I don't know a lot about subs, so I need some help. I currently have the following system:

Integra 6.8 receiver
B&W M-1 front and surround speakers
Def Tech. Mythos Three center
and a crappy B&W sub

My space is very limited (i.e., a very small apt. in NYC). I am looking at these two subs - the HSU VTF-1 and the SVS PB10-NSD. I will be using it almost exclusively to watch movies (rather than listening to music). What do you all recommend?

Everyone else can fill in with more details, but basically the SVS will go deeper while the Hsu is usually thought of as more tight or musical. Since you mentioned space as an issue, the Hsu is considerably smaller than the SVS - something you might want to consider. Either should be great for home theater, with the advantage going to SVS for depth, but the Hsu is also excellent and the smaller size might be a deciding factor for you.

I've been looking and looking as well, I would suggest performing a search as you will find TONS of info out there. Also, search on my threads as alot of response has come from those as well.

I am in the same boat as you sir, space is the factor for me as well. I was looking at HSU, SVS, and HSU.

I have a buddy who owns an HSU STF-1 and it really hits on music and movies. I am no audiophile by any means...

My final decision will probably end up with an HSU because of the size.

What I like about the Hsu's is their shape. They are more tall and narrow than the SVS which are wide and deep. For an apartment that's critical. The SVS's just take up a lot of floorspace which basically ruled the larger ones out for me.

I think either sub will be an awesome addition to your HT. The PB10 does indeed go deeper, but the Hsu is no pushover either.

I appreciate all of the input. I'm currently leaning toward the HSU; however, I am wondering how it compares to the Def Tec Supercube III - another very small sub. Are there any other small alternatives that I should consider?

The Supercube is "ok" for it's tiny size, but the Hsu VTF1 will eat it for breakfast. If you are going to spend that much on a sub, get the SVS SB12Plus which is smaller than the Hsu but bigger than the Supercube III. The SB12Plus will also eat the Supercube for breakfast in both of output (depth of bass) and sound quality. It will probably edge out the VTF1 overall but at a smaller size, but you get optional/nicer finish choices, and it has that very nifty parametric EQ circuit which will allow you to tame room anamolies, and tailor the bass for a smooth tight response.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/svsound/3487-sb12-plus-subwoofer-mouse-roars.html

What about a tube (http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow3.cfm)?

Slip it behind a plant or sofa, and you'll never notice it... until you want to.

I thought about a tube, but I guess I'm just a traditionalist and like the box style, especially when it has a nice finish on it.

Would the SVS SB12-Plus really be worth the extra $300 over the HSU VTF-1?

Would the SVS SB12-Plus really be worth the extra $300 over the HSU VTF-1?

If you care about it being small, then the SB12 is a great sub for its price, size and features. If you don't care about size, then there are louder and deeper subwoofers, but few small subs can touch the SB12 for the same price.

How do you think the SB12 compares musically? Also for movies? - Warpdrive?

I appreciate all of the input. I'm currently leaning toward the HSU; however, I am wondering how it compares to the Def Tec Supercube III - another very small sub. Are there any other small alternatives that I should consider?
The SVS SB12+ is much better than the SCIII, although the SCIII puts out a lot for the size. The SVS just goes quite a bit lower and cleaner.

How do you think the SB12 compares musically? Also for movies? - Warpdrive?

For music, I have yet to hear any under $1000 sub sound better. And I've listened to quite a few. It's utterly tight sounding, no boom, no fluttering, no rattling. I've tried or heard PB10, 12NSD, VTF2, Mirage S12, Supercube II/III, Ultracube 10,12, DLS5000R, and I think the SB12Plus sounds as good or better than all of them for music. For movies, the SB12 has little to apologize for. It's not going to not provide as much kick down low (below 25Hz) and if you start pushing it hard with heavy subsonic material, it will start to struggle, but I would definitely take it over a VTF1 for movies. In a smaller room, the SB12 is extremely flat in its freqyency response. Thanks to room gain, I get decent output even at 20Hz. I would take a Supercube Reference over the SB12 in terms of movies but the smaller Supercubes (II/III) tend to sound a bit "loose" when you push them hard. I usually find that subs with passive radiators tend to sound boomy when they interact with the surrounding walls

I usually find that subs with passive radiators tend to sound boomy when they interact with the surrounding walls

That's interesting because the new version of the A-sub and the x-plosive both have passive radiators. What do you mean by interacting with the walls, and how is that prevented?

That's interesting because the new version of the A-sub and the x-plosive both have passive radiators. What do you mean by interacting with the walls, and how is that prevented?

Because passive radiators also move, they are affected more by boundaries around them. In my case when I tried a Ultracube 10, I found that the sound really suffered a lot when I placed the sub in the corner, it became very sloppy. It improved a lot when I moved the sub well away from the corner. My SB12 in the same corner sounds a LOT tighter. Having a passive radiator allows the designer to tune the sub for a lower frequency response without the size restrictions of an open port. That's why you see many passive radiator subs in the smaller size class.