Hsu STF 3 "Turbo Upgrade"

[Johnny Canuck]

Any info on this? Will all us Hsu owners be able to get this and are there any other add ons needed?

 

[craigsub]

Any info on this? Will all us Hsu owners be able to get this or is there any other add ons needed?

Johnny - STF-3 owners will be able to upgrade the unit for the "Turbo". You will need to change the amp's EQ and SS filter setting - but Hsu has indicated it will be a fairly simple task.

 

[silversurfer]

craig...can you tell us any more?

 

[craigsub]

craig...can you tell us any more?

This answer will be part speculation, and part half-a$$ed explanation of the "Turbo" option, and is written in plain English, rather than engineer-speak.

The STF-3 comes in the 25 Hz, two port open, configuration (Though some early ones were one port open, 20 Hz settings) ... The Turbo will be an external box with bent ports which will "dock" with the original ports, which will have the effect of lowering the tuning point (doubling the port area and adding the correct port length will accomplish this) without "using" any internal volume. A pretty cool idea.

The current STF-3 has a subsonic filter which removes bass from below its 25 Hz tuning point. It also has EQ built into the amp to give the STF-3 its flat response to 25 Hz.

For now, let's say the Turbo will lower the tuning point to 18 Hz, the subsonic filter's setting will need to be lowered to 18 Hz as well, and the Amp's EQ re-set to reflect this response curve. This will require either sending the entire sub or the amp from the sub back to Hsu, or it will require Hsu to send a "kit" to the consumer, with instructions. Possibly both options will be offered.

Once completed, The STF-3 "turbo" will/should have the same impact it (the STF-3) does today, with another 1/2 octave (an estimate) of extension into deeper bass than it already has.

Does this help ?

 

[silversurfer]

thanks! most of that has been posted on other forums in bits and pieces, thanks for pulling it together.

I was hoping for a release date or approximation from you.

 

[craigsub]

thanks! most of that has been posted on other forums in bits and pieces, thanks for pulling it together.

I was hoping for a release date or approximation from you.

I was wondering if that was what you meant. I know as much as you do. IS "eventually" an acceptable answer ?

 

[silversurfer]

it has been the answer so far, and I have been accepting it.

 

[mawst95]

This answer will be part speculation, and part half-a$$ed explanation of the "Turbo" option, and is written in plain English, rather than engineer-speak.

The STF-3 comes in the 25 Hz, two port open, configuration (Though some early ones were one port open, 20 Hz settings) ... The Turbo will be an external box with bent ports which will "dock" with the original ports, which will have the effect of lowering the tuning point (doubling the port area and adding the correct port length will accomplish this) without "using" any internal volume. A pretty cool idea.

The current STF-3 has a subsonic filter which removes bass from below its 25 Hz tuning point. It also has EQ built into the amp to give the STF-3 its flat response to 25 Hz.

For now, let's say the Turbo will lower the tuning point to 18 Hz, the subsonic filter's setting will need to be lowered to 18 Hz as well, and the Amp's EQ re-set to reflect this response curve. This will require either sending the entire sub or the amp from the sub back to Hsu, or it will require Hsu to send a "kit" to the consumer, with instructions. Possibly both options will be offered.

Once completed, The STF-3 "turbo" will/should have the same impact it (the STF-3) does today, with another 1/2 octave (an estimate) of extension into deeper bass than it already has.

Does this help ?

Why not save the trouble and buy the VTF-3 instead? Doesn't that have variable port tuning?

 

[craigsub]

Why not save the trouble and buy the VTF-3 instead? Doesn't that have variable port tuning?

Yes, It does - and it will also have the Turbo option. The STF-3 WITH Turbo should be a superior performer to the VTF-3.2 in its single port, 20 Hz setting, and should actually be comparable in performance to the VTF-3 with the turbo option.

Which means, depending on the cost of the turbo upgrade, the STF-3 could be the better choice for someone on a budget.

 

[Takeereasy]

Isn't HSU coming out with a new sub called the HSO or HTU or something like that in order to take advantage of the "turbo"? Sounds pretty exciting in either case. I think you're right craigsub, the STF 3 would be the real bargin for those on a budget looking to buy a sub. Someone like me for example . I could get the STF 3 and save up for the turbo option. I don't see how I could go wrong.

