I have an Onkyo 894 HTIB. When I bought it I knew the subwoofer was going to be an issue and the first upgrade. I am now looking at an upgrade and am deciding between the Hsu VTF2.3 and and the SVS PB10 NSD. I have a 15x20 room with a cathedral ceiling and open at one short end.

I am looking for much better music response and don't live or die on deep deep movie bass. I have decided to skip the BIC H-100 to avoid another upgrade in a short period of time.

I have read a lot on the threads already but want to get any last thoughts. Thanks.

Choose either one. They are both more than capable of meeting your needs as you have specified them.

How well you tune your room, and calibrate frequency response and level, will have a far great impact than any differences in performance capability between these 2 subs.


Tim

My choice would be the HSU, hands down. Nothing can beat the new line of HSU sub today (price/performance).

You will get a very accurate and very movie friendly sub. :)

Thanks Tim.

I have a BFD set to arrive today to help with the room issues. I am new to subs and now believe that given typical room/spouse constraints any sub will have to be equalized.

Choose either one. They are both more than capable of meeting your needs as you have specified them.

jmps - just remember that they DO NOT sound the same no matter what people say. You will definately find sonic differences between these two subs.

My choice would be the HSU, hands down. Nothing can beat the new line of HSU sub today (price/performance).

You will get a very accurate and very movie friendly sub. :)

How come I knew what your post would say before I even opened the thread.

And you put down Bgillycu...what a joke.

How come I knew what your post would say before I even opened the thread.

And you put down Bgillycu...what a joke.

Thanks for defending me.....if that guys isn't the Pot calling the Kettle Black I don't know what is!

Based on what the poster said I'd actually say go for the HSU 2.3, in this case it is probably the better choice based on user comments and opinions...

FWIW, I would try to stretch and up the budget another $60 to get either the VTF-3.2,

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3.html

Or the 25-31Pci if your open to cylinders. I have mine tuned to 22 Hz (SVS will do it for free)

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow3.cfm

I used to have the PB10, and I feel the 22-31 is much better for my music: R&B, Jazz, and Pop.

As for the VTF2.3 vs. VTF3.2, I feel it is worth it for the extra headroom. I always feel it is better to have it than not, especially for $60. That's just taking your lunch to work rather than eating out for 2 weeks. :-)

But if $550 is the absolute max, then YES, I would be happy with either one. But after already upgrading my sub once, I feel the extra $60 spent now is a good investment down the line for when you upgrade your speakers, as you won't feel that your sub is lacking in any way compared to said speakers, whatever they may be.

That's just my 2 cents.

FWIW, I would try to stretch and up the budget another $60 to get either the VTF-3.2,

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3.html

Or the 25-31Pci if your open to cylinders. I have mine tuned to 22 Hz (SVS will do it for free)

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow3.cfm

I used to have the PB10, and I feel the 22-31 is much better for my music: R&B, Jazz, and Pop.

As for the VTF2.3 vs. VTF3.2, I feel it is worth it for the extra headroom. I always feel it is better to have it than not, especially for $60. That's just taking your lunch to work rather than eating out for 2 weeks. :-)

But if $550 is the absolute max, then YES, I would be happy with either one. But after already upgrading my sub once, I feel the extra $60 spent now is a good investment down the line for when you upgrade your speakers, as you won't feel that your sub is lacking in any way compared to said speakers, whatever they may be.

That's just my 2 cents.

100% agree that if you can step up to the HSU 3.2 or the SVS 25-31 (tuned to 22 or even at 25hz) that you would be much better off and it really is an investment for the future....so looking at it like that, the IMPROVEMENT far outways the extra $60 in my mind...

I like the lunch reference "That's just taking your lunch to work rather than eating out for 2 weeks. :-)" That is EXACTLY how I think.....only it is 1 less Guinness at the bar each week for 2-3 weeks :D

It does look like the $60 does make a difference and I will go that level of sub. I am leaning toward the HSU 3.2. The box packaging is better for our room situation. Thanks everyone.

How come I knew what your post would say before I even opened the thread.

And you put down Bgillycu...what a joke.


I guess because the truth is the thruth? :D:D:D:D

And BTW, how did I put him down? What did I say that defended you?

PS: I am not sure if you know this but back in the day even one of the founders of svs used to praise Dr Hsu and his subs to anyone who would listen. It is on www if you want to see for yourself.

So yes, I love the sound HSU subs.

The op asked for opinions between 2 subs. I gave mine.

Why do you have an issue with that? Either help him, or go watch a movie.

by now we pretty much know what everyone is going to say. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I know who Dr. Hsu is and and respect him thorougly, but you hang on his nuts like he has gold on them.

