Upgrading from VTF-3 HO to a ULS-15

[OU812]

Guys,

I have owned a VTF-3 HO for 3 years now and am contemplating upgrading to a ULS-15 (perhaps the dual drive...).

For those of you that upgraded from either the VTF-3 HO or VTF-3 MK3 to a ULS-15,

What differences should I expect? What made it worthy? I am looking for opinions since I don't have the luxury to audition the ULS-15.

Thanks.

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi OU812,

May I ask what are your room dimensions (HxWxD, including open areas), and what % HT/Music you plan on using the system for?

I can say without question that the ULS-15 DualDrive system is a huge step up from one VTF-3 MK3 or VTF-3 HO, for both music and movies.

Sincerely,

[OU812]

The room is aprox. 9'H x 15'W x 22'D. I do 60% HT, 40% music. Pete, I forgot to add that I currently have a VTF-3 HO *with turbo* + MBM-12.

Since I don't have the ability to audition 1 or dual ULS-15's, I am wondering if the upgrade would be significant.

[hometheatergeek]

I love your handle. Old Van Halen fan eh? You got a great sub system. Why do you feel you need to upgrade?

[Pete_Hsu]

Thanks for the info OU812 (htg, good catch, is that the name of the entire album or just one song?)

Is your room well-enclosed?

I do feel that dual ULS-15 will be a significant upgrade.

Sincerely,

[OU812]

I love your handle. Old Van Halen fan eh? You got a great sub system. Why do you feel you need to upgrade?


You caught up to my "OU812" name. Yes... I used to be a Van Halen fan - both Roth and Hagar, although I preferred the Hagar-phase just a little bit more.

Now - it is all about DREAM THEATER for me... yeah!

Well back to the subwoofer topic, it all comes down to my long, difficult quest for the ultimate in subwoofage (as long as it is within my $$$ range :) ). I have been happy with the subwoofer system that I have currently, but all the feedback on the ULS-15 (yes...I've read yours too at avsforums) are getting me curious about upgrading.

[OU812]

Thanks for the info OU812 (htg, good catch, is that the name of the entire album or just one song?)

Is your room well-enclosed?

I do feel that dual ULS-15 will be a significant upgrade.

Sincerely,


OU812 => Van Halen's 2nd album with Sammy Hagar on vocals. :)

My room is not fully enclosed. It has an opening to the rest of the 2nd floor (2-story home). However, my wife came up with a clever way to "close" that opening. We use theater, acoustic curtains to close that opening when we watch movies and it works out effectively.

[OU812]

Guys,

I have owned a VTF-3 HO for 3 years now and am contemplating upgrading to a ULS-15 (perhaps the dual drive...).

For those of you that upgraded from either the VTF-3 HO or VTF-3 MK3 to a ULS-15,

What differences should I expect? What made it worthy? I am looking for opinions since I don't have the luxury to audition the ULS-15.

Thanks.


I guess my question is => Am I better off adding another sub like the VTF-3 MK3 to my current setup (VTF-3 HO, turbo + MBM-12) or *upgrade* to dual ULS-15's?

[Pete_Hsu]

That's a good question OU812! May I ask what areas you would most like to improve on with your current system? Where are you currently placing the HO and MBM, and what placement options do you have for dual ULS?

Thanks

[OU812]

I have the VTF-3 HO with Turbo on the front left corner of the room and MBM-12 behind my recliner sofa which is my main listening spot.

What would I like to improve from what I currently have? If the ULS-15 can reproduce the bass with the force and extension of the VTF-3 HO or perhaps, even best it, and also do it with even more "accuracy" then, it would get my attention for sure. I can put dual ULS-15 up front (L/R corners) or I can place them one up front/Left corner and the other one behind the recliner, but further back from where I currently have the MBM-12.

But I also wonder about adding a VTF3 mk3 to what I already have, since the MBM-12 reproduces the mid-bass with such clarity. I guess it is the feedback from satisfied ULS-15 owners when they comment about the accuracy. That's what got me intrigued...

[Pete_Hsu]

My preference would be two ULS's up front (located next to each other in one corner), with the MBM-12 close to the listening position. Adding a VTF-3 MK3 to the VTF-3 HO/MBM system would certainly be a much less costly way to upgrade, but ideally one would want to use identical true subwoofers.

[hometheatergeek]

Well of course a ULS-15 DD system with a MBM would definitely be a great upgrade. :)

You then would have the ability to go even lower in FR (10 Hz) then your present system and with the mid-bass slam from the MBM, your Movie and Music will never sound better. Hopefully you can get a good price on selling the VTF-3 HO so it can help pay for the upgrade.

Don't worry about not auditioning the ULS-15s. I did not and I am still amazed at their performance.

So I guess I am partly to blame for your upgrade itch. You know you shouldn't read AVS. See what happens? :p Also if you buy a DD system, you will then have to get Terminator Salvation so there goes some mo money. :D

I got to get a cheaper hobby. :o

[OU812]

Well of course a ULS-15 DD system with a MBM would definitely be a great upgrade. :)

You then would have the ability to go even lower in FR (10 Hz) then your present system and with the mid-bass slam from the MBM, your Movie and Music will never sound better. Hopefully you can get a good price on selling the VTF-3 HO so it can help pay for the upgrade.