On a side note this week I drove out to audition HSU subs and to hear some speakers I've been dying to listen to and the shop wouldn't let me in. They only had one or two salesguys working and said that they were doing demos by appointment only that day. I told them that on their website it said they were open to the public on Tuesdays. They said that they were short staffed and that I should have called ahead (on the website it says to "drop on by"). Thank goodness there are other HSU dealers around. I listened to some HSU subs a long time ago, and I remember that I was impressed, but that was a long time ago. I'm pretty sure that my choices are narrowed down to HSU and Paradigm due to geographical/monetary constraints.

 

[HTFUN]

Takeereasy, which store did you visit?

 

[Takeereasy]

American Sound Specialists. Here's a Link. Please note the "Drop by our store......" above the store hours. I do think that I was unfair to them. Work has been a bit tough lately with our receptionist away. I often find myself forced to do my job now for minutes in a row . If they didn't have the ability to do a demo at the time I should have sucked it up, said thanks and made an appointment for another day. I should have called before I drove the half hour out there too. That plus they are closer than any other dealer for what I want by about a half hour.

 

[Tomorrow]

Craigsub,

Do you have any more information on the 'docking' of the turbo port(s)? On the surface, it sounds like a recipe for the evil port-noise (complaint, for you readers of the American classics , lol).

Also, what was with that single-but-huge port STF-3 seen on that other forum? Images of things to come at Hsu?

 

[annunaki]

To be honest this "Turbo" talk is...well...overly dramatic. In fact it is quite literally marketing speak. All they plan to do is lengthen the port outside the enclosure to give a lower tuning frequency. That, and simply change some basic settings on the amplifier to accommodate.

 

[silversurfer]

Right that is the "turbo".

The HO models will be bigger, larger and longer ports, and have the turbo option.

 

[craigsub]

To be honest this "Turbo" talk is...well...overly dramatic. In fact it is quite literally marketing speak. All they plan to do is lengthen the port outside the enclosure to give a lower tuning frequency. That, and simply change some basic settings on the amplifier to accommodate.

The fact that Hsu is doing something like this, which will allow the current owners of the STF-3, VTF-3 Mark II, and VTF-2 Mark II the opportunity to enhance their current product without having to buy a new subwoofer is a LOT more than "overly dramatic marketing speak".

It is quite a clever idea. It is also based on solid science. It is also a very good example of thinking of their current customer base.

If you want to compare this, for example, To Axiom. Why is the EP-600 worth $600 more than the EP-500 ? (And if anyone thinks I am "Anti-Axiom" here, I am not. I do have the Epic 80 system with the EP-600 upgrade on order).

 

[craigsub]

Craigsub,

Q1 ... Do you have any more information on the 'docking' of the turbo port(s)? On the surface, it sounds like a recipe for the evil port-noise (complaint, for you readers of the American classics , lol).

Q2 ... Also, what was with that single-but-huge port STF-3 seen on that other forum? Images of things to come at Hsu?

A1 ... It will lower port noise. A lot. Basically - The greater the port area for a particular "tune", the less port noise. The potential problem is if the "docking" was not airtight ...

A2 ... I would think Hsu is looking at an idea to lower the native tuning of the STF-3.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Dear annunaki,

To be honest this "Turbo" talk is...well...overly dramatic. In fact it is quite literally marketing speak. All they plan to do is lengthen the port outside the enclosure to give a lower tuning frequency. That, and simply change some basic settings on the amplifier to accommodate.

Craig is absolutely right. The "turbocharger" concept is designed to enhance or expand on the variable tuning idea that Dr. Hsu introduced so many years ago with the VTF-2. Turbocharger is a cost-effective way towards boosting low bass output, decreasing port turbulence-related noises, lowering tuning without sacrificing available port flow area, all while providing flexibility of use and all without compromising floor space. The neatest thing is that existing owners can instantly boost their low bass performance with this device.

In a sense, this is still an idea, since the product is not yet available in tangible form. However, in theory and from our initial testing results, the idea works very well in practice.

Sincerely,

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Peter:

any word when? Approximately at what cost? And will this upgrade be easy enough for us consumers to do on our own without paying for expensive shipping fees?

Thanks...

 

[Peter Marcks]

Good morning Johnny,

Release date is still not clear. The unit should cost a fraction of what one would have to pay if they purchased a second subwoofer altogether, although price has not been decided yet. This should be very easy to install, with relatively low shipping cost.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,