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Subwoofer Recommendation: Hsu VTF 15, VTF-3, Monolith 15, Others?
Hello everyone. Birthday is coming up and girlfriend is asking me what I want (or more accurately, what subwoofer I want) so I am coming here for some recommendations. The budget is around $1300, but of course less is nice too if something performs as well as a more expensive thing.
This subwoofer will be in an open plan living room, the size of the open plan living room (in total) is approximately 14x22 (with 8 foot ceilings). This sub will replace my current infinity r12 and will be a part of a 5.1.2 setup. The receiver is a denon x2600h (sadly no audyssey xt32).
Currently looking at HSU VTF 15 and the VTF-3, and also looking at the Monoprice Monolith 15. Of course if you think the smaller/cheaper versions (VTF mk2 if I recall correctly, man hsu has confusing naming, or monolith 12) that is fine too. But other recommendations (from say Rhytmik or any others) would be greatly appreciated. Will be using this mostly for watching movies and playing games, so thinking ported will be best.
Any suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated!
This subwoofer will be in an open plan living room, the size of the open plan living room (in total) is approximately 14x22 (with 8 foot ceilings). This sub will replace my current infinity r12 and will be a part of a 5.1.2 setup. The receiver is a denon x2600h (sadly no audyssey xt32).
Currently looking at HSU VTF 15 and the VTF-3, and also looking at the Monoprice Monolith 15. Of course if you think the smaller/cheaper versions (VTF mk2 if I recall correctly, man hsu has confusing naming, or monolith 12) that is fine too. But other recommendations (from say Rhytmik or any others) would be greatly appreciated. Will be using this mostly for watching movies and playing games, so thinking ported will be best.
Any suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated!
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
The hsu is very good. Really can't be beat for the$. Spending more won't necessarily get you much. You would get slightly lower extension and distortion with monolith 15". You get trade in options with PSA. Rythmik has a servo control.
There are not many bad choices in the 15" world.
There are not many bad choices in the 15" world.
I went with Hsu VTF-3 Mk5 because I had trouble with the greater depth of the VTF-15 Mk2. If you have the space for the VTF-15, go for it. It's not a great deal more expensive. The Hsus are fairly old school: analogue everything.
(The VTF-3 is lighter than the VTF-15. It was about as heavy as I cared to wrestle around without help.)
Sadly, the black versions of both are on back order. The VTF-15 is in stock in "rosenut" (similar to rosewood, but not affected by trade agreements) for an extra $150.
The VTF-2 Mk5 uses a 12" driver. I think it can play as low as the VTF-3, but it can't play as loudly. You probably want a 15" model for that room size. Two might be better.
I can't compare the Hsu to Monoprice or Rythmik. The Monoprice is even heavier than the VTF-15, though. 128.5 lbs.
(The VTF-3 is lighter than the VTF-15. It was about as heavy as I cared to wrestle around without help.)
Sadly, the black versions of both are on back order. The VTF-15 is in stock in "rosenut" (similar to rosewood, but not affected by trade agreements) for an extra $150.
The VTF-2 Mk5 uses a 12" driver. I think it can play as low as the VTF-3, but it can't play as loudly. You probably want a 15" model for that room size. Two might be better.
I can't compare the Hsu to Monoprice or Rythmik. The Monoprice is even heavier than the VTF-15, though. 128.5 lbs.
If you could bump your budget to $1609, the HSU Dual Drive VTF-3 would be a great option. If you can't right now, purchase one of them for $869 with the intention of buying another down the road if you decide you need more.HSU website says you can preorder now with a mid June delivery date
If you're buying single sub, here's how they objectively compare:
Performance
Monolith 15 is the king of performance from 30Hz and below (ideal for HT). VTF-15 comes close
VTF-3 is the king of mid-bass
Cost
VTF-3 is quite a bargain for its performance.
Monolith is the most expensive, but falls precisely within your budget ($1340 with free shipping).
Caveat
Monolith's performance comes at a cost of size. But you can get creative with placement.
If you can stretch your budget and get duos, VTF-3 duo drive is a no brainer... but you will have to add "a lot" on top of $1300 (at least $350 sans shipping. Also, it is on back order).
