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Need advice on HSU vs. SVS

post #1 of 25
12/31/12 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 
Hi all,
I am looking to buy a sub in $400-$500 price range and narrowed down the choices to HSU VTF-1 series and SVS SB1000/PB1000.

This sub will augment an existing in wall 5 speaker system (3 on the wall behind the screen, 2 on the opposite wall). Speakers came with the house, so not sure what type of speakers they are.

The room is 20x20 with a vaulted ceiling (8 feet going up to 10 feet in the center). The room is carpeted.

We will use the sub mostly for movies though occasionally for music as well. No particular preference for size and/or look

I have looked at other companies (Def Tech, Klipsch etc..) but given the rave reviews on this forum for HSU and SVS, I am leaning more towards these. Would also appreciate your input on whether my coverage is too limited or if I should look at other brands.

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice,
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post #2 of 25
12/31/12 at 9:44am
Good question. One goal should be to insure that your new sub solution blends well with the rest of the speakers.

The HSU VTF-1 and SVS PB1000 are ported enclosures where as the SVS SB1000 is sealed. Are the current speakers full range and capable of low frequencies? If the answer is yes then you will need to do some trial and error to see if a ported or sealed sub sounds best in the application. If the new sub will handle all low frequency information then if is more about the individual sound quality of the sub.

I don't have any direct experience with HSU or SVS but in very general terms the sealed type sub will have very good tight bass. The ported will be louder typically. Sound quality of ported enclosures varies greatly by design and brand so hear it before you buy it.

Good luck.
Edited by Gaugster - 12/31/12 at 9:53am
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post #3 of 25
12/31/12 at 10:00am
One more thing to add is that if the Hsu sub has Vtf in the name then it can operate as a sealed or ported sub.
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post #4 of 25
1/1/13 at 12:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all your replies. I also spoke to customer service at Hsu and SVS. Both of them recommended a bigger sub for the room of our size (20x20x8). So I am also looking at VTF-2 MK4 and PB12 series. Your input on those also will be very helpful

Thanks,
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post #5 of 25
1/1/13 at 4:45pm
the pb12 is a beast, i own one. love it so much, got awesome power and great punch.
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post #6 of 25
1/1/13 at 4:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spider441 View Post

Thanks for all your replies. I also spoke to customer service at Hsu and SVS. Both of them recommended a bigger sub for the room of our size (20x20x8). So I am also looking at VTF-2 MK4 and PB12 series. Your input on those also will be very helpful
Thanks,

Is that sub that Hsu recommended specifically for that room?
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post #7 of 25
1/1/13 at 6:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spider441 View Post

Thanks for all your replies. I also spoke to customer service at Hsu and SVS. Both of them recommended a bigger sub for the room of our size (20x20x8). So I am also looking at VTF-2 MK4 and PB12 series. Your input on those also will be very helpful

Thanks,

I think the pb12 would be closer in performance to the vtf3-mk4.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
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post #8 of 25
1/1/13 at 6:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BufordTJustice View Post

I think the pb12 would be closer in performance to the vtf3-mk4.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

I agree, something with a little more kick on the Hsu side.
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post #9 of 25
1/1/13 at 7:08pm
I think the VTF2 would do just fine, and would keep up with the PB12 easily. The PB12's limiter looks like it is pretty strict.
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post #10 of 25
1/1/13 at 7:17pm
Thread Starter 
Actually, I got it wrong. I was recommended the VTF-3 MK4 by the representative from Hsu
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post #11 of 25
1/1/13 at 8:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spider441 View Post

Actually, I got it wrong. I was recommended the VTF-3 MK4 by the representative from Hsu

That's more like what I was expecting them to offer.
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post #12 of 25
1/2/13 at 1:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prime316 View Post

That's more like what I was expecting them to offer.

Same here.
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post #13 of 25
1/2/13 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spider441 View Post

Actually, I got it wrong. I was recommended the VTF-3 MK4 by the representative from Hsu

That makes more sense. Its a beast.
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post #14 of 25
1/3/13 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 
OK, time to make the decision. I am going to order the VTF-3 MK4 tomorrow. The edge for me is the versatility with HSU compared to other SVS. And the pricing (even after shipping) comes out to be a bit cheaper.