Don't worry about not auditioning the ULS-15s. I did not and I am still amazed at their performance.

So I guess I am partly to blame for your upgrade itch. You know you shouldn't read AVS. See what happens? :p Also if you buy a DD system, you will then have to get Terminator Salvation so there goes some mo money. :D

I got to get a cheaper hobby. :o


Yes, hometheatergeek - your feedback after getting the ULS-15 dual drive is what got me curious, to say the least. You are right about avsforums, I already bought a copy of Terminator Salvation, so the VTF-3 HO+turbo+MBM-12 system will be taking a shot at it. Then, I watch it again after I get the ULS-15 dual drive and see what the difference will be. :D This hobby can get costly pretty quickly, especially if you are looking for the best in "subwoofage".

[hjones4841]

Pete should put hometheatergeek on commission:). He helped me decide on ULS-15s for my system. I upgraded from a single Velodyne FSR-18 (18" driver, 1250W amp) to a Quad Drive ULS-15 in August. Like the 'geek I still am amazed when I get to turn the system up. I never run out of headroom...

Talking about turning the system up, a new impediment for me. I got a new puppy a month ago (minature dachshund) who is very skittish. Any noise makes her run for cover. The subs are true torture for her. She will just have to get over all that:D

Be sure to go with one of the "luxury" finishes on the ULS-15s. Very, very nice!

[sethhobrin]

Just wanted to pop in this thread. I went from a single VTF3.3 to dual drive ULS-15 without ever hearing or seeing the ULS15s in person. Absolutely happy with my purchase.

My suggestion is to make sure and get the premium finishes. The walnut is beautiful.

[hometheatergeek]

Well it's a New Year and I haven't read anywhere if OU812 has gotten a dual drive yet. Has anyone else heard anything?

[OU812]

I am going to hold on for now. After watching Terminator Salvation and Valkerie (when Tom Cruise and family are waiting the air bomb raid in the basement...), I was reminded again that my current VTF3-HO+Turbo+MBM-12 system is definitely not lacking on the bass department.

Terminator Salvation left me SPEECHLESS.... :D

[hometheatergeek]

That's understandable. Like I had stated earlier, I did wonder why you wanted to upgrade. You are only missing the VLF from your system. Very few movies drop down to 10 Hz. Most of the activity in TS is above 30 hz. I haven't seen Valkerie yet.

I have seen on other forums that 9 is also a bassfest. I was going to rent it this weekend but the roads around Atlanta are still iced over and I will not be taking my G35 out in it this weekend. I have a busy next two weeks ahead and will be out of town. But I will have a good time, the first week, when I will get to see and hear Mr. Jones' HT Quad Drive :eek: system while I am in Birmingham AL.

Later

[hjones4841]

I predict that our very own Hometheatergeek will have a good case of upgradeitis late Tuesday night after spending an evening with my 'Quads:D . Ya'll might need to SPEAK UP for a couple of days after I get thru blasting him with high level LFE:)

BTW, I ran REW again this afternoon to make sure the BFD was still set right. I did not save the plot because it matched this one from earlier, except this time I did not see the valley just above 100Hz. I might have had the measurement microphone in a slightly different place this time, placing it outside the null.

[OU812]

That's understandable. Like I had stated earlier, I did wonder why you wanted to upgrade. You are only missing the VLF from your system. Very few movies drop down to 10 Hz. Most of the activity in TS is above 30 hz. I haven't seen Valkerie yet.

I have seen on other forums that 9 is also a bassfest. I was going to rent it this weekend but the roads around Atlanta are still iced over and I will not be taking my G35 out in it this weekend. I have a busy next two weeks ahead and will be out of town. But I will have a good time, the first week, when I will get to see and hear Mr. Jones' HT Quad Drive :eek: system while I am in Birmingham AL.

Later

Hometheatergeek,

Check out Valkerie (or was it "Valkerye"). It is a pretty good movie based on a true story. That scene when Tom Cruise and his family hear the sirens that a plane is coming to bomb the area, they moved down to their basement to wait it out. You can hear, as the plane approaches, the bomb blasts get louder until (totally unexpected).... BOOOOOMMMMMMMMBB!!!! In my theather room, the VTF-3 HO+turbo+MBM-12 replicated this blast like the freakin' bomb landed on top of our room :eek: It was the loudest, deepest, and cleanest bass thud... My wife an I both jumped and looked at each other in awe. I was smiling ear-to-ear :) Overall, the soundtrack of this movie is pretty aggressive with lots of planes engines, guns, machine guns, bombs, etc. What would you expect out of a war movie.

[coolguy949]

The thought of a ULS setup sounding "significantly" better than a VTF3-HO is almost unfathomable to me. Every time I hear my HO it almost brings a tear to my eye (and I don't even have turbo or MBM). "Feeling" the bass is almost an understatement....I actually feel like I've been transported in to the movie itself.

To think there is significantly better sound out from Dr. Hsu astonishes me. He managed to outdo himself. :)

I'll be heading to HSU some time this week to demo the ULS. I've got to hear these things. I will be leaving my wallet at home though. After this xmas my wallet is going to melt with another huge purchase.