[Billabongi]

Well, I finally ordered a new sub the HSU STF-2 and I got it in today. I was expecting some great things from the reviews on here and it being one of the most important pieces to a HT. Well I got it and im not impressed. Does it need a break in time to deepen up and make more bass?


Im using the subwoofer output off the receiver, internal crossover on sub is off, phase is off, volume is at half!


Im really hoping I didnt just blow 400 bucks....


Can I get a little reassurance here and could anyone tell me if im doing something wrong?

 

[cschang]

What kind of receiver is it? Have you played with the sub level adjustment on the receiver? What are you not impressed with?


Have you calibrated?


If you bought it from Hsu.....you can return it within 30 days.

 

[univibe88]

check your receiver settings. make sure all speakers are set to SMALL. make sure sub is set to ON or YES (depends on the receiver.)

 

[Artisn]

That is a great sub and if it does not sound good it is a setup issue or your receiver.


• What receiver are you using?

• How did you select your sub placement position?

• How are you handling your bass management?

• How do you have it calibrated?

• How do you have it connected?

• What is your room size and configuration?

 

[Ddavidson]

If you have not already go to the Hsu web site and fill in Dr Hsu's subwoofer positioning questionaire. Sounds like a positon and set-up problem.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/support/index.php?id=36


Ddavidson

 

[Billabongi]

Pioneer 1014TX at the moment before it goes back for something else....


I have a rather small room and has 1 of 2 spots front of room by mains or back of room under rears. Its in the rear as was my cheap sony sub.


I havent got into the bass management/calibration as im not a AV expert. Im making my opinion off switching a cheap sony sub for the hsu and not hearing a big difference.


I am using the subwoofer out on the receiver using a Monster Cable Subwoofer Cable


I have a 12x12 room



I do hear a little difference between the 2 mainly in responce, but I was expecting a better punch along with a better fill between my mains and the sub and better bass at lower volumes. Perhaps my wants are to high?


Im a general rookie to the higher end of the home theater im coming from cheaper components, but I know how bass should sound as I used to be a car bass junkie

 

[Ddavidson]

The relativity of your listening position to your subwoofers room locaton can greatly change the way the room effects your bass. If you are sitting in a "null" or are listening to a "strong peak" your impression will be greatly diverse. One of the quickest rough starting points is to position your subwoofer in your normal listening position, play the bandwidth limited pink noise (from a disc like VE/Avia) then by using an Spl meter locate the loudest sweet spot. It's not perfect but its a starting point and with knowledge and small tweaks it will help find the best spot you have available in your room.


If your sitting in a null you can crank it till the cows come home and you will get nowhere. You have no need to be an subwoofer expert, just refer to Dr Hsu as he is always willing to help customers.



Ddavidson

 

[Beaker1024]

A 12x12 room with a HSU STF-2 setup with the volume at 1/2 max! And you do not feel as if it is giving enough punch!


Amazing.


This has to be a setup issue or the sub has an issue. I have a 12x16 room (8ft walls) and a VTF-2 (original not MKII) set for max extension (that is to say = STF-2). Guess where my volume nob is at?


Less than 1/4 max volume. Even then the automatic setup of my receiver sets it at -7db!


You should have a ton of headroom with a STF-2 in a 12x12 room, period / end of conversation. Well there is room position, I tossed mine in the back corner behind the recliners but in the corner. This is where Dr. Hsu recommended.


I would seriously take a look at your receivers settings and make sure that your speakers are set to SMALL and subwoofer ON.


Good luck in getting things setup. For that money and subwoofer you should be impressed when moving up from a cheap Sony sub.

 

[Matt_Smi]

Quote:

Im a general rookie to the higher end of the home theater im coming from cheaper components, but I know how bass should sound as I used to be a car bass junkie

It should probably be mentioned that if you are used to car audio bass and expecting that kind of bass in a HT environment you are not going to get it. I was initially a bit let down after upgrading from a Sony SA-WM40 to my STF-2 because I was used to the boomy bass of the Sony and my car stereo (10†JL W0). I took time to listen to it and compare it to the Sony and got used to how much tighter and accurate the HSU was while still being able to go very loud and low. I now dislike my car stereo (used to love it). I am also not impressed with other peoples car stereos any more, my friend has two 12†audiobahns in his SUV and IMO it sounds terrible, sure they give you a back massage and you can fell it pretty good but they are so boomy and only hit one note, and he has the treble cranked on all the other stock speakers and it sounds so harsh, but he loves it so I cant knock that. It is a big transition moving from car audio to home theater IMO and car audio bass and HT bass is different. There are so many people in my age group (I’m 19) who think that bass is all that matters in music, I used to be one of them and am very glad I am not longer one of them, I am sure they will grow out of it too just at a much later age. But I now hate car audio and am glad I only spent about $200 on my car system and after getting used to my STF-2 most other subs just sound off.

