Hsu VTF-3 MK3 Owners' Question

[bread29]

I recently purchased this sub and am very satisfied with the product. My question is in regard to max extension vs. max output. In my listening position, I feel that both ports open (max output) produces a much louder, lower, more powerful bass when watching movies. I know that this isn't correct, but I'm going purely on 'feeling'. I also fear using max extension, because the one time I did, I heard the sub bottom out (loud popping noise?). Am I missing out on something by not utilizing max extension?
I have a fairly large room (22 X 20) with a large opening to the kitchen. The volume on the sub is set to the 10-11 O'Clock position with my receiver adjusting the level to 80db using a radioshack digital spl meter.

Any help or tips on getting better performance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SopRage]

I run my VTF-2 in Max Extension, but only because I get it pretty linear down to around 16hz that way where it's placed and it's plenty of sub for how close I sit to it. Your VTF-3 is crazy linear all the way down to 20hz (or even lower in-room).

I can't imagine you'd get much more out of Max Extension. I am amazed that you managed to bottom out your VTF-3, though. How loud were you listening?!?!

 

[bread29]

I run my VTF-2 in Max Extension, but only because I get it pretty linear down to around 16hz that way where it's placed and it's plenty of sub for how close I sit to it. Your VTF-3 is crazy linear all the way down to 20hz (or even lower in-room).

I can't imagine you'd get much more out of Max Extension. I am amazed that you managed to bottom out your VTF-3, though. How loud were you listening?!?!

I swear the volume on the VTF-3 was only in the 10 to 11 O'Clock position! However, I do listen to movies a bit too loud sometimes....I'll blame it on the Yamaha.

 

[jliedeka]

I run mine in max extension. I have my gain set at about 11 o'clock but I'm in a small room (12x16x8). I've had it fairly loud without bottoming out.

Jim

 

[bread29]

I run mine in max extension. I have my gain set at about 11 o'clock but I'm in a small room (12x16x8). I've had it fairly loud without bottoming out.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

I'll turn it down a bit and experiment with max extension. I also still have my old Klipsch sub 10; what are your feelings with integrating that into the system?

 

[j_garcia]

I ran my VTF-2 in max extension all the time. Sounded better to me than output mode.

When working with a sub of a different type, you will either end up being limited by that sub's capabilities or it won't add anything beneficial. It is always worth a shot because YMMV as these things are very room dependent.

 

[jliedeka]

I suspect adding the 10" Klipsch won't help but I'd say try anyway, you may get lucky.

The Klipsch won't go as deep as the Hsu but it could help with some peaks and nulls within it's passband. That could make the really low frequencies sound lacking. Or, maybe not. Smoothing the mid to upper bass could make music sound better.

If you haven't already figured it out, I'm totally guessing, here. Generally the advice to use multiple subs to smooth room response assumes identical subs. Then again, theory is no substitute for empirical testing.

Jim

 

[j_garcia]

My guess is that it will give you more output but that it will end up sounding bloated rather than cleaner. Having said that, in my system I paired up a 12" SVS Plus based sub with a 12" passive radiator with my 15" vented sub and the results were fun. It didn't necessarily sound better, but all that output was great entertainment.

 

[bread29]

Thanks for the input fellas. I did add the Klipsch sub in a semi near-field location to my listening position. Although I haven't had adequate time to test, it did sound as if the bass was given a boost in the room. It wasn't too 'boomy', and was kind of fun with the extra addition. I may keep the setup.