If I were the one in such a dilemma, I would take the Monolith 15.
Performance
Monolith 15 is the king of performance from 30Hz and below (ideal for HT). VTF-15 comes close
VTF-3 is the king of mid-bass
Cost
VTF-3 is quite a bargain for its performance.
Monolith is the most expensive, but falls precisely within your budget ($1340 with free shipping).
Caveat
Monolith's performance comes at a cost of size. But you can get creative with placement.
If you can stretch your budget and get duos, VTF-3 duo drive is a no brainer... but you will have to add "a lot" on top of $1300 (at least $350 sans shipping. Also, it is on back order).
If I were the one in such a dilemma, I would take the Monolith 15.
The HSU stuff is a very good value. They appear to have increased prices the least compared to some of the other ID companies. I also like the idea of dual subs better then a single.
Due to the size (more specifically depth) I am starting to lean towards the VTF-3 (the lower price is nice too, don't want GF spend an arm and a leg on this) but a little concerned that the HSU will not come in time (which I personally do not care about but I know she does). I can integrate either of the three in the room (from visual perspective) but the deeper ones will stick out slightly which is not ideal.
In terms of the 12 inch ones (so VTF2-MK5 and Monolith 12), given that I live in an apartment and that this will be in a living room, I will never use them at reference volume (usually listen at 60 volume or lower on Denon receiver on a 0-98 scale, which i believe translates over to -19db on the -79db to 18db scale). Keep in mind I can not have two subs (placement issues and of course GAF) so will only have the one. Given the volume of the living room/kitchen area is around 2500 cubic feet, would one of the 12 ones work or would you recommend either a) taking the risk on one of the 15 HSU's (by risk I mean whether it will come on time) or b) spending more for Monolith 15 (gf does like the way it looks more than the HSU).
In terms of the 12 inch ones (so VTF2-MK5 and Monolith 12), given that I live in an apartment and that this will be in a living room, I will never use them at reference volume (usually listen at 60 volume or lower on Denon receiver on a 0-98 scale, which i believe translates over to -19db on the -79db to 18db scale). Keep in mind I can not have two subs (placement issues and of course GAF) so will only have the one. Given the volume of the living room/kitchen area is around 2500 cubic feet, would one of the 12 ones work or would you recommend either a) taking the risk on one of the 15 HSU's (by risk I mean whether it will come on time) or b) spending more for Monolith 15 (gf does like the way it looks more than the HSU).
I'd stick with the VTF3 rather than go down - the VTF2 is a great sub too but you'll always wonder. If the VTF3 is your frontrunner as well just reassure her that it's worth the extra wait to get exactly the one you want.
If you can only have one, and she prefers how the Monolith looks, she'll definitely be impressed by its performance. Go for Monolith if she is willing to spend, go for HSU if you can convince her to wait. That living area might require a 15".spending more for Monolith 15 (gf does like the way it looks more than the HSU).
That is a good point, I do have a tendency to sometimes do that. When my JBL ES250 died two months ago, I got an Infinity R12 to replace it temporarily since it was on sale (with an intention to move the R12 into my office/mancave once my birthday came lol). I do kind of regret not getting the VTF-2 instead since I find I end up using my "mancave" setup way more often than I initially anticipated.I'd stick with the VTF3 rather than go down - the VTF2 is a great sub too but you'll always wonder. If the VTF3 is your frontrunner as well just reassure her that it's worth the extra wait to get exactly the one you want.
I would still go HSU...proven track record of reliable performance with good customer support. And no it doesn't take 2 VTF15.2's to compete with 1 Monolith. Some of these new posters in this subwoofer section make me LOL.
I struggled with this decision myself and ended up going with the FVX15 by Rythmik. The subwoofer sounds absolutely fantastic and I am eagerly waiting to pick up its SO when it becomes available again in July.
You really need to stop posting nonsense.15” Monolith wins
two hsu vtf15 would be needed to compete with it .
Yeah I just was wrong monolith only better under 30hzYou really need to stop posting nonsense.
