I'm going to give the these new subs a thread of their own, because they deserve to be known outside of official Hsu thread. At the New York Audio Show yesterday, Hsu unveiled two new subs, the VTF15h mk2 and VTF3 mk5 HP. Both are major upgrades from the previous subs.
The VTF15h mk2 uses a 600 watt amplifier and a higher performing driver which doubles the magnet and now uses a cast frame. Greater xmax capability increases deep bass output substantially, and multiple shorting rings reduce harmonic distortion from the mk1. The enclosure remains the same, with its distinctive flared triangular ports. Also new on the amplifier are XLR inputs, a nice touch. So how does this affect performance? Here are a few numbers to illustrate the difference, where mk2 - mk1:
max extension mode:
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 126.2 - 122.6: +3.6 dB
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 119.7 vs 115: +4.7 dB
max output mode:
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 128.2 vs 124.2: +3.6 dB
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 120.2 vs 118.2: +2 dB
Overall that is a bit over a 3 dB increase in output, so a greater than 50% performance increase, with the greatest gains being made in the deepest bass. That is great and all, but the really impressive thing is, when shipping is factored in, the VTF15h mk2 is actually slightly cheaper than the mk1, at $899 + 109 shipping for a total of $1008 shipped, as opposed to the $1022 shipped price for the mk1. Greatly improved performance, some new features, and a slightly lower price. Nice!
Also very impressive is the update of the VTF3, the mk5 HP. It also makes the jump to a 600 watt amp, and is now using a 15" driver which looks to be a very similar driver to the VTF15h mk2, if not the same. The mk5 is a pretty dramatic redesign of the VTF3. Instead of rear ports and a side firing driver, both ports and driver face forward. One thing to note is the two ports have different diameters. I am guessing this creates more opportunities for different tuning points? I'll have to ask Hsu about that. So how is performance affected? Let's look at a couple more numbers to compare:
Extension mode, mk5 vs mk4, difference
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 118.7 - 111.6: +7.1 dB
40 - 63 (low bass): 126.1 -119.8: +6.3
output mode
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 119.3 - 115.1: +4.2
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 127.8 - 121.2: +6.6
Overall that is roughly a 6 dB increase in output, which is a doubling of performance. As with the VTF15h mk2, the greatest gains are made in the deeper bass, which is usually the most challenging frequency spectrum for a subwoofer to produce cleanly, so that is a particularly impressive enhancement. There is a price increase on the VTF3, the mk5 HP goes for $799 + $109 shipping, totaling 908 shipped, but that is mild with respect to the performance gains. So for a modest 13% price increase you get a 100% performance increase. I can live with that! I'll miss the side-firing driver, but I will definitely trade it for such a tremendous performance increase.
The VTF15h mk2 uses a 600 watt amplifier and a higher performing driver which doubles the magnet and now uses a cast frame. Greater xmax capability increases deep bass output substantially, and multiple shorting rings reduce harmonic distortion from the mk1. The enclosure remains the same, with its distinctive flared triangular ports. Also new on the amplifier are XLR inputs, a nice touch. So how does this affect performance? Here are a few numbers to illustrate the difference, where mk2 - mk1:
max extension mode:
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 126.2 - 122.6: +3.6 dB
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 119.7 vs 115: +4.7 dB
max output mode:
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 128.2 vs 124.2: +3.6 dB
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 120.2 vs 118.2: +2 dB
Overall that is a bit over a 3 dB increase in output, so a greater than 50% performance increase, with the greatest gains being made in the deepest bass. That is great and all, but the really impressive thing is, when shipping is factored in, the VTF15h mk2 is actually slightly cheaper than the mk1, at $899 + 109 shipping for a total of $1008 shipped, as opposed to the $1022 shipped price for the mk1. Greatly improved performance, some new features, and a slightly lower price. Nice!
Also very impressive is the update of the VTF3, the mk5 HP. It also makes the jump to a 600 watt amp, and is now using a 15" driver which looks to be a very similar driver to the VTF15h mk2, if not the same. The mk5 is a pretty dramatic redesign of the VTF3. Instead of rear ports and a side firing driver, both ports and driver face forward. One thing to note is the two ports have different diameters. I am guessing this creates more opportunities for different tuning points? I'll have to ask Hsu about that. So how is performance affected? Let's look at a couple more numbers to compare:
Extension mode, mk5 vs mk4, difference
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 118.7 - 111.6: +7.1 dB
40 - 63 (low bass): 126.1 -119.8: +6.3
output mode
20 to 31.5 Hz (Ultra low bass): 119.3 - 115.1: +4.2
40 to 63 Hz (low bass): 127.8 - 121.2: +6.6
Overall that is roughly a 6 dB increase in output, which is a doubling of performance. As with the VTF15h mk2, the greatest gains are made in the deeper bass, which is usually the most challenging frequency spectrum for a subwoofer to produce cleanly, so that is a particularly impressive enhancement. There is a price increase on the VTF3, the mk5 HP goes for $799 + $109 shipping, totaling 908 shipped, but that is mild with respect to the performance gains. So for a modest 13% price increase you get a 100% performance increase. I can live with that! I'll miss the side-firing driver, but I will definitely trade it for such a tremendous performance increase.