 

[cschang]

Quote:

Im a general rookie to the higher end of the home theater im coming from cheaper components, but I know how bass should sound as I used to be a car bass junkie

This may give some insight to what you are expecting.


The majority of car bass I have heard is nothing like clean, audiophile grade bass.

 

[TTA89]

Your speakers are set to large or something. IN a 12x12 room at 1/2 volume that should be rattling the couch across the floor.


I have set my speakers to large and you don't get much from the sub. Re-check your setup. I am 100% sure its wrong somewhere.

 

[billt1111]

Quote:

Originally posted by Billabongi Pioneer 1014TX at the moment before it goes back for something else.... I have a rather small room and has 1 of 2 spots front of room by mains or back of room under rears. Its in the rear as was my cheap sony sub. I havent got into the bass management/calibration as im not a AV expert. Im making my opinion off switching a cheap sony sub for the hsu and not hearing a big difference. I am using the subwoofer out on the receiver using a Monster Cable Subwoofer Cable I have a 12x12 room I do hear a little difference between the 2 mainly in responce, but I was expecting a better punch along with a better fill between my mains and the sub and better bass at lower volumes. Perhaps my wants are to high? Im a general rookie to the higher end of the home theater im coming from cheaper components, but I know how bass should sound as I used to be a car bass junkie

I have a VSX-1014, a 20 x 20 living/kitchen area, and a STF-2 and can rattle my windows and make candy dishes bounce across my coffee table at half volume! I don't even need to calibrate it to get it to do that. Calibration and placement just get it to sound better without muddiness or distortion. Are you sure you are using a subwoofer coax cable from the 1014 to the STF-2 and you have it turned on?


During MCACC calibration on your 1014 you can set your sub to PLUS and it will send the low frequencies to the fronts and the sub at the same time. Also set the crossover to 150 Hz to make sure all the LFE gets routed to the sub.

 

[Billabongi]

Quote:

Originally posted by billt1111 Also set the crossover to 150 Hz to make sure all the LFE gets routed to the sub. [/b]

This of interesting to note to me. Isnt that very very high of a crossover setting? I currently have it set to 80 HZ as reccommended on here unless I misunderstood. On to my car audio, I had boston pros and a Kicker L7 setup for awhile, so I was used to mighty highs and a nice clean thumb from the kickers. I do not expect that kinda thump in a home but I want to know the sub is there on lower volumes and really know its there in higher volumes.


From what you guys are saying though, it sounds like a setup problem with the receiver. I will have to spend some time with it tonight.


One other thing, the sub is in the corner of the room about 5-6 inches from a solid wood nightstand on the left and about 2 feet from the wall to the right. Could this be my problem perhaps the nightstand is killing the sound?


Thank you so much for all the help on here guys, you guys are great!! This forum has to be one of the greatest finds of all time for me lol

 

[Rijax]

First take a couple of deep breaths and relax. Outside of a defective unit, which I doubt is the case, it is my firm belief that the problem is your newness and unfamiliarity with this whole process. The reason I can say that is because I have an STF-2 in a room 11.5x18x8 which is open to a 10x10 dining area, and the doggone thing does a superb job of bass reproduction. Nothing to worry about. We all were new to this at one time.


Be confident that with the help of the guys here on the forum, you'll figure everything out and be on your way to sub happiness. Don't put pressure on yourself. You may not figure it out today, or tomorrow, or even this week, but you WILL get it. So breathe deep, and don't worry.


I would bring your attention to this post by Mercury, which is a repost of some very good suggestions by Edward JM, who is a respected (at least by many) reviewer. Whether you like him or not, these are good suggestions for setting up your sub. It's a good place to begin.


Just if case you're not familiar with it Avia is a very good setup disk for both Audio and video. It's not inexpensive, but well worth the money. You also should have a Radio Shack Sound Pressure Level Meter . Also not inexpensive, but a very worthwhile tool.


Keep asking questions, and the guys here will help all they can. And the folks at HSU are only a phone call, or email, away. They'll be glad to help you.

