HSU or side-firing owners

[chpwaman]

I am looking at purchasing a HSU VTF-3 MK3...which I notice has a side-firing woofer. For anybody who has a side-firing woofer, does this make placement difficult, at least with regards to looks?

I'm thinking that your options become limited as I would want to make every attempt at not having the ported/control side of the sub be visible (no matter where the sub goes). I am used to front firing subs with the sub placement near the front of the room and the woofer pointing in the direction of the listening position...just have not experimented with a lot of placement options in the past.

In fact, HSU recommended that I position the sub directly behind my sofa with the woofer firing directly into the sofa about 2 inches away...unfortunately this position would make the back control portion of the sub extremely visible to other areas of the room. What do you think, is this just something you have to live with to get the best sound?

 

[j_garcia]

If you cross the sub low enough, it shouldn't be a big issue.

 

[chpwaman]

If you cross the sub low enough, it shouldn't be a big issue.

By the above do you mean that the sound won't be localized if the crossover is set low enough?

I have never heard a sub in the placement HSU recommended, but this would sure seem to make the sub very localized to the listening position.

 

[j_garcia]

Their recommendation is for maximum slam/tactile feel in a near field condition. That doesn't mean it is the best location in the room and may actually create room response issues because the bass will tend to collect at the sides of the room.

Yes, crossing low enough makes the bass coming from the sub less directional. Positioning of the driver (down, side, front) does have a small effect on the sound, but IMO placement has a bigger effect overall.

 

[rushwj]

I currently have the VTF3 HO and the port/control side faces a wall w/ the woofer firing into a very visible area. personally i do not notice where the sound originates. this was also a concern of mine as i was most used to down-firing and front-firing woofers prior to this. my fears were laid to rest w/ the side firing port. i cannot say why they went to this particular design, but the results are very pleasing and i do enjoy my sub! (w/ movies and music - when i don't play music in "pure direct")