How much power do you need?

[moves]

I am wondering how much power is needed before you get into the 'too much' zone? For example, could you get two VTF - 3 MK4s from HSU in a 10 X 20 room and control the power? Would it sound too over powering? Maybe going with two VTF - 2s instead would be better... what do you think?

 

[ImcLoud]

I actually prefer the vtf2's to the 3.... I have 2 of them and there is simply no need to play them unless I intend on playing a movie super loud. A single vtf2 can over power my room which is over 300sq with 9ft ceilings.. 2 of them cracked the ceiling.. It gets old after a while, I honestly think I could get by with a vtf1 lol.. I have listened to systems with a single 10" PE sub and its good enough for a rumble, it just depends on how far you want to go, I honestly can not picture the residential room room that would need 2 vtf2's played over 3/4 level? Sure some people may want more, but there does come a point that you will over power your mains... What good is the bass if you can not make out the dialog.

 

[moves]

2 smaller subs will work more efficiently as well compared to just one. So maybe two of the vtf1s would be enough.... I would want to compare it to the 2s though.

 

[shadyJ]

A larger sub may actually be more efficient than two small subs, depending on what you mean by efficiency. However, this wouldn't be the case for the VTF2 vs the VTF3. As far as that goes, I would go for the VTF3s if its a coin toss between the two. It simply gets louder, and disproportionately louder with respect in deep bass. Two would rock a 10x20 room. However, if you don't intend to really rock your system and aren't as concerned with deep bass, the VTF2 will do just fine. It all depends on what you are after.

 

[ImcLoud]

A larger sub may actually be more efficient than two small subs, depending on what you mean by efficiency. However, this wouldn't be the case for the VTF2 vs the VTF3. As far as that goes, I would go for the VTF3s if its a coin toss between the two. It simply gets louder, and disproportionately louder with respect in deep bass. Two would rock a 10x20 room. However, if you don't intend to really rock your system and aren't as concerned with deep bass, the VTF2 will do just fine. It all depends on what you are after.

Have you heard these subs? Im not sure why but the vtf2 actually seems louder, or should I say cleaner/louder, it looks like the vtf3 goes to 16hz vs the vtf2 is at 18, if you can tell the diff between 16 and 18 hz then that is impressive {obviously played in sequence you can hear the 16 is a little deeper but while playing content I don't think you will her it, and Im not sure what you are playing that goes to 16, lol... anyway, it is $200 per sub more, if you can honestly say listening to both shows a $200 improvement than buy the 3's, but I have had them side by sidee and money isnt an issue with me and I like the 2's... Now on the other hand if you are comparing the vtf15, that is a different story the output difference is noticeable, but I can not tell if they go deeper anyone that says they can with their ears is dreaming {IMO}....

 

[shadyJ]

According to Hsu, there is about a 5 dB advantage at 16 Hz with the VTF3. That is a significant difference. I bet you that would be audible on something like War of the Worlds or Tron, or especially track 1 on that Hsu demo disc, that Saint Saens organ symphony. Besides, the differences aren't as simple as sub A extends 2 Hz deeper than sub B, even with subwoofers as similar as the VTF3 and VTF2. In two ports mode you get a 3 dB increase across the board. That is the advantage of a large cabinet and big ports, because otherwise it would take 2x the amp power to hit that level. If you don't need the extension, you can run it in two ports mode and get big output. Whether that is worth $200 more is up to the end user. For me, I would say it is, occasionally I like to watch a movie at reference levels, or rock the music hard too.

 

[zhimbo]

It hasn't been said clearly, so I will: it doesn't matter how much power or how big your subs are, it will NEVER get "overpowering" because you calibrate your subs. If it's overpowering, you're running them too hot. Larger and more powerful subs will play the same level as lesser subs, but more cleanly. The question is at what point you're simply paying for unused headroom, not at what point you'll "overpower" things.