 

[mallu2u]

Just brought the STF-2 home. What should be the settings for:


Crossover- On/Off

Crossover Frequency

Volume

Phase

Mode: Auto/on/off


Also, I just picked this up as an open box from CompUSA. I have heard that Serial #s before 1800 has a hissing/stuttering issue. Could you point me to a movie that should bring out this issue. I have Gladiator, Lion King, Beautiful Mind..


Thanks.

 

[cschang]

Only small percentage of subs below #1800 have a problem that Hsu will take care of if an exchange can not be done.


the settings you should use depend on your speakers, receiver, room, etc.

 

[mallu2u]

Thanks Curtis. Here is my setup info:


Speakers: Boston Acoustics all 5.

Receiver: Yamaha RX 620

 

[Beaker1024]

Quote:

Originally posted by mallu2u Just brought the STF-2 home. What should be the settings for: Crossover- On/Off Crossover Frequency Volume Phase Mode: Auto/on/off Also, I just picked this up as an open box from CompUSA. I have heard that Serial #s before 1800 has a hissing/stuttering issue. Could you point me to a movie that should bring out this issue. I have Gladiator, Lion King, Beautiful Mind.. Thanks.

Mallu2u -

1) If you set the cross-over on your Yamaha AVR (prefered method, if your fronts can go down to ~60hz set at the THX recommended 80hz, if your fronts hit only ~80 you might need to set it at 100 or 90 hz, test it out till you get a smooth freq sweep without any holes) then I would have the Sub set to Crossover "Off" (out on older HSUs), then just for good measure turn the crossover frequency to the highest (shouldn't matter as it's not being used but it's a good measure).


2) Volume - no way of telling you exactly what to set this at. Really dependds on the room and where you put the sub. I would ask your local friends to borrow a SPL meter (likely Radio shack) or buy one yourself. They are ~$35-$40 for the analog one which is fine. Set it at C weighting, Slow response test at the location you sit and watch at. User the internal test tones (ok but not best case) or one from DVE or AVIA setup disc (better case as you know what volume it shoudld be example DVE speakers test = 75 dB, subwoofer test = ~81dB) to make all your speakers output the same volume [or to match the test discs known volume] (fronts, center, rears volume control will be on your AVR in some form). Set the subs volume on the Subs amp to be even [= test tone known volume] (then bump it up +1dB to +6 dB by the AVRs subwoofer volume control if you desire a hotter sub). Just as a point of reference my VTF-2 in a 12x16x8 room with one small and one medium size openings has the volume numb at less than 1/3 max and my receiver (auto setup with mic) set the sub to -7dB.


3) Unless you are really into taking measurements I would say setting the Phase is very subjective and something not to worry to much about. Just sit in your listening location and have someone slowly turn the numb while hearing the same test tone. You are looking to do basically two things here. Find a phase setting that to you is not boomy and also not dead (no ummfff), this will also help blend the sub with the rest of the speakers when set correctly. Like I said, unless you get abounch of test equipment this is subjective.


4) Use the Auto setting unless your amp starts to act up and turn itself off to fast or not turn itself on. This shouldn't be the case and the Auto feature should work perfectly. I believe my VTF-2 is roughly 5 minutes wait without LFE signal before it auto-offs. Watching normal TV you can hear the sub kick off as oddly only some commericials have

 

[tqlla]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ddavidson If you have not already go to the Hsu web site and fill in Dr Hsu's subwoofer positioning questionaire. Sounds like a positon and set-up problem. http://www.hsuresearch.com/support/index.php?id=36 Ddavidson

Better try to learn to position it yourself. Their response of "in the corner" to me... not very helpful.


Try setting your main speakers to large. I know that my kenwood, if you have your mains set to large, only the BASS from the surrounds goes to the subwoofer


Kenwood has a Sub re-mix option that allows you to send BASS to your mains and your sub. I have this option on, and I set the X-over on my Sub to 55Hz. (Athena Recommends 44Hz for their AS-F2s)


Also, since you bought a Display at CUSA the problem could be that your sub has that volume problem, where most of the volume adjustment is in the top 25% of the knob. Its not a defect, thats the way they had early subs configured.

 

[mallu2u]

Thanks Beaker. What a wonderful explaination. I shall do all that tonite.


Since I took the floor model, the outside cardboard around woofer was coming off a bit (for one section). I carefully reattached the loose cardboard piece surrounding the driver with glue. Then I put a 'Blue Saphhire' bottle on top of it for make sure the carboard sticks properly!


I also not get the power cable and therefore need to buy that from Radio Shack. Also need to do the Nemo/Movie test for sub.