Blast From the Past - Hsu Research HRSW12Va

[Michael Bain]

Here is a blast from the past for Hsu Research fans - the HRSW12Va. Dual ports with a 250 watt external amp and 12 inch high excursion driver. Looks better than upright tall cylinders, and much more stable with lower center of gravity too. Granite flat top so it could be used as an end table. More clean output and lower frequency response than most subwoofers produced today, capable of true 20Hz bass...

...made almost 10 years ago, prior to 1997.

http://gon8.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1108446201.jpg

http://gon8.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1108446203.jpg

http://img205.exs.cx/img205/1281/hsuresearchhrsw12va9ad.jpg

[Lwang]

Too cool, and with the handcrafted flares.

The TN was build purely with a limited floorspace in mide (to meet TN's challenge). Various components had to be placed where they were to meet that criteria.

[Ddavidson]

Owning one of these (along with the TN and latest MK2), the HRSW still holds its head very high. The interesting thing is that although the HRSW is an older model my wife much prefers the look, size and shape of it over the TN. When you get down to it, I dont know of any model that Hsu has produced that doesn't still stand up near the top of todays price/performance standards. That to me says a lot for the longativity of a good design from a world class designer like Dr Hsu.

Ddavidson

[Michael Bain]

Dr. Hsu also always creates truly original designs, generally significantly different from what we have seen before. He refuses to piggyback on other subwoofer designs ;)

I prefer the look of the HRSW as well, although the TN can be more easily hidden when placed sideways behind a couch.

[Ddavidson]

The small footprint of the TN has some big advantages and laying it horizontal behind a sofa needs relatively little room. This is one such enormous advantage for the TN. Most people however would never pick out a HRSW as a subwoofer if it is used as an end table. The dimensions and look and feel of the HRSW (esp with a real oak top) made for pretty good subwoofer conversation. For some reason I always relate my memory of the new 12va with the Jurassic Park LD. It used to really kick the 12va right into action.

Ddavidson

[Michael Bain]

Interestingly, Tom Nousaine tested the original Hsu Research HRSW12V to have 106.5 db's avg SPL from 25-50Hz <10% distortion. Add the typical 63Hz data point used in Nousaine's reviews since 1997, and this number should increase somewhat. The HRSW12V had a 12" driver, single 3.75" port flared at only one end, with a 150 watt amplifier.

The HRSW12Va has double the port area of the 12V, with ports flared at both ends instead of just one end. It also has a much higher excursion driver than the 12V, double the excursion capability, in addition to a 250 watt amp. In other words, an awesome performer.

[bacobits]

Right now purchased in '99 and in perfect condition I have a HRSW10V for sale with 250W original VTF3 amp. $290.00.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/bacobits/HSUSubAmp.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/bacobits/HSUSubAmp.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/bacobits/HSUSUB1.jpg

[Lwang]

Cool amp box, now all you have to do is add a woofer in it and it becomes a complete micro sub. Of course, one would probably have to EQ the bass @25hz to around +30dB for it to perform anything near flat.