Please tell me if I am making a mistake ;-)
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post #15 of 25
1/3/13 at 8:35pm
Well I would say its a good choice, I'm picking two up on Saturday. Versatility was a big factor in my decision as well.
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post #16 of 25
4/17/13 at 5:53pm
Figure I'll add on to this thread rather than making a new one...

While considering the PB-1000 and the VTF-1, I've come to a few questions. My room is roughly 2000 cubic feet at the moment. I'm hoping to move within a year or so and am trying to anticipate my future needs. Just wondering if either of these subwoofers would be sufficient for my current needs, and would it be possible to just add a 2nd one should those needs change in the future? Not sure if I should just go with a larger sub now . Any thoughts?

Current system Yamaha RSX 571 (will need to be upgraded to 7.2 I guess). Paradigm Monitor 7 L/R. Polk Fx iA4 surrounds. No Centre or sides at the moment.

edit: damn typos
Edited by fido2 - 4/17/13 at 8:55pm
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post #17 of 25
4/19/13 at 7:32pm
No suggestions?
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post #18 of 25
4/19/13 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fido2 View Post

No suggestions?

whats your budget?
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post #19 of 25
4/19/13 at 7:44pm
I would skip them both and go for either the VTF2, Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, or Rythmik LV12r. Any of those will be a lot more powerful then the VTF1 or PB1000 and only costs a bit over $100 more shipped. If you really can not spend that much, look at the Premier Acoustic PA-150. It will get a lot LOT louder than the 10" subs you are considering.
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post #20 of 25
4/19/13 at 8:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post

I would skip them both and go for either the VTF2, Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, or Rythmik LV12r. Any of those will be a lot more powerful then the VTF1 or PB1000 and only costs a bit over $100 more shipped. If you really can not spend that much, look at the Premier Acoustic PA-150. It will get a lot LOT louder than the 10" subs you are considering.


damn thats a great deal! Never heard of that pa-150 sub, have you listened to one?
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post #21 of 25
4/19/13 at 9:22pm
No, but there are measurements for it over at data-bass.com. It doesn't have much deep bass, but it has ok output from 30 to 40 hz, and terrific output at 50 hz and over.
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post #22 of 25
4/19/13 at 9:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post

No, but there are measurements for it over at data-bass.com. It doesn't have much deep bass, but it has ok output from 30 to 40 hz, and terrific output at 50 hz and over.

a yes so it has similar characteristics of the psw505, just more output. still thats a good buy, probably not recomended much around here due to the fast roll off below 30hz?
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post #23 of 25
4/19/13 at 10:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by basshead81 View Post

a yes so it has similar characteristics of the psw505, just more output. still thats a good buy, probably not recomended much around here due to the fast roll off below 30hz?

Yes. For a large room on a not great budget this is a very good deal. If I had to choose between a sub with deep bass but modest output and a sub with high output above 30 hz, I would take high output above 30 hz every time.
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post #24 of 25
4/22/13 at 4:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by basshead81 View Post

whats your budget?

Immediately. $500. But I'm not impatient. If I can save money in the long run by buying a more expensive sub, then I'll just save up longer.

Thanks for the suggestions Shady. Im looking into those subs now.
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post #25 of 25
4/22/13 at 5:00am
Quote:
While considering the PB-1000 and the VTF-1, I've come to a few questions. My room is roughly 2000 cubic feet at the moment. I'm hoping to move within a year or so and am trying to anticipate my future needs. Just wondering if either of these subwoofers would be sufficient for my current needs, and would it be possible to just add a 2nd one should those needs change in the future?
IMO, the PB-1000 would work well in a ~2,000 cu.ft. room, as would duals in a larger room.

That said, saving up for a better / more powerful sub in the short-term, with the prospect of doubling up later on, is always a better option.

Example: The Outlaw LFM-1 EX was very recently on sale for $629, shipped - an excellent price for a very well-rated sub.
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