HSU VTF-15H MK2 VS MONOLITH MONOPRICE 15 inch
I am looking to purchase the monolith sub for $1200, do you think it's worth the price over the HSU sub? I watched a video on YouTube with Youthman comparing the monolith 15 to the SVS-PB3000, the Monolith destroyed the PB-3000. Many people say the monolith is close in performance to the...
www.avsforum.com
To me it is between the Monoprice and HSU. You have the 2 correct companies and are looking at the right subs. In this price point, I don't think there are any other considerations. Monoprice recently had a 15% off coupon which brought their 15" sub down to $1140 or so. Even with that, I don't see the value for the extra $300 over the HSU. I have Monoprice subs, but if I was going single driver, I would own HSU.Any suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated!
They are so close in performance that it really comes down to price. I would buy the HSU now, pocket the difference or save the difference expecting to buy a second one at some point in the future.
Since VTF15 and Monolith 15" are getting a lot of discussion (rightfully so):
Extended modes
Hz-------VTF15--------Monolith
12.5-----NA-------------97.4
16--------102.3---------104.5
20--------107.1---------108.6
25--------110.6---------112.4
31.5------114.5---------115.2
40---------117.1--------116.7
50---------117.6--------116.8
63---------116.9--------116.5
80---------116.8--------116.4
High output modes
12.5-----NA------88
16-------98.6-----103.3
20-------105.4----109.6
25-------111.8-----113.6
31-------116.4-----116.5
40-------119.9-----117.9
50-------119.5-----117.6
63-------118.1-----117
80-------117.5-----115.7
Extended modes
Hz-------VTF15--------Monolith
12.5-----NA-------------97.4
16--------102.3---------104.5
20--------107.1---------108.6
25--------110.6---------112.4
31.5------114.5---------115.2
40---------117.1--------116.7
50---------117.6--------116.8
63---------116.9--------116.5
80---------116.8--------116.4
High output modes
12.5-----NA------88
16-------98.6-----103.3
20-------105.4----109.6
25-------111.8-----113.6
31-------116.4-----116.5
40-------119.9-----117.9
50-------119.5-----117.6
63-------118.1-----117
80-------117.5-----115.7
Agrees I am very much leaning towards the VTF 3 (not the 15, as she finds the 15H ugly and it has the same size issue as monolith 15, and is close to price to monolith 15 so in many ways more so either between vft3 or monolith 15 now). I found out budget is 1500 so could get a vtf3 plus a new center for the "mancave" to replace the below average pioneer aj center (maybe the emotiva c1+), or add cheap atmos upfiring speakers to the mancave setup (either pioneer aj upfiring, elac upfiring or emotiva upfiring).To me it is between the Monoprice and HSU. You have the 2 correct companies and are looking at the right subs. In this price point, I don't think there are any other considerations. Monoprice recently had a 15% off coupon which brought their 15" sub down to $1140 or so. Even with that, I don't see the value for the extra $300 over the HSU. I have Monoprice subs, but if I was going single driver, I would own HSU.
They are so close in performance that it really comes down to price. I would buy the HSU now, pocket the difference or save the difference expecting to buy a second one at some point in the future.
Decisions decisions. I will say though that I am very tempted by monolith 15 (wish it was cheaper) due to its ability (from what I can tell) play well below 20hz. But I would also assume the other ones can do that too below reference volume (I listen, max, at 60-62db avr volume)
Agrees I am very much leaning towards the VTF 3 (not the 15, as she finds the 15H ugly and it has the same size issue as monolith 15, and is close to price to monolith 15 so in many ways more so either between vft3 or monolith 15 now). I found out budget is 1500 so could get a vtf3 plus a new center for the "mancave" to replace the below average pioneer aj center (maybe the emotiva c1+), or add cheap atmos upfiring speakers to the mancave setup (either pioneer aj upfiring, elac upfiring or emotiva upfiring).
Decisions decisions. I will say though that I am very tempted by monolith 15 (wish it was cheaper) due to its ability (from what I can tell) play well below 20hz. But I would also assume the other ones can do that too below reference volume (I listen, max, at 60-62db avr volume)
No. They'll fall of a cliff. Monolith 15 is the extension monster at this price point.
Whether you will feel 10hz at your listening volume is a different matter but you can always employ a house curve to feel those infrasonics if you want to.
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