You can ask the OP if I helped him or not...seems he is taking my advice very seriously. Probably because I responded with more than just "Get the HSU!, it's the best in the world", like you usually do.

O, these guys don't have a clue. Here's your subwoofer :eek: :D LOL

http://www.**********/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=6.1

I'm in the same situation trying to decide which sub for myself. I've read some where here that the STF3 is a better choice compare to the VTF2 MK3 for music. Hum, decision decision???

I know who Dr. Hsu is and and respect him thorougly, but you hang on his nuts like he has gold on them.

You can ask the OP if I helped him or not...seems he is taking my advice very seriously. Probably because I responded with more than just "Get the HSU!, it's the best in the world", like you usually do.

you must have an ego the size of the moon. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

For the op to take your advice you will get your medal. :bow :bow :bow

I am looking for much better music response and don't live or die on deep deep movie bass

Get the Hsu. Fair and simple.

I also don't live here. I have a life.

And if you think that I am a fanboy, what are some of the svs boys? The good thing is that we seems to see much less of that lately. :cool:

"Get the HSU!, it's the best in the world", like you usually do

Your typical svs mentality: exaggeration - never have I said that.

What does really bother you about me suggesting a HSU? You are obviously making things up about me.

Interesting that you treat bgillyjcu differently.

On a final note: You are talking about subwoofers man. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Lighten up, life is way too short.

Who buys what is no more important than what I think of you or what you think of me. No one cares!!!

I'm in the same situation trying to decide which sub for myself. I've read some where here that the STF3 is a better choice compare to the VTF2 MK3 for music. Hum, decision decision???


I do have an stf3. I seriously doubt that a newer design would be less musical. Also, to get down to 18Hz the stf3 would cost an extra $50 more. The stf3 is tuned to 25Hz. My stf3 is in max extention mode. (18Hz.)

Get the VTF2 mk3.

Thanks. I wish I can listen to both of the STF3 and VTF2.3 in the same room without going to order them both and return one at the end. How do you like the stf3 as far as for music? I only want the sub for 2 channel music in my main living room area that opens to the kitchen and nook area. I have the Hsu TN1220/500W sub in my dedicated theater and this thing can rumble.

I used to have 2 1225s!

I am a music guy first.

I have 2 sealed Hsu car subs in my car that is setup for sq.

The stf3 is like the tn and the asw1203 - very accurate, so the answer is yes. I love the stf3.

I would ike to see who said that the stf3 was more musical. Do you have a link?

You should try to post on hsu.com to see if there is anyone in your town that has an stf3 so maybe you can listen and judge for yourself.

I did order the VTF 2 MK3 today. The VTF 3 MK 2 is no longer available in maple so I had to go with the 250watt version. Oh well. It is backordered until the end of March. These must be really popular. I am really looking forward to getting it. Thanks everyone.

I did order the VTF 2 MK3 today. The VTF 3 MK 2 is no longer available in maple so I had to go with the 250watt version. Oh well. It is backordered until the end of March. These must be really popular. I am really looking forward to getting it. Thanks everyone.


money very well spent.

Guaranteed that you will be very excited a few minutes after the sub is integrated into your system.

Okay, no matter what sub you get, make sure it is level matched with the rest of your system. Get an SPL meter from wherever and calibrate it with pink noise to the same db as your mains running pink noise.

Believe me, calibrating a whole system, even if it is just with such a simple tool like an SPL meter will make a REMARKABLE difference, especially with music.

I will never go back to a system that was not calibrated. :)

I used to have 2 1225s!

I am a music guy first.

I have 2 sealed Hsu car subs in my car that is setup for sq.

The stf3 is like the tn and the asw1203 - very accurate, so the answer is yes. I love the stf3.

I would ike to see who said that the stf3 was more musical. Do you have a link?

You should try to post on hsu.com to see if there is anyone in your town that has an stf3 so maybe you can listen and judge for yourself.

I just ordered the VTF2MK3 after talking to Dr.Hsu. He said the VTF2MK3 is even more musical than the stf3. Thanks all.

Okay, no matter what sub you get, make sure it is level matched with the rest of your system. Get an SPL meter from wherever and calibrate it with pink noise to the same db as your mains running pink noise.

Believe me, calibrating a whole system, even if it is just with such a simple tool like an SPL meter will make a REMARKABLE difference, especially with music.

I will never go back to a system that was not calibrated. :)

I have a SPL meter and Room EQ Wizard with a Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro for sub equalization. I am ready and waiting for the new sub. :-)

I wonder how much longer they are going to offer the 3.2, 2.2, STF-3, stf-2, and stf-1?

I wonder how much longer they are going to offer the 3.2, 2.2, STF-3, stf-2, and stf-1?

Probably until they run out of stock.

I thought they would have been out already.

If I were in the market, I would jump on those prices while they last.