CHT SS 18.1 vs HSU VTF 15h  

I haven't heard either, but just to let you know, you can face the CHT sub forward firing if you would like. It does not need to be down firing.

Also you may want to peruse this thread, as it can be very informative as it deals with both subs. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176

I can't think of two more different subs to compare, actually.

In before the thread lock

I have CHT subs and they are phenomenal, especially for the money.

However there is a contingent on here who absolutely hate Craig (Chase, of CHT) and they will do everything in their power to steer you away from them.

Having said that, both CHT and HSU are absolutely excellent products and you can't really go wrong with either. The 15 inch HSU is ported so it will give the 18 inch CHT a run for the money in the SPL department. The CHT has an edge in musicality in the one head to head comparo. The HSU is better looking, although the new CHT products are much improved aesthetically.

And yes, your neighbors will hate you.

Snap, speak of the Devil...see, he has some kind of magic intuition that goes off whenever the CHT name is raised...amazing, simply amazing!

What I find even more amazing was how I was actually able to get a post in before he did.

I find it amazing that the usual "fans" are johnny on the spot whenever one of these oddball comparison threads are started, almost like you knew it was coming..... I mean really, a VTF-15 or a CHT 18.1.... you guys kill me! Good luck OP, I would go with the Hsu (of course!)

I was typing away and I though...hmm, how long until my dear friend FPB jumps in here....ad don't ya know, he beat me to the punch!

I think he has some type of device that alerts him anytime the CHT name is raised.

I am kind of scared yet at the same time in awe.

How big is your apartment? I know the HSU will get you in trouble (I have two), and the CS probably would as well (never seen one in person). Sub design is more important for music sound quality than if it is ported or sealed. But generally speaking sealed are good for music as the enclosure helps keep the driver in check.

As a casual observer, and as someone who doesn't own any CHT products, there seems to be alot of happy CHT owners out there. It's safe to say that anytime someone asks about CHT products, you're sure to get a response from an owner, since there seems to be so many of them.

Also I don't understand how this could be considered an oddball comparison. They're both great subs in a somewhat similar price range.

Waitaminute....are you actually trying to convince me that you can actually stay out of this thread....come on, we both know better than that.

CHT is your crack, my friend.

Now back to the OP: The general consensus is that ported is better for SPL than for SQ....however, that is not necessarily set in stone.

A really well made sub can be ported and very musical. I have not heard the HSU but by all accounts, it is an excellent sub, and Dr HSu is very highly regarded.

Like I said, you can't go wrong with either.....well, except for the part about getting evicted from your apartment, a possibility w/ either sub.

Well, 1 nice thing about the CHT sub is, you could always get the SS-18.1 Subwoofer - the "MONO", and then if you feel the need for more bass, just get the SS-18.P Passive Cabinet w/driver for only about $600.00. That way you wouldn't need to spend another grand or so for another sub if you went the HSU route.

Thats over 14,000 cu. ft. combined area to fill? I was going to say that would be too much sub for an apartment, not anymore. Nearfield placement for now and a put it in smaller space when you move and can let it loose later. I would get or build an isolation pad.

Your question is not stupid, you have arrived at a choice between two great subs and want help making a decision. Either way you go is a win-win at this point.

Generally, a large open floor plan is best served by a ported sub. A sealed room is a great candidate for a sealed sub.


This is what is referred to as "The Fast Bass Myth". The theory goes that the larger, heavier driver is slower to start and stop, hence the bass isn't as "tight".

In reality, a larger driver doesn't have to move as far as a smaller one to move the same amount of air. The larger driver can start and stop quicker than the smaller one. Less cone movement usually translates into less distortion, giving cleaner output.

Another contributing factor to muddy, or slow bass is setup. Speaker placement, listening position, room modes and signal processing all have an effect on bass perception.

Perhaps the 15's needed a different set up than the 12's? I used to think 10's were as big as I would ever go. Then I heard what a good 12" could do. Then a 15", then an 18"...

This is a huge space to fill. You are going to need multiple subs.

If you only get one sub, you will need to keep it close to the LP.

I've seen you mention this a couple times. Do you have a link to this comparo? If you are talking about the brothers comparison, they thought the HSU and Rythmik had the best SQ overall, but the CHT was better than the ED.


This is a very similar thread as one that was locked not that long ago and many of the same points are still valid. Here is what I posted in that thread.

First you should make sure you have the space for either sub because they have slightly different dimensions. Second, the HSU comes in an optional rosewood veneer while the CHT only comes in a black finish. This may or may not be important to you. If you have a significant other, see if they have a preference between the looks of both. The CHT may also be easier to place because you only have to run speaker wire to the cabinet and can have the amp near the rest of your equipment. The HSU needs to be placed near a power outlet or you have to run an extension cord.

Regarding output, the CHT will have more overall output and has a bass boost and single PEQ to help integrate the sub in your room. The HSU has multiple tuning options that would allow it to have a deeper flat extension with no room gain, at the expense of total output. Which will play deeper in your room without any other EQ? Depends on your room gain and listening level.

-Mike

JL makes awesome car audio subs. For home, they are not such a great value. They are still good subs, but you can do better for less money. I shudder to think of what three JL home subs cost.

You can EQ your sub with many types of receivers, but not in a way to counter act what I was talking about. Audyssey will EQ to a flat response, but will not boost the sub below it's -3db point to make a flat response. You also cannot manually EQ. With Pioneer's MCACC, I believe you cannot EQ below 63hz or 40hz depending on the model. With Denon's manual EQ, you cannot EQ below 63hz. Yamaha's YPAO is limited to 32hz. I am not aware of any EQ system in a receiver that will allow you to significantly boost a sub's response below its rolloff point. To do that you would need an external EQ like a BFD, DCX, MiniDSP or Bassis.

-Mike

The best thing the JL sub has going for it is build quality. Of the subs mentioned, it has the best build quality.

It regards to "fast bass"...there are more than a few definitions of the term. When sitting down and talking to people that use the term, and listening to different subs, I find that more times than not they are interpreting group delay and decay times....articulation.

In regards to the CHT and Hsu being compared here, you won't get much more than subjective opinions because both subs don't have much by way of comparable objective data.