Is a HSU VTF-15H too much for my smallish room?

It won't be too much, unless you only ever listen at low volumes. You will definitely be gaining lower frequency output, plus lots of headroom, and if you never really need to blast it, that will help its long term reliability. It also keep distortion much lower. I would have a ton of fun with a beast like that in a room that small. THX Reference levels, here we come!

She will hate you.

In a 1,400 cu.ft. room, you'd get plenty of performance (extension & output) from any one of these (including the VTF-15H):
- SVS PB12-NSD ($769, shipped)
- Outlaw LFM-1 Plus ($549 + shipping) or EX ($649 + shipping)
- HSU VTF-3 MK4 ($649 + shipping)
- PSA XV15 ($799, shipped)
- Epik Legend ($499 + shipping, or dual Legends for $899 + shipping) or Empire ($799 + shipping)

I'd say that's a pretty good reason.

I really like my current subs, but they're downfiring and since I'm practically OCD about placement, I never tip them over just to enjoy those magnificent 18" drivers...

Your ears don't care, subwoofers radiate omni-directionally. And downfiring/rearfiring subs have lower distortion, because that distortion is in the form of midrange harmonics that don't radiate omni-directionally.

That's because his ears don't have eyes, so they can't see the drivers no matter which way they're oriented.

I guess, but what always matters the most is how they sound.

I agree.

Of course. But as much of a placebo as it can be, visual aesthetic DOES play a part in many peoples enjoyment of their systems. I get excited over unmeasurable, irrelevant to the audio frills sometimes, and If it enhances the experience on a personal basis, then do it I say, as long as it doesn't involve $1000 cables :P

Whoa! I don't know the science well enough to know whether this is a radical notion, but it sure sounds like one. It also sounds entirely plausible. Whoa.

Radical? Hardly, it's been a well known fact in the audio engineering community for about 80 years. Give or take.

Bill, are you saying that those harmonics are above 80 hz and are therefore non-directional, and so are masked moreso on a downfiring woofer? If so, that sounds sensible to me. I'm not trying to be critical, I am just trying to understand what you are saying.

Well If you go with the VTF-3/4 (I owned an VTF-3/3) it should be more than enough for a 1400 cu ft room. Mine was in 1800 cu ft room (enclosed)
and it had more than enough output, low output also. Remember the driver is side firing, so you might want to turn it sideways to view the driver.

vardo

Might as well go for the VTF15H and if finance allows. Believe me, there is nothing more than you need in this forum Think about it, your dual F12's are more than most people need outside of this forum. I know you like front firing but the PSA XV15 is such a great value.

Prime, I had it (VTF-3/3), and many other HSU Subs as well, for many years. They are a terrific company, and a lot of people forget or don't
remember the buzz about the original VTF-1's, HUS's first "box" sub you could purchase online. Prior to that HSU's offerings were
cylindrical shaped subs (which were very good at the time, and still are). I live close by the headquarters of HSU so it was easy for
me to save on shipping. I started with two VTF-1's, and upgraded from there. Each time I "upgraded", I got a substantial
discount.

I've been in this hobby a long time (old guy, and my posts probably reflect that). Over 60 and still upgrading (or so I think). Just trying
different subs and I'm lucky I can do that. My back aches today, because yesterday I moved two Epik Legends into a stereo listening (they were my home theater subs)
area, and unpacked and placed dual Power Sound Audio XV-15's in my 1800 cu ft theater room. I like duals as they even out the sound.

So far the sound is awesome. With the XV-15's (at loud levels), they dig down to 15hz at almost 115db. Epiks couldn't do that.
(or IMO a VTF-3/3 for that matter). So just trying different things......the urge (at least for me) to upgrade never goes away. .

vardo
Edited by vardo - 11/18/12 at 2:44pm

Nice excuse, using your wife like that.



Good choice.

I agree....excellent choice.

vardo

The harmonics are directional, so they're attenuated when they have to go around corners. Below 80Hz is omni-directional, so there's no attenuation, no matter which way the driver faces. But the vast majority of users aren't aware of this, so front firing dominates the marketplace.

You're correct, it's mainly based on looks. When the average consumer looks at a sub and doesn't see a cone they think they won't hear the sound it makes the way that they should. That's because they think that speakers project sound the same way light bulbs project light. They don't.