Hsu VTF15h gets a major upgrade, the mk2

[shadyJ]

Hsu introduced the new VTF15h mk2 at the New York Audio Show today. The driver has been improved to have double the magnet, multiple shorting rings, and a cast frame driver, which has greater xmax and lower THD. The amplifier hes been boosted from a 350 to a 600 watt amp, and now has XLR inputs. The released CEA numbers show a considerable increase, looks to me averaging around a 3 dB increase overall- a 50% performance increase. Some brief numbers to illustrate the difference:
max extension mode:
Low bass: 126.2 - 122.6: +3.6 dB
Ultra low bass: 119.7 vs 115: +4.7 dB


max output mode:
Low bass: 128.2 vs 124.2: +3.6 dB
Ultra low bass: 120.2 vs 118.2: +2 dB

Very nice! A great sub just got a lot better. The full CEA set can be seen on their respective product pages. But the most amazing thing of all, despite the across-the-board improvements made, the VTF15h mk2 actually costs less than the mk1 when you factor in shipping. It took a price cut, from $1022 shipped to $1008 shipped. The only problem is there is a wait: the VTF15h mk2 isn't expected to be ready to ship until later this year.

 

[Steve81]

Looks like the VTF3 got a big upgrade as well...also now bumped to a 15" driver and 600w amp.
VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer

 

[its phillip]

Nice. I'd love to see both of them tested here or on data-bass

 

[shadyJ]

Notice the performance delta between the VTF3 mk4 and mk5:

Extension mode, mk4 vs mk5, difference
20 - 31.5: 111.6 118.7, +7.1 dB
40 - 63: 119.8 126.1, +6.3

output mode

20 - 31.5: 115.1 119.3, +4.2
40 - 63: 121.2 127.8, +6.6

Overall that is a roughly 6 db output increase, so it doubles the performance of the previous VTF3s. It does take a price increase, but a very modest one- $908 shipped. So for an 12% uptick in price you get a 100% boost in performance! That is a hell of an upgrade. Like the VTF15h mk2, it won't be out until later this year.

 

[Steve81]

Notice the performance delta between the VTF3 mk4 and mk5

Comparing the VTF3.5 and the VTF15.2 is interesting as well. With both ports open, they're practically dead even. Dropping down to one port mode, the VTF15.2 has a marginal advantage at 16Hz (3.3dB). At 20Hz, the difference is less than 2dB, with the remainder of the data falling in under a dB of difference. Seems odd to me that Hsu would release two subs with such similar performance and not much else to differentiate them (i.e. a cylinder form factor ala SVS). Personally, I'd probably just save the cash plus some floor space and go for the VTF 3.5 given the choice.

 

[shadyJ]

I noticed they are very close as well. I think the performance differences may have more of a contrast in non CEA performance metrics. For example, the VTF15h is less likely to run into chuffing with its larger ports. Also the larger enclosure may make more of a difference in compression and distortion measurements. Its almost as if the VTF15h mk2 is just a deluxe version of the VTF3 mk5 HP. But a 3.3 dB difference is not insignificant in such a low frequency, physically speaking that is a lot more amplitude. Anyway I am not complaining, the more killer subs to choose from, the better.

 

[Steve81]

For example, the VTF15h is less likely to run into chuffing with its larger ports.

Do you know how big those ports are, equivalent to the usual round port? I did a quick search and came up with nada, though at a glance they don't look like they'd offer a huge amount of additional area over the 4" + 3" of the VTF3.5HP, maybe the equivalent of a pair of 4" ports by eyeballing it.

But a 3.3 dB difference is not insignificant in such a low frequency, physically speaking that is a lot more amplitude.

A gain of 3.3dB is nothing to sneeze at. However, the advantage appears to be over such a narrow band that you'd probably have a hard time telling much difference with real world material.

Its almost as if the VTF15h mk2 is just a deluxe version of the VTF3 mk5 HP.

I was thinking that the 3.5HP was more the junior version of the big daddy VTF15.2

 

[shadyJ]

Do you know how big those ports are, equivalent to the usual round port? I did a quick search and came up with nada, though at a glance they don't look like they'd offer a huge amount of additional area over the 4" + 3" of the VTF3.5HP, maybe the equivalent of a pair of 4" ports by eyeballing it.

Hsu stated the equivalent round port size somewhere, but I can't remember what it was or where they said that, sorry. I think it was larger than 4" ports which is what the VTF3 mk4 had.

 

[Steve81]

Looks like the triangles are 6" x 6", so a total area of 18 square inches per port, which is a bit under the area of a 5" round port. However, that doesn't account for the flaring.

 

[shadyJ]

ok, 4.5" ports on the VTf15h

 

[shadyJ]

Here is a thread that covers the NY Audio Show where these new subs were introduced. It turns into a big argument, it seems to me, because some guys seemingly can not accept that spending a fortune on audio equipment does not automatically translate into amazing sound nor can spending thriftily ever produce a good sound either. Anyway, a lot of praise for the Hsu stuff in there.