Opinions wanted on the HSU STF-2 sub.  

I upgraded from a little 8" 50 watt sub to an STF 2 about 4 months ago. This sub is everything that people say that it is. It plays low, loud and clean.

I'm sorry, but I have not heard a CHT-12, so I can't compare them. What didn't you like about that sub?

Keep in mind that when you are used to boomy bass, a quality sub may seem like it's lacking something when it's just cruising along in the higher bass frequencies - that's because you're used to the boom in that area. But when you first experience a sub that is putting out clean bass below 30hz, then you'll realize what you had been missing.

Karl

Oh, I didn't realize that you had a chance to check out the STF2 at compusa. However, you hit the nail on the head with the "placement" of the sub at compusa.

If both stores allow returns, buy them both and haul 'em home and try them both. You have nothing to lose.

Karl

For what its worth, I just settled on the STF-2 and I am scheduled to receive it on Wednesday. I received a $100 rebate after purchasing the Ventriloquist VT-12 system from HSU - a very good deal in my opinion. I will post my thoughts upon set-up and testing. From the reviews I have read, it appears this Sub is a very, very good value and a wise purchase.

You'd need a CHT-15 to equal or better the STF-2. Look at the VTF-2 in max mode since that is what the SFT-2 is fixed at. Tom Nousaine's measurements are here. If your not familiar Nousaine's frequency response rating it is to where he measures a 10% TDH(total harmonic distortion). While the CHT-15 is .2 dB higher over the 25-62hz range it reaches 10% THD at 30hz and can get down to 25hz. THe Hsu can reach 25hz before hit 10% THD and can make it down to 20hz.

I have had the VTF-2 for many years. Over that period I have tried many off the shelf subwoofers, but the VTF-2 still stands out as one of the best all round performance buys for both music and HT use. Spl measurement's are just one part of the VTF-2 and why its so well regarded. So much talk about Spl and little talk about accuracy. A good design has the ability to blend with your main speakers and not stick out like a sore thumb. If you keep wanting to turn off your sub because it sounds boomy or ruins the balance the alarm bells should be ringing loudly that the sub is not doing what it should be. A good subwoofer can do the one thing that so many other boomy boxes (subwoofers) sold on the market fail to do and that is "sound good". That's why the my VTF-2, VTF-3 and Tn1220 are welcome additions when my systems are playing back music. There is much more to a good subwoofer design than playing back louder at certain frequencies than another subwoofer no matter who is telling the story. You can not go wrong with any of the Hsu subs because the designs are done with that Music/HT balance in mind.

Ddavidson

No matter what, I am sure you are eventually going to replace your Sony SA-WM40 because the subs you are interested in are obviously much better. I did want to mention that if you haven't done the polyfill modification to the Sony, you might want to try. Basically you just take out the speaker cone and put about 3 inches of polyfill (available at any Wal-mart for $2) on the sides and top of the cabinet. It has done wonders as far as reducing boominess and tightening up the bass. Until I can afford to buy a new subwoofer, this modification will tide me over. There are other mods to be done, such as putting mod podge on the cone, but I haven't tried that.

HB

i had a paradigm pdr-12 then purchased the stf-2 with my new system.

the stf-2, IMHO, is much better.

they both made bass, but the stf-2 also produced SQ.

If you end up getting the Hsu's make sure that you set them up with an SPL meter. I have two VTF-2's running in max extension mode, the one thing that I really like is the feeling of bass during explosions in movies, but I hate extra bass when listening to music. So make sure that you calibrate with an SPL meter so you know where the bass should be and adjust from there. I run my mostly HT system a little hot, and the mostly music system right on the calibration point. Unless you have experience don't trust your ears, when I did, I was running the bass really hot. The interesting thing is that both of these systems calibrated in my rooms only requiring 1/4 of the possible volume on the knob. Who would have thunk it.

It really is quite essential to have a balanced reference starting point that you can call home. However there are a whole lot of personal perception and preference issues when listening to music, and very few things are more obvious than the different way people have their bass set-up. The human ear is not as sensitive to low frequencies (bass), which is why "most people" using just their ears for setting up subwoofer levels ...... will set it up way too hot compared to the rest of the frequency range. One thing with a Hsu subwoofer is its obvious lack of bloat within its frequency and output capabilities. This can catch you off guard if your used to a subwoofer that is not so well balanced. This lack of additional distortion noise leads you (by ear) to run a Hsu quite a lot hotter than you would for many other subs which tend to bloat and fatten out. I have found the Hsu designs to run very clean and yet dig right down to its lowest frequencies at some of the lowest distortion levels for their class. It makes balancing via the Spl meter even more important as clean output can be at deceptively higher level than you ear realizes.


Ddavidson

yes, i read it. you really need to calibrate your system.

also, if i remember correctly you said that you have the xover knob on the sub set around 70? are you connecting the sub via the sub output on the receiver? if so, you should have the xover knob set to it's highest point and use the bass management in your receiver. you might be chopping off the top part of your sub's frequency response and creating a bass hole.

your room is not that big, that sub should provide more than enough clean bass..

Because we all have so many variables and vastly different rooms there is a lot of trial and error in positioning your speakers and subwoofer in relationship to your listening position. Changing these positions dramatically can effect what you are hearing at the listening chair. Every room has vastly different acoustics which have a major effect on what you are hearing especially in the lower bass frequencies (below 250Hz).

Calibration and positioning is where you seem to be going astray. I consider it vital to use an Spl meter. That way it will help you understand more about your room and your systems capabilities and its limitations. Once you know what to listen for it becomes much easier to setup a subwoofer.

Ddavidson

Don't discount the 10" Athena AS-P400 subwoofer. It may not be as loud or deep as the Hsu subs, but it's accurate and plays well. Check out some reviews that you can find from Athena's Web site. I bought this sub for my parents' HTS. :)