hm, sounds like an ex-girlfriend of mine.

 

[annunaki]

I have never heard an SVS PB-13 Ultra, but I know this much. A woofer designed to dig deep, say to 16 Hz like my Hsu VTF-3 HO Turbo, will have a heavier cone than a Mid Bass Module 12, which has a lighter cone, and therefore is able to have punchy bass from 50-150 Hz.

Now, my sub has several configs, for different types of output, and I know that SVS also has "tone controls" if you will, but again, a heavy cone cannot reproduce earthquakes and punchy kick drums as well as the the config that I suggested. You can't have a Big SUV and expect it to handle like a Mini Cooper.

Not trying to start a flame fest here, I'm just a "Fanboy" of Hsu Research, and owner of their flagship model. I also own a M&K MX 200, Infinity PS-12, and have home auditioned a $1000.00 Velodyne.

Just my .02 cents.

Ric

The weight of the cone matters not if the motor is up to the task of keeping it accurate and linear, higher in the frequency range. The JL Audio 12W6v2 & 12W7 play very deep yet are some pof the most supple drivers higher up the frequency range, with no blooming near an 80hz crossover point.

Another way around this is to use a light weight, well damped cone but simply make it larger or move farther so it will play deeper, i.e. a PB-13 Ultra; a well designed 15" sub; the 13W7; etc.

Sure there are some compromises that must be made, but saying a person needs a midbass module with a subwoofer just because it is designed to play low is way off. One must look at the subwoofer as an entire system and how it functions AS ONE. Narrowing an opinion down to a heavy cone is looking at only one part of the entire system. Not all subs capable of digging real deep use heavy cones as I highlighted above. A lighter cone, a bit larger, with a lot of linear excursion capability can effectively achieve the same thing.