I'm looking into the VTF-2 mk 3, solely because it goes down to 18 hz. Though reading reviews on it, people seem to keep it at 25 hz. Whats the difference? I want to hear (and feel) everything I was intended to in my movies (the lowest of LFE's).

My room is 12x15x8 feet. Im afraid of buying the VTF-2 MK 3 to find it sounds better in 25 hz config. And if thats the case I could have saved and bought the STF-2 since my room is so small.

What would you do? Thank you so much for your time.

The difference isn't in sound quality it's in extension versus SPL. In 25Hz tune it will play about 3 or 4 dB louder than in 18Hz tune while the 18Hz tune while loosing 3 or 4dB will play down to about 16hz. It 'sreally a trade off, which one matters most to you extention or SPL. It's really the best of both worlds. On movies that dig deep and you want to really feel it put it in 18Hz mode, but if the movie doesn't dig as deep and you want it louder put it in 25Hz mode.

Before getting the HO w/turbo I had dual VTF-3 MK2 subs(same as the 2.3, but with the 350w amp) and left them in 18Hz mode all the time. For me th extension out weighs the SPL.

The difference isn't in sound quality it's in extension versus SPL. In 25Hz tune it will play about 3 or 4 dB louder than in 18Hz tune while the 18Hz tune while loosing 3 or 4dB will play down to about 16hz. It 'sreally a trade off, which one matters most to you extention or SPL. It's really the best of both worlds. On movies that dig deep and you want to really feel it put it in 18Hz mode, but if the movie doesn't dig as deep and you want it louder put it in 25Hz mode.

Before getting the HO w/turbo I had dual VTF-3 MK2 subs(same as the 2.3, but with the 350w amp) and left them in 18Hz mode all the time. For me th extension out weighs the SPL.as you alluded to yourself...how many owners will actually use anything other than the lowest tune for DVD playback ?...and how many will actually have access to waterfall charts, let alone the ability to discern the information that is presented?...that is the real question...the drawbacks to these variable tune subs is that you must choose either extension or spl/headroom...you can't have both at the same time...this of course is a compromised solution... :(

Thank you so much for your responses, Legairre and kramskoi. I think I'll get the VTF-2 MK 3 and leave it at maximum extension. Wouldn't it still have that punch, my room is only 12x15x8? Thank you again, your time is most appreciated.

kramskoi,
I don't see it as a compromise when using the HO w/turbo. Thanks to the turbo the HO plays as loud in 16Hz mode as 22Hz mode because just like 22Hz mode both ports are open. The turbo eliminates the compromise by allowing both ports to be open just like 22Hz mode but also allows sub to be placed in the 16Hz mode. So no more compromise you get the 22Hz mode SPL with the extension of the 16Hz mode.

Thank you so much for your responses, Legairre and kramskoi. I think I'll get the VTF-2 MK 3 and leave it at maximum extension. Wouldn't it still have that punch, my room is only 12x15x8? Thank you again, your time is most appreciated.
Should not be a problem at all, but as with all subwoofers, placement plays an important roll.

kramskoi,
I don't see it as a compromise when using the HO w/turbo. Thanks to the turbo the HO plays as loud in 16Hz mode as 22Hz mode because just like 22Hz mode both ports are open. The turbo eliminates the compromise by allowing both ports to be open just like 22Hz mode but also allows sub to be placed in the 16Hz mode. So no more compromise you get the 22Hz mode SPL with the extension of the 16Hz mode.
Agreed, it is about giving the user a choice of configurations to suit their needs. What is often overlooked in SPL vs extension, is Hsu's excellent sound quality. This combination of SPL, extension, sound quality, and price, I think sets Hsu apart.

Or do what I did and run the HSU in max extension mode and add a 2nd subwoofer which isnt tuned as low.

Agreed, it is about giving the user a choice of configurations to suit their needs. What is often overlooked in SPL vs extension, is Hsu's excellent sound quality. This combination of SPL, extension, sound quality, and price, I think sets Hsu apart.Absolutely, even without a turbo the Hsu subs offer a choice in variable tuning that non variable tuned subs don't offer. Buy a non variable tuned sub and your stuck with either SPL or extension. With the Hsu subs you have two subs in one and sound quality that is unmathched by the competition.

kramskoi,
I don't see it as a compromise when using the HO w/turbo. Thanks to the turbo the HO plays as loud in 16Hz mode as 22Hz mode because just like 22Hz mode both ports are open. The turbo eliminates the compromise by allowing both ports to be open just like 22Hz mode but also allows sub to be placed in the 16Hz mode. So no more compromise you get the 22Hz mode SPL with the extension of the 16Hz mode.

