Need advice/suggestions for a sub

[Wheels_32]

Hi all,

I am new to this site and am looking forward to learning a lot from it!

I currently do not have a sub, nor have I ever had one, but would like to add one now and need some advice. Currently my system consists of Yamaha RX-V2600 receiver, Klipsch KLF-20 fronts (which I really like), Klipsch KV-3 center, no rears yet, but soon to have Klipsch in the ceiling for rears. I have a 55" Samsung LED TV. I want to add a sub, but want clean, quality sound. I am not as much interested in rattling windows all the time, but would like the ability to do it from time to time. My use is probably 60/40 to 70/30 music to HT. My room is approx. 20 x 20 x 10, and it really spills into our dining room, etc...it is a very open floorplan.

I have been doing a little research and am right now looking at SVS PB-1000 and PB12-NSD as well as HSU VTF2 MK4 or possibly VTF3 MK 4 (although I'd rather not spend that much), and also the Outlaw LFM-1 EX or LFM-1 Plus. All of these options seem to be in the $500 - $700 range or so. I would appreciate your comments on these considering my system and desires noted above.

One last option - an acquaintance of mine is selling a HSU VFT2 MK3 for $350, and I wouldn't have to pay shipping. Has much changed since this sub was out? I believe it's ~7 years old, in very good condition. Is this a good enough deal to go used? I'm intrigued by the HSU design where you can plug one or both of the ports to get different response (I believe plug both for better musical response and open one or both for better HT response?). It's not clear to me if the MK3 design also has this feature, or is this a new feature of the MK4 design?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[shadyJ]

$350 for an older VTF2 isn't a terrible price. Has the amp been replaced in that time? If I were you, I would go for the used VTF2. The MK3 does have the variable tuning feature (it's in the name), by the way, it just lacks the Q control.

 

[Wheels_32]

$350 for an older VTF2 isn't a terrible price. Has the amp been replaced in that time? If I were you, I would go for the used VTF2. The MK3 does have the variable tuning feature (it's in the name), by the way, it just lacks the Q control.

Thank you for your comments. I don't believe the amp has been replaced. He said it has worked great, no issues at all. What value is the Q control feature? I don't understand how that works at all. I've heard that sealed subs are often considered better for music...if I plug both ports of the VTF, does that make it nearly as good as an actual sealed sub for music performance?

 

[shadyJ]

The Q control is kind of a electrical damping control. In practice it serves to reduce low frequency output. You can see its effect in this chart, the different measurements are with different Q levels:

Some people feel that less low frequency output gives you a tighter sound, so the Q control can do that. It can also help if room gain is bumping up the low bass too much. If you ask me, it isn't a critical feature, I wouldn't worry about it.

As for port plugging, in some ways plugging all the ports will make the VTF2 act like a sealed sub, but in other ways it still doesn't. The VTF2 will still not have the extension that a typical sealed sub will give you, it will still limit the output below the ported tuning frequencies. However, plugging the ports will reduce group delay and overhang and other port-based acoustic contributions, but maybe not even to a humanly discernable amount. It might sound tighter, but I don't think you would really notice the difference. I would keep the ports open.

 

[Bear123]

Hi all,

I am new to this site and am looking forward to learning a lot from it!

I currently do not have a sub, nor have I ever had one, but would like to add one now and need some advice. Currently my system consists of Yamaha RX-V2600 receiver, Klipsch KLF-20 fronts (which I really like), Klipsch KV-3 center, no rears yet, but soon to have Klipsch in the ceiling for rears. I have a 55" Samsung LED TV. I want to add a sub, but want clean, quality sound. I am not as much interested in rattling windows all the time, but would like the ability to do it from time to time. My use is probably 60/40 to 70/30 music to HT. My room is approx. 20 x 20 x 10, and it really spills into our dining room, etc...it is a very open floorplan.

