New review of STF-1

[cschang]

Here are a couple of excerpts:

"When I did my max-output testing (measuring the subwoofer in the corner, 17 feet away from my standard microphone location), the STF-1 could hit 103 dB cleanly at 31.5 Hz, and could get to 106 dB with only minor doubling. Sensational behavior for a sub this size (and price) working into a 3,400 cubic foot room."

"At 31.5 Hz it also easily surpassed the $500 NHT SW10 I reviewed in issue 90, as well as the $600 Velodyne CT-120 I reviewed in issue 85, and was superior to a $500 Axiom EP-175 that I only recently auditioned for an upcoming review. This is an impressive little subwoofer that had no trouble eclipsing the performance of the pint-sized, $995 Sunfire True Sub Super Junior I reviewed in issue 94. At 20 Hz (the sub is not rated to go down this low), it could hit 80-84 dB (again, holding its own with the paired-up Polks, and equaling or beating both the NHT and the Axiom, and leaving the Sunfire in the dust). Still, if one is a super-serious pipe-organ freak, the larger STF-2 or STF-3 models, or the VTF-2 I reviewed in issue 88 might be a better choice. For 99% of all music the STF-1 is more than adequate, and then some."

-Sensible Sound Magazine by Howard Ferstler - October 2004

[Matt_Smi]

The STF-1 sounds like it is truly a great sub! No doubt in my mind it is the best you can get for $300. Yeah it may be lacking a bit in extension for HT use but for an 8 inch driver it is impressive, a lot of 12” subs cannot hit a true 32 Hz.

[craigsub]

It adds a nice bottom end to the Ascend Package in our family room.

That is one heck of a room Mr. Festler has... We got 114 dB at one meter/31 Hz by corner loading a VTF-3 Mark II, which is excellent performance.

106 dB at 17 feet translates into > 118 dB at one meter... YIKES ... :eek:

[Ddavidson]

I read Ferstlers STF-1 review and its very positive. However as indicated by Ferstler in the STF/VT review, Dr Hsu certainly doesn't sit still on what is already gathering praise. The VT12 speaker system being one of those getting improvements.

In the fall of 2004, Hsu will be offering a $100 add-on option to correct this: a floor-standing, mid-bass speaker that sports a 6 x 9-inch triple voice-coil woofer. This woofer will handle middle bass from all three of the surround channels, while leaving the three satellite speakers in place.

As much as reading reviews can be a great insight, it is once you start listening to Hsu products where you find out the real story as to why they get such good professional press.

Sure Hsu subwoofers play loud and play low. But the one thing that they consistantly do better than their competition is to just - "sound better" doing it.

Ddavidson