Which one would you pick?

I am not thread stealing at all, but I am in the exact situation as you! Money is ready for either of these subs and I have no idea which one to choose.

I keep hearing that they produce two different kind of sounds. Some poeple will like one more than the other. Everything else is very similar between the two other than the vtf 15h is 200 cheaper which i like.

Heck our rooms are very close as well so I am glad you posted this question. I am mostly going for movies as well, and I want a sub to have a nice tactile feel.

Not sure if this will help, since both of your choices were the most highly rated, but check this out....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176

Victor

Maybe this will help you decide: SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450.

Meanwhile, if you have no experience with the Internet direct subs recommended here on AVS, know that you will be excited about either one. The differences that people describe are more nuanced than you think, something that a serious enthusiast will argue about, while many people would be equally happy with either sub. Either would be equally impressive.

UPDATE: LOL. Victor beat me to it

"The HSU only goes to 16hz" - Oh my!

The only people that can probably accurately describe why one is better (or different) than the other are those who have heard them in the same room. Room acoustics affect sub performance dramatically, so unless heard side by side, it would be difficult for anyone to evaluate them in comparison to each other. Might not find too many people that have heard them in the same place.

And as Archaea has pointed out (and see Mupi's following post in that thread)--and he has participated in and even hosted subwoofer shootouts--the difference between 12hz and 16hz may not be significant.

It's not that significant IMO. Mostly bragging rights.

I don't know the answer to your question. But if you are definitely decided on one of these two subs and impatient , might be time to call HSU and Rythmik and ask questions, and/or consult the owners threads:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1288202
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1214550

It seems that these questions on the same subs come up quite often. Using the search tab by just putting the names in came up with several similar topics.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/gtsea...26f%3D113&ref=

There is not one sub to rule them all. They are both great subs at their price and looking at ID subs of this caliber you have already won. Only someone who has compared them both in the same room at the same time could give you there thoughts. Otherwise it is just a vote for which ever sub they have. (I have dual 15H) Only Rythmik I have listened to was a F12. It was a very clean sub. A single 15" will not give usable output at 12hz in 3000cubes. Its basic physics, you have to displace a lot of air. The HSU has a pulp cone. A cone just needs to be rigid. Aluminum cones are more expensive and look cool. Whatever material was used was factored into the design. I used the search function and found these threads on the subject.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1300217

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1385091

Both seem to be great subwoofers. Good luck in your decision.

I have the lower end hsu vtf2.3 for the last seven yrs and it still going loud and deep in my ~ 2600 cubic foot room. From reading here, either one will be excellent. Sometime, I just want my vtf to fail so that I can get the 15H. I would save $$$ and go H15 route as no doubt that it is an awesome but it also looks beautiful and unique.

Why not save yourself some money and get a SVS PB12-NSD?

SVS PB12-NSD is not in the same league, imo.

If I were going with the Rythmik it would be their FV15HP.

It doesn't matter. The material used is more of a gimmick. The overall sound is what counts. People like to point out that this material is stiffer, or it prevents breakup etc. The differences are so miniscule that you can't hear it.

My VTF-15H came with a demo disc that has a downward linear sweep that goes from 200 down to 10Hz. After playing the with the lower end for about 20 minutes I felt physically ill. It was really weird, but I had to stop. Anyway, back on track, I was in the same boat but wth the 15HP, and a few others. Here is what made me decide on the VTF-15H.

One of the shootouts mentioned that the HSU had a more physical, tactile feel than some of the others that had a higher DB output.

Multiple tunings, I feel like I got 5 subwoofers for the price of one. Actually more if you consider the Q settings.

Tons of great reviews.

Great customer service.

Long standing good reputation.

Price was not a big factor, I had the budget to spend more, but in the end it felt good to spend a little less.

Regrets: Only one. My wife said get the black one, it's just a speaker. We both agree I should have chosen the rosenut. It's just such a big presence in the living room.

In the end I think you would be happy with either one. I am very happy with my purchase.

[Happy sub hunting.

With all thats been said I am very happy with my VTF-15H and would make the purchase all over again it has exceeded my expectations the only other piece of gear I can say that about is my OPPO BDP-83.

....Agreed! It's in it's own league cause it's so damn nice!