Enter to Win: STF-2 Sub from Hsu!

[Bryce_H]

My answers all have to do with more seamlessly intergrating a sub into a setup. These are all nice to have, as they are worthless if a sub doesn't sound good.

Additional veneers - to better match other components

Slimmer - more placement options and takes up less floor space

DSP - help control some "other" issues that may be present in a room.

 

[stephenfrancis]

Contest Question: What new features or enhancements would you like to see in our product line offering and services? Choose 3 from the list below, and explain in the forum:​

• Slimmer profile subwoofer model
• Bookshelf type speakers
• DSP technology

Since the foundation of Hsu Research is subwoofers, I think that Hsu can take it to the next level with additional enhancements to an already great subwoofer. Automatic setup and calibration would benefit Hsu in a huge way. Velodyne is taking the lead on this and doing a good job. But I prefer the Hsu sound over the Velodyne.

Smaller subs are always welcome. The VTF-3 isn't exactly a small sub.

Expand on the success of the ventriliquist system by creating speakers that push the envelope. Maybe some super slim floorstanders. Maybe some bookshelves with built in subs? Who knows! Use your sub experience too your advantage.

Steve

 

[paintrodsey]

DSP - a good parametric EQ would be great, most rooms need one

Different Veneer Options - like someone said before, a nice piano black, some unique wood veneers are really nice.

Bookshelf speakers - Good moderately priced bookshelf speakers are always great, floorstanders that blend well with your subs would help.

 

[KnightRT]

I'm strongly partial to DSP technology.

There's still too much voodoo in subwoofer setup. No one wants to buy an SPL meter and fiddle with the response curve of the subwoofer. Ideally, the sub would have an autocalibration system like that on Harman Kardon receivers. One could place a meter in the listening position, play a frequency sweep, plug the meter into the sub, and have the sub automatically compensate for room resonance and the like.

There's also a lot of room to be innovative on the Hsu internet site. And I don't mean 'slick'; slick to me means graphics and razzledazzle that add nothing. New content, though, particularly if it's innovative, is always welcome. Like, an easy Flash application that would let you input the general layout of your room, and would then list two or three calculated optimal subwoofer positions. Or even just frequency response curves for Hsu's various products.

Bookshelf speakers are another interesting avenue, but I wouldn't do that unless Hsu is certain they would be the best at their price point. I assume most of Hsu sales are direct online. Many, if not most online sales are referrals. That's not really the case with retail chains, but people buy here because someone said it was great in a forum like this. It's all very winner-take-all, and it doesn't pay as much to be second place.

DI

 

[nyf]

Veneers are usually something that looks better on a webpage than in your room with your ten other woodgrains but the options shows you care.

Slimmer profiles are almost always the way to go, also, though the current models have a pretty respectable footprint.

The amp options/DSP go towards the improving sound quality issue, which will probably sell you more subs, but it's tough to commit to one option without specifics. Innovative ideas (analogous to the mid-bass modules) will be where you can really distinguish an already excellent product.

 

[WorldLeader]

I chose:

Additional finish options
Slicker web page
DSP technology


The reasons I chose the different finish options is because it will attract customers who may already have a whole set of piano gloss speakers and want to add a sub that will match perfectly. Adding different finish options adds more flexibility.

The current HSU website is fine, but as a web designer myself I can tell it is a bit dated. The tabs at the top are straight off of Apple's website, and many people may see that as a bad thing. Cool content that would allow users to submit floor plans or room dimensions for recommendations would also be nice. Minimalist sites are becoming increasingly popular. If you can make a site that appears non-threatening and still displays all the info, you are bound to make customers feel better about ordering from you. DON'T add unnecessary flash content or pop-ups, this makes a website feel cheesy and untrustable.

DSP tech is really handy, especially for my room with slanted walls and strange corners. It just helps a lot for people who don't have much tuning experience (or equipment)


Streamlining the user experience is always a good idea. Good luck!

 

[steinoch]

DSP:I have seen the benefit in other subs and allows for the variablity in each theater
Additional wood veneer: I'm a woodworker and love the look of natural woods. Option increase the likelihood of matching my existing furniture.
Slimmer profile subwoofer model: good for the WAF

 

[Fuchal]

Slimmer profile subwoofer model - No one can complain about more options. This would be great for my apartment for which larger subs are just plain overkill.