I have been doing a little research and am right now looking at SVS PB-1000 and PB12-NSD as well as HSU VTF2 MK4 or possibly VTF3 MK 4 (although I'd rather not spend that much), and also the Outlaw LFM-1 EX or LFM-1 Plus. All of these options seem to be in the $500 - $700 range or so. I would appreciate your comments on these considering my system and desires noted above.

One last option - an acquaintance of mine is selling a HSU VFT2 MK3 for $350, and I wouldn't have to pay shipping. Has much changed since this sub was out? I believe it's ~7 years old, in very good condition. Is this a good enough deal to go used? I'm intrigued by the HSU design where you can plug one or both of the ports to get different response (I believe plug both for better musical response and open one or both for better HT response?). It's not clear to me if the MK3 design also has this feature, or is this a new feature of the MK4 design?

Thank you all in advance!

If you end up going new i would reccomend the pbs12-nsd based on your criteria. It gives up some max spl to the hsu and outlaw but does so puposefully in order to have by far the flattest and cleanest output of any sub in its price range. These three have substantially higher output than the pb100 for slightly more money

 

[Pyrrho]

I would go with the best SVS I could afford. They have a good warranty, tend to have a flatter response than most of the competition, and are a brand where you really can't go wrong no matter what model you select. You can read reviews of various models of subwoofers at:

All Articles -Subwoofer Reviews | Audioholics

For more models of SVS, you can visit their web site and look for reviews there to which they will provide some links.

 

[Wheels_32]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. Right now I think I'm looking at either the used HSU VTF2 MK3 ($350) or a new SVS PB12-NSD ($700) or SB12-NSD ($650). Obviously it would be nice to save ~$300...but I'm feeling like the $350 price is too high. Right now you can get the new VTF2 MK4 for $520. The used sub is ~8 years old...no warranty...no Q-control (I do want clean music performance, so this Q-control might be valuable to me). It doesn't feel like $170 is enough of a savings. If I could get that used sub for $250, I think that's the winner...if I can get it for $300....then????? What do you all think? Am I on the right track? Basically - the question becomes, how much of a premium should I pay to get a new SVS over the used HSU?

Thanks!

 

[Pyrrho]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. Right now I think I'm looking at either the used HSU VTF2 MK3 ($350) or a new SVS PB12-NSD ($700) or SB12-NSD ($650). Obviously it would be nice to save ~$300...but I'm feeling like the $350 price is too high. Right now you can get the new VTF2 MK4 for $520. The used sub is ~8 years old...no warranty...no Q-control (I do want clean music performance, so this Q-control might be valuable to me). It doesn't feel like $170 is enough of a savings. If I could get that used sub for $250, I think that's the winner...if I can get it for $300....then????? What do you all think? Am I on the right track? Basically - the question becomes, how much of a premium should I pay to get a new SVS over the used HSU?

Thanks!

I agree with you that an old, used subwoofer with no warranty should be a significant savings over a new one (particularly in a case like this, where the new one is slightly better than the old one was when it was new). I have seen crazy prices for some used gear, particularly the bottom of the line SVS subwoofer and Magnepan MMG speakers (though they are not the only such examples). In both of those cases, I have never seen a good deal on a used one, and I would just buy a new one instead. That way, it will be in perfect condition, and one will have a warranty.

From looking at the Hsu site, the VTF-2 MK4 is $519 + $67 shipping and handling, so it is $586, not merely $520. I think $300 or less for the MK3 used (in excellent condition) would be a good deal, but not more.

If they won't come down to $300 (I am presuming that this is a local purchase, so there won't be shipping charges), I would go with an SVS instead.

 

[rnatalli]

I agree with what others have said regarding SVS which is why I like them myself, but that's a fair size room so would take a hard look at the VTF-3 MK4. Can't go wrong with any of these options though.

 

[3db]

I would also look at Rythmik's LV12-R for $589 which will easily run with the SVS mentioned in extension and articulation of bass.