This is not the way I understand the turbo to work. I was under the impression that the turbo only benefited the bass at the very low end and did not have any effect on the upper bass. Could someone else give input on this?

Hi VOLKeith ,
The turbo does only benefit the bass on the low end but normally you have to plug a port in 16Hz mode and that limits SPL while adding extension on the low end. By using the turbo you're running with both ports open just like 22Hz mode so your not limiting your SPL by port plugging. I think you mis-understood my comments on SPL to mean upper bass.

Sorry Legairre, I did misunderstand your post.

Hey, how does your HO compare to the dual 3.2s you had. Do you really think it moves as much air as 4 of those suckers?

Hey no problem. I've been pretty fortunate I had the dual 3.2's and a single 3.2 w/turbo and now the HO w/turbo. The HO is a beast and even without the turbo outperforms the dual 3.2 down deep and if I play scenes like when the machine city speaks in Matrix Revolutions I can really tell the HO is preasurizing the room more than the dual 3.2s. The dual 3.2s are a serious combo and any sane person would never upgrade, but I have to admit the HO even without the turbo outperforms them and moves more air than dual 3.2s.

If you put the dual 3.2 in 18Hz mode(1 port plugged) and the HO in 22Hz mode(all ports open) both subs will do 18Hz, but the HO will have two massive 4"ports open to hit 18Hz while each 3.2 will only have one 3"port open to hit 18Hz. Add the turbo and while each 3.2 has only one 3"port open to hit 18Hz the HO has two 4"ports going through the turbo and will be in 16Hz mode. The HO w/turbo really does move as much air as "FOUR" 3.2s in 18Hz 1 port plugged mode and you feel that air too. It's a seriously imppressive sub that moves a lot of air. I always felt that the 3.2s had a lot more in the tank with that 350w amp, but the 3" porting was holding them back. I think the 3" ports hit their limit long before the amp.

Hey no problem. I've been pretty fortunate I had the dual 3.2's and a single 3.2 w/turbo and now the HO w/turbo. The HO is a beast and even without the turbo outperforms the dual 3.2 down deep and if I play scenes like when the machine city speaks in Matrix Revolutions I can really tell the HO is preasurizing the room more than the dual 3.2s. The dual 3.2s are a serious combo and any sane person would never upgrade, but I have to admit the HO even without the turbo outperforms them and moves more air than dual 3.2s.

If you put the dual 3.2 in 18Hz mode(1 port plugged) and the HO in 22Hz mode(all ports open) both subs will do 18Hz, but the HO will have two massive 4"ports open to hit 18Hz while each 3.2 will only have one 3"port open to hit 18Hz. Add the turbo and while each 3.2 has only one 3"port open to hit 18Hz the HO has two 4"ports going through the turbo and will be in 16Hz mode. The HO w/turbo really does move as much air as "FOUR" 3.2s in 18Hz 1 port plugged mode and you feel that air too. It's a seriously imppressive sub that moves a lot of air. I always felt that the 3.2s had a lot more in the tank with that 350w amp, but the 3" porting was holding them back. I think the 3" ports hit their limit long before the amp.

I played that scene last night with my dual HO's and know EXACTLY what you are talking about :D

Kevin,
Congrats on the twins, I know you're a very proud papa and you've spent a lot of time making this decision. Man with dual HOs oyu must be bringing the walls down. Try the waterball explasion at the end of Revolutions. There's info down to 5Hz and it's pretty erie how you hear little sound, but the entire room pressurizes and the walls creak. The HO moves a lot of air and that's what it takes to pressurizes the room.

Thanks Legairre, proud poppa here indeed. I have so many movies to re-watch or at least certain points in them that I can't even imagine. Seeing as how the Matrix series is one of mine and my wife's favorite I am sure we will get to that scene at some point :D

Maybe I should try one of my VTF-3HOs in Max Extension and one in Max Output.

Best Regards