HSU-VTF-15H Subwoofer vs rythmic15HP shich is better for classical and jazz music

You might as well flip a coin. Either one will put a sh*t eating grin on your face. Owners of both are going to tell you they love it.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/3/13 at 8:47am

The VTF-15H is right around $1000 shipped and the FV15HP is right around $1300 shipped. I think you need to decide how much you're willing to spend first and decide for yourself. I say if you can afford it get the FV15HP, if not get the VTF-15H. Really only you can decide, if this is your first real sub upgrade either will make you smile from ear to ear.

These are both output monsters. How large is your room? These may be overkill if you are going to mostly listen to Jazz/Classical music with them.

His room is 3200 cu ft. He listed it in another thread.

I have to agree. Those two monsters may be more than you need for your purposes. Throw some home theater in there and you're good to go with either.

Then I am thinking something like one of the below options should be more than enough:
http://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/power-x/products/xs15
https://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb12-nsd
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk4.html

These are probably overkill:
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html
http://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/power-x/products/xs30
https://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb13-ultra#.UOXE4Wfa2E4

He also posted this in the speaker forum: "It does have openings to the kitchen on one side and the family room on the other."

It's nice to have all the info you need. I'm thinking overkill might be better. But then I've always been partial to overkill.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/3/13 at 10:10am

Hey, I like overkill too For classical and jazz, I would just worry a little about an output monnster overpowering his mains. A smaller sealed sub opens up more placement options and could offset the size of the room. If we were talking home theater or dupstep I would say go with the bigger ported monsters.

All he would have to do is turn down the gain.

I don't think you'll feel it's too much as you can adjust it to your tastes. It's not just about loud but how low and defined it can get.


I don't have a proper grasp of the servo and somebody please correct me if i'm wrong. It seems to me that servo is correcting to make what you hear fit a certain response eg like a dsp mode on a AVR. (that's rather simplistic on my part).
Like I said I don't have a good grasp on it, that's just how it seems to me. You may love it or you may not.

There is a guy near me that has one or two rythmics that is on the demo list. Sadly I haven't seen him here in a long while, i'd love for the two us to get together and compare our subs.

If its between just these two subs and he likes to listen to classical and jazz I would say the FV15HP would be the better choice for sure. From what I've read the Rythmik drivers are very accurate.

Sure, but if you don't need a sub that plays below 30-40db and you don't need lots of output, why would you recommend a massive ported subwoofer when a smaller sealed subwoofer can more than get the job done for a cheaper price?

That would be another good option.

He has the paradigm studio 100 v2 speakers. Just another tidbit left out from a different thread.

In a different thread you had earlier stated it would be used mostly for movies. What's more important? Movies or music? A blend of both?

Jazz wouldn't normally go low but Classical sure can go below 30hz. With his room size and only using one sub I would go ported (imho only) If he was planing to go duals then i'd be tempted to say get a smaller sealed.
The ULS would be sweet. though the 15H as you know can be "sealed" roughly and might suit both his needs music and films.

Too many choices.

P.S. Ack is doing a very interesting DIY project that you might be interested in.

With those speakers and that huge screen I'd want a real movie theater experience. I'd go for the FV15HP. It will give you that and more plus handle the bass in any movie you throw at it. Just my opinion.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/3/13 at 11:48am

+1

If he's only considering these two subs IMO the FV15HP is still the better of the two if he doesn't mind spend the extra money. Or he could always go the middle of the road and get a PSA XS30 , that's what I did...lol

SVS does have a very solid 1 year trade-up program:
https://www.svsound.com/bill-of-rights

You could start with something like an SB12 or PB12 and then add either another, or trade up to the SB13 Ultra or PB12+..

It really depends on you and how loud you are trying to go. If you want reference level then we are talking about different solutions that if you are just listening to classical and jazz at moderate or even high listening levels. Many of the $650-750 subs should be able to achieve that in your room just fine.

If he was considering a HSU ULS-15 I would suggest he reads this review at post # 820
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1372020/power-sound-audio-discussion-thread/810

And also read this thread from the GTG
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1434901/northeast-october-20th-gtg-results-thread

And suggest saving his money and go with a PSA XS15 over a ULS-15 IMO.

When I attended the recent get-to-gether the Rythmik FV15HP (with one port plugged) did everything well, and with plenty of volume. Rythmik has a great reputation and you won't regret purchasing it.

To be fair to the HSU, it does sound like there was an issue with it. But yeah if you are okay with the industrial look of the PSA, it is a lot of bang for the buck and based on the OP's budget the XS30 could be a killer sub for the money. Now that he mentioned the home theater aspect I would either go with the Rythmik or PSA XS30 or XV30.

If you want an XS30 you'll have to wait awhile. None available now and their next production run won't be til mid February.

I take that back. They may have a few left. You'll need to call to find out. Once they run out you'll have to wait til mid February.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/4/13 at 5:43am

Wow, they are leaving money on the table that Hsu, Svs, and Rythmik will gladly take.

I think you have no reason to be concerned about the Rythmik with classical music. Check the Ascend Acoustics Forum. Curtis Chang is the Moderator. After going through a number of other subs he bought Rythmik and has extensive experience with the Rythmik with classical music. I think Curtis Chang has been happy with his Rythmik for several years.