 

[kingtut]

1) Additional finish, especially cherry, for the all too important WAF.
2) DSP with room EQ to tame and flatten the FR curve
3) Bookshelf speakers like the pair w/the horn tweeter Hsu displayed at the recent electronic show. The Vantroloquist is great for movie, but it's not as good for music production due to its small enclosure. A larger enclosure like the proto-type model that was recently displayed by Hsu would be much better for music. Most people use the same system for both movies and music due to lack of room, so it makes perfect sense to have speakers that are very good for both.

 

[Sheep]

I choose "miscellaneous".

I think they (the subwoofers) are perfect the way they are. K.I.S.S. Black. Simple. Make boom.

OR

Go for the extreme ... custom paint jobs. Like a spider-man web motive in black and red. And dark red neon under carriage lighting. That would look sweet. Another one would be a dark blue pearl coat finish, with a volume sensitive light cluster lighting up to the beat.

I hate to burst your bubble, but you have to have US residence.

Damnit, that is SO weak.

SheepStar

 

[Ron Temple]

I've experienced variable tuning and EQ on subs and while these can't apply to the STF2, I think DSP/EQ and variable tuning are features that we need for the next generation subwoofer. It's just too convenient to be able to adjust your sub to the room and dial in the best sound per application possible. Obviously, prices will have to come down, but expectations drive the market. Work on it.

 

[bearearz]

here's to wining this one!

Bookshelf speakers are in need of a great-stand-out speaker!The More(quality)the better! High-quality wood is a great start.More amplification/features is also a welcome improvement! All the best to all!

 

[corey]

Additional amplifier features
No, your products already rock

Additional wood veneer choices like cherry, bird's eye maple, ash, rosewood, piano black
No, they already look great.

Slimmer profile subwoofer model
No, physics rule, you need volume.

Bookshelf type speakers
Yes. Most “bookshelf” type speakers won’t work in a bookshelf or on the wall.

"Slicker" web page look
No, fine web site.

DSP technology
Big yes. We can’t all make a room for the sub. Help the sub fit our current room.

Miscellaneous - describe in detail in the forum
Yes. Maybe front firing. My home is on stilts, not a slab.

 

[KenHolder]

Dsp

DSP appears to be the coming thing.

 

[malvado78]

DSP Technology
Always a good option. Does not replace room treatments but helps deal with the room interactions better.

Miscellaneous
The cylinder subs come back. I recently purchased a 20-39PC+ mostly because my wife liked the cylinder better than the box subs. If you had a comparative product then I would have definitely considered it.

 

[daman4799]

I would like to have more finishes to the sub for WAF. Also having bookshelves to match the sub.

Later, Daman

 

[MrPorterhouse]

Contest Question: What new features or enhancements would you like to see in our product line offering and services? Choose 3 from the list below, and explain in the forum:


First, with the complexity of many home theater rooms, living rooms, media rooms, bedrooms, and other rooms where subs may be located, DSP functinality is a much desired feature.

Second, to go along with the DSP feature, having more flexible AMPLIFIER functionality is also a valuable feature that can greatly impact the sound quality.

Third, with flat panel tvs and other contemporary styling taking off, having a SLIM profile subwoofer fits very well into the homes of the 21st century.


My hats off to HSU for listening to the voice of the customer and incorporating it into their design approach. Proactive is good.

 

[jasoneuc]

I chose:

Additional Amplifier Features - specificially I'd like to be able to run L+R pre-outs to the amp, use the amp's crossover, then feed a filtered return L+R back into my Rotel receiver.

Slimmer profile - always helps the WAF as long as performance isn't impacted too much

DSP Technology - more tech is always better - well, in this case anyway

 

[jake51s]

I chose additional amplifier options and DSP technology. I think both of those would help make setting up a calibrating a sub much easier. With the DSP one would also be able to really see what it could do.

I think a slicker webpage would also be in order. I find the current one a little tough to navigate, finding information on new products can be tough. I think consumers reading subwoofer reviews online, then going to the website to purchase may become a little wary. I know that is the feeling I have, the site is not nearly as slick as some of the online competition.

 

[ehurnie]

Additional wood veneer choices like cherry, bird's eye maple, ash, rosewood, piano black. This is useful for matching the decor in the rest of the room.

Bookshelf type speakers. These would be a good product to sell because a matching system is nice to have.

DSP technology. Very useful in the integration of the sub into the various rooms in which speakers are placed.