HSU VFT-15H vs. Rythmik FV15 - Page 2

A more powerful amp and a MUCH better driver with more excursion, more power handling, and ostensibly lower distortion.

But isn't there only a difference of 0.5db between the two versions of the FV15HP?

According to their website..yes.

 

I believe BTJ was comparing the FV15 vs the FV15HP (w/550 amp). 

 

How's it going BTJ? We're both ex-A7S-450 owners. Good move on the VTF.  I did very much enjoy my A7Ss though...just needed more juice...

When I did my "read everything I can find on both of these subs" about six months ago I was pretty set on the HSU before the research started. I ended up stretching the budget for the 600w FV15HP but today I'd go with the 550.

I've heard several of the subs in this category but admittedly not the VTF15H. The conclusion I came up with based on the research was the HSU was an incredible value performance per price ratio, but the Rythmik is a solid step up in both output and lower distortion. I paid more for it too. I've yet to find a negative review on the FV15HP. Mine is incredible and showed very well at the recent NE GTG which there are many write ups on. Audioholics reviewed both of them as well. The Rythmik is built like a tank, how do you think the HSU achieved that price to performance ratio?

You will not find better customer service than that which Brian of Rythmik provides, there are some great examples recently in the Rythmik thread. Not a bad idea for you to look into PSA in this price range as well. I'm sure you'd be very pleased with the VTF15H, but if you splurge a little more it is going to make a difference.

The FV15HP is my next upgrade and figured I'd go for the 600 watt version.

The "only" real issue I've read about with the FV15HP is that in single port mode you can hear port noise at loud levels. But really that should be expected with any single port sub and if it bothered you that much just remove the plug. It really is a super solid sub.

It does say on the sheet you get single port mode is for moderate levels and dual port mode is recommended for high SPL playback.

I have only run single port mode. I play all the latest fun action flix right around reference. I have never once caused port noise to occur in my home. At the GTG brutality test we cause it to briefly occur on the 5hz sweep and one other time with material way below the tune. Basically you may never hear it or hear it once a year for a milli second. Or put on a high pass filter and straight never hear it ever. Port noise is not a real concern with the FV15HP, coming from a man that has pushed the limits far. As far as I know no other review than the NE GTG has been able to achieve it and it took sounds far below port tune, below 10hz to achieve it. The HSU is broken before the Rythmik farts.

edit: for no port noise ever, HPF or sealed. Each choice is a tradeoff.
Edited by dstew100 - 12/31/12 at 11:21pm

dstew100, I'm extremely jealous that you got to listen to all of those subs at the same time. I wish someone out on the westcoast would have one of these GTG. Something just North of the border would be even better! lol

It was a great experience. It was a 5 hour drive for me and I got home two days before a eurotrip so it was very tight for me. I am soooo happy I went. We even had a few folks come down from Canada, some peeps flew in (or made a business trip be the week before). Great subs, great learning, great food, and most of all great folks. Had a blast and it was well worth the effort.

Bottom line, if you have a chance to go to one of these, do it.

The problem with subwoofers is "a little more money" seems to get you the next big thing. All comes down to budget.

Haha very true. One thing I'd never do though is buy a sub from the big speaker companies. IMO there is far better options for far less money. And companies like HSU, Rythmik, PSA and SVS are proving that. And there's at least another 5 or 6 solid other options.

I was in Best Buy yesterday looking around and happened to go into the section where they had subs. I looked around and just smiled to myself when I thought about my 15H.

i know the feeling

It's going great, sir! And you?

My A7s-450 was truly an output monster. The only issue was, I rarely used even most of the output. I felt like I was losing some musical detail in reference to my Arx A5 towers. I was hearing note almost get "cut off" and smeared at and below the crossover frequency band. The A7s was phase-matched, but it still was lacking a little. It's not exactly something a casual listener could tell, but it was noticeable to me.

Enter the HSU VTF-15h and I realized I was right. I traded a small amount of output ability for TONS of musical texture and detail at any volume level I would ever play music at (even home alone, drunk ). For me it was a huge trade up in SQ and dynamics. It's still more output than I need even for movies.

You are in a different boat altogether.

Congrats to you. Sounds like a great upgrade for your preference!

 

As far as tactile feeling goes, can you tell a difference between the two?

Absolutely. In fact, difference is so pronounced below 30 hz that it just has me shaking my head. It doesn't show up on the meter. Under HSU is flatter and had a little more output below 30 at my listening position.....but the tactile sensation is in another league. You can feel kick drums in your gut now.

I'm not exactly sure what is going on, since the difference in tactile sensation betrays the 1-2 dB increase in spl below 30. Our is present at all volume levels. They sound like two completely different subs. Totally different.

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That's very interesting...In my room, I have had a similar experience from a tactile standpoint, but with its couch shaking ability. The chest slam is and direct tactile feeling is primarily from the FTW21s, however ported subs in my room just shake the heck out of my couch that the sealed subs didn't. The FV15HP does it the best by far. Check out the link in my sig. 

A) i love the name of your 21" subs.

B) that fv-15hp is an absolute beast. It is under priced for the performance it delivers. It really is in another league from the HSU. I loved the one i heard.

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And, yes, my couch does shake now, whereas it didn't at all before with the A7s. With the accuracy and musicality of these newer ported subs, i don't see myself going back to sealed.

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