Hsu VTF 3-Mk3

[mtrycrafts]

Some of you may be interested in this review in the latest T$S, issue 111, page 50. Seems impressive, especially for the $$$.

 

[Tdekany]

thanks for the info! Hsu subs usually get excellent reviews from Pros.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Thanks for reading mtrycrafts, I enjoyed the review too! We have a copy of the review up on our website now.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for reading mtrycrafts, I enjoyed the review too! We have a copy of the review up on our website now.

What can I say, T$S is about the only thing left worth reading. When you have a great product, no nonsense, easy to recommend. S&V has more and is great too.

Since I just realized your position, I have a question about that sub.
What would happen if that turbocharger box on top would be as long and as wide as the main enclosure? I would like the looks better for one.

 

[Peter Marcks]

mtry, that would be perfectly fine too. Although we haven't released it yet, we have a box called "supercharger" which attaches to the subwoofer through the amplifier cutout. This effectively doubles the internal volume, as opposed to double the port length, in order to achieve a lower port tuning. This probably will be preferred by many aesthetically since height need not be increased, although floorspace occupied is much more and it is also less practical to easily remove at any moment. Definitely pluses and minuses to either approach.

Sincerely,

 

[mtrycrafts]

mtry, that would be perfectly fine too. Although we haven't released it yet, we have a box called "supercharger" which attaches to the subwoofer through the amplifier cutout. This effectively doubles the internal volume, as opposed to double the port length, in order to achieve a lower port tuning. This probably will be preferred by many aesthetically since height need not be increased, although floorspace occupied is much more and it is also less practical to easily remove at any moment. Definitely pluses and minuses to either approach.

Sincerely,

Thanks for the response, again.
I guess I assumed the box on top was the turbo. Do you have a picture of the turbo that you can post here?

 

[AVRat]

The box on top is the turbo unit. When you mentioned moving it forward, the first thing I thought of was "supercharger". LOL

 

[mtrycrafts]

The box on top is the turbo unit. When you mentioned moving it forward, the first thing I thought of was "supercharger". LOL

Well, now that I am re-reading his post, it seems there is yet another unit they are coming out with, a supercharger that I confused with the turbo.
So, I was right in my assumption about that box on top is the turbo. My question was about making that box the same rectangular size as the sub top and what would that do, if anything meaningful.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

mtry, that would be perfectly fine too. Although we haven't released it yet, we have a box called "supercharger" which attaches to the subwoofer through the amplifier cutout. This effectively doubles the internal volume, as opposed to double the port length, in order to achieve a lower port tuning. This probably will be preferred by many aesthetically since height need not be increased, although floorspace occupied is much more and it is also less practical to easily remove at any moment. Definitely pluses and minuses to either approach.

Sincerely,

Peter,

I think he meant what if the box was "pancaked" on top of the existing sub, exactly equal to the dimensions of the top of the existing box, rather than adding a box to the rear of the existing sub through the amp opening. That's a neat idea. My next question would be - why not just make a larger box rather than adding pieces and longer ports?

 

[Matt34]

My next question would be - why not just make a larger box rather than adding pieces and longer ports?

I believe it's part of their "modular" sub system. A subwoofer with add-ons that the user can decide on based on their needs without having to buy a entirely new sub.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think he meant what if the box was "pancaked" on top of the existing sub, exactly equal to the dimensions of the top of the existing box,

Yes, that is what I meant and that would look more appealing to my eyes Looks matter.

 

[AVRat]

It might even look better if the ports could be wired up with LEDs that brightened with sound intensity. LOL!

 

[mtrycrafts]

It might even look better if the ports could be wired up with LEDs that brightened with sound intensity. LOL!

That would be a good option if it had an on/off switch, yes.
I bet you could do several patterns of light; selectable by user, of course.
Maybe even frequency dependent colors so you know what frequency is hitting?

 

[Peter Marcks]

Dear Buckeye,

Peter,

I think he meant what if the box was "pancaked" on top of the existing sub, exactly equal to the dimensions of the top of the existing box, rather than adding a box to the rear of the existing sub through the amp opening. That's a neat idea. My next question would be - why not just make a larger box rather than adding pieces and longer ports?

The problem with making a larger box is exactly that, a much larger and heavier box that one is forced to live with. Being able to fit dual 4" ports at 16Hz port tuning would require a much bigger box, and even then one would still very much benefit from turbocharger or supercharger as opposed to plugging a port to achieve the lower port tuning.

Sincerely,

 

[Peter Marcks]

Yes, that is what I meant and that would look more appealing to my eyes Looks matter.

mtry, it would certainly be no problem to design a full length turbo that rests on top of the sub and has the same depth as the base enclosure. In fact, we have discussed this internally in the past! However, this would result in an even lower port tuning than the 16Hz used in extended bass mode. Also, the box needed for this turbo would be more than twice as large as the current turbocharger, so heavier and more costly to build and to ship.

Take care

 

[mtrycrafts]

mtry, it would certainly be no problem to design a full length turbo that rests on top of the sub and has the same depth as the base enclosure. In fact, we have discussed this internally in the past! However, this would result in an even lower port tuning than the 16Hz used in extended bass mode. Also, the box needed for this turbo would be more than twice as large as the current turbocharger, so heavier and more costly to build and to ship.

Take care

Thanks for the response. I guess for a good woodworker this conversion at home would be a cinch And, if one so chooses, use different wood and finish, a real conversation piece

 

[Peter Marcks]

Absolutely mtrycrafts! Most certainly, one can try building their own version. DIY is often a very rewarding experience.

Have a great weekend!

 

[Tracer]

I just received a new VTF 3-MK3 yesterday. So far, I am very happy and my wife is very unhappy, so we know it's working well. I tried it with a Star Wars movie last night with spectacular results and tried it with music today. I haven't done any fine tuning, but it seems that I prefer different volume levels for movies vs. music. To blend the sub in better with my Paradigm 60s for music I found it better to turn the volume down on the sub compared to where it was for movies. Was wondering if other people change their volume between music and movies, or is this a sign that I need some more fine tuning?

 

[GlocksRock]

Mine needed tuning, but instead of turning the gain up and down on the sub, I leave it set at the level I like it for with music, then using my receiver, I turn down the lfe output, which only works on DD and DTS tracks, so I don't have to turn the gain down for movies.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I just received a new VTF 3-MK3 yesterday. So far, I am very happy and my wife is very unhappy, so we know it's working well. I tried it with a Star Wars movie last night with spectacular results and tried it with music today. I haven't done any fine tuning, but it seems that I prefer different volume levels for movies vs. music. To blend the sub in better with my Paradigm 60s for music I found it better to turn the volume down on the sub compared to where it was for movies. Was wondering if other people change their volume between music and movies, or is this a sign that I need some more fine tuning?

I have my system all set to 75db at the lsitening area. I turn the sub up by +3 db using the level control of my AVR via remote during movies. For some reason I have to turn the sub lower when I use the IPOD with the enhanced mode.