just received my VTF2 mk3, turbo problems [Archive]

pmwoodward

December 28th, 2006, 7:05 PM

Hello,

I have just received my VTF2 mk3 and am greatly impressed as I compare it to my old VTF3... more improvement than I was expecting... I also order the turbo... as you know, the VTF2 mk3 has 3" ports... the turbo has 4" tubes... not a perfect match... furthermore, the ports on the VTF2 mk3 cabinet are about 1/4" too low to match up well... this coupled with the fact that the turbo does not actually snugly fit into the ports seems to make is a poor option... trying my best to get it engaged, you can feel quite a bit of air leaking out of the junction, especially at the bottom of the port... as I mentioned, moving the ports on the cabinet up about 1/4" would help quite a bit... also some kind of adapter would be ideal, but with the ports being too low, the adapter would be useless... is anyone experiencing this same problem? if so, has anyone figured out a way around it?

thanks, Paul

Ddavidson

December 28th, 2006, 7:15 PM

Do you have the carpet grip mat underneath the turbo?
http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2054
http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2247
Maybe you could try four suitable mounds of poster putty for both the height adjustment and a non slip grip on the Turbocharger.

Ddavidson

pmwoodward

December 28th, 2006, 7:18 PM

yes, I did have the mat underneath... it just does not line up properly... In my humble opinion, HSU really needs to make a turbo specifically for the VTF2 Mk 3...

Paul

Ddavidson

December 28th, 2006, 7:23 PM

The VTF-2 Mk3 is just a VTF-3 Mk2 with a smaller amp. Here is a thread and pictures on the turbo with a VTF-3 Mk2 which may help.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2109

Ddavidson

Pete_Hsu

December 28th, 2006, 7:51 PM

Hi Paul, please see Legairre's comments here on how he was able to get the turbocharger to work with his VTF-3 Mk2: http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showpost.php?p=18066&postcount=8

Send him a message if you wish, he's a great guy and very helpful too.

So you also have a VTF-3 Mk1! I would love to hear your thoughts in more detail about how the VTF-2 Mk3 compares to the VTF-3 Mk1!

lradden

December 28th, 2006, 8:07 PM

Paul,
Let me know what I can do to help. I had the turbo on the VTF-3 MK2(same cabinet as your sub) and I had a really great fit. The key is that the "bottom" of the turbo tubes fit in the subs ports while the top are outside the ports, but because there's rubber around the tubes it makes a tight seal. Then just pull the turbo forward slightly(with the carpet mat underneath it of course) and that will provide a tight seal.

If you want you can pm me with your phone number and I'd be happy to call you and see if we can get things working. At first I thought the tubes had to fit in the ports 100% too, but the Dr. set me straight on how to get things working. Heck he even called me at home to help me out, so helping others is the least I can do.

BTW Thank you Peter for the nice compliments.

Legairre

Pete_Hsu

December 28th, 2006, 8:09 PM

Wow Legairre, that is very generous of you to offer to do that! I think you may have just one-upped Dr. Hsu on that one :D Take care

pmwoodward

December 28th, 2006, 8:13 PM

Hmm,

the pictures provided on this thread show something different than what I am faced with... I do understand that the turbo presses onto the 'flare'... but, on my sub, the ports are a bit to low to line up... I had the pleasure of speaking breifly with Dr. Hsu and he requested that I take a picture and send it to him... This I will do... It almost seems that for some reason the ports on this particular sub are about 1/4" lower than it should be... I am taking this sub and turbo over someone elses house in the morning who is the actual owner... We will have another go at it and take pictures and send them into Hsu...

thanks for all the help!

Paul

Pete_Hsu

December 28th, 2006, 8:33 PM

Paul, if you don't mind, please post some pictures here as well so that we can all take a look at it. Thank you!

pmwoodward

December 28th, 2006, 8:39 PM

Hi Peter,

Yes, I will post them here as well... it seems that my problem is isolated as no one else has stated that the ports seem to be too low to align properly... I will have another set of eyes and a reasonably functional brain (sorry CK) to attempt this again in the morning...

Once again, the new VTF2 MK 3 is a dramatic improvement over the VTF3!

thanks Peter

Paul

OU812

December 28th, 2006, 8:54 PM

Paul,

I purchased a turbo unit back in November from Audiogon for my VTF-3 MKII. I had trouble at first, but I followed llraden's advice in the forum thread provided to you by Peter and I have it working out great since - NO AIR LEAK whatsoever.

Makesure you use the carpet grip mat provided, follow llraden's instruction and you'll be OK. Once the turbo unit sits on that carpet grip mat, it won't move. I"ll guarrantee it.

aaronrun

December 29th, 2006, 1:38 AM

Aha, it apprears that I'm not the only one. I also am fitting the turbo onto the VTF2-MK3. Just like Paul mentioned, the turbo pipes appear to be about 1/4 in too high.
I've tried adjusting them to no avail. Got some pics attached.

Aaron

pmwoodward

December 29th, 2006, 2:42 AM

aaronrun is having the EXACT problem that I am... there is no need for me to take pictures... this is exactly how mine looks...

aaron, I was referring to the ports on the sub being too low, or viewed another way, the tubes on the turbo are too high... in short you and I have the same problem...

Paul

craigsub

December 29th, 2006, 4:10 AM

Guys, the turbo ports can pivot - try turning the turbo over, so the ports hang lower. It is about a 1.5 inch difference ... with the extra width of the port on the turbo vs. the sub, and the ability then to raise the turbo a bit if needed, this should work.

Pete_Hsu

December 29th, 2006, 9:28 AM

Aaron, if you slide the turbocharger box just a bit further back on top of the Mk3, are you able to make a good seal between the turbo ports and the Mk3 ports? Note that the turbo box is purely for cosmetic purposes and for holding the turbo ports so that the ports don't rest on top of the base subwoofer enclosure.

lradden

December 29th, 2006, 9:58 AM

Paul & Arron take a look at the first and second pic in in here and compare it to Aarons picshttp://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2109. My turbo box is pulled forward and the box doesn't hang off the end of the sub like Aarons. Try pulling the box towards the front of the sub slightly.

Pete_Hsu

December 29th, 2006, 7:15 PM

Guys, I suspected that the problem here could be related to the fact that the 250w amp requires a slightly smaller cutout than the 300w and 350w amp, and for some reason the ports on the VTF-2 Mk3 were moved downward just a bit. Dr. Hsu has checked and confirmed that this is correct. Our supplier moved the ports on the VTF-2 Mk3 down by 1/4", which means that the turbocharger doesn't fit. :(

EDIT: a potential workaround mentioned earlier by Craig should work so that turbocharger will fit into VTF-2 Mk3. This involves flipping the turbocharger, and adding just a small amount of height so that the turbo fits. We still need to test it to get the exact height, see more here: http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showpost.php?p=21359&postcount=19

pmwoodward

December 30th, 2006, 8:09 AM

Hi Peter,

I was pretty sure it had to be a manufacturing issue... Well, the ports being too high is not a problem unless one is using the turbo... Selling or returning the turbo is not an attractive option as my desicion to buy was based on the performance of the VTF2 Mk 3 with the turbo... Returning both and waiting for either the supercharger or the newer batch of correctly placed ports is also not a great option for me as I have just sold my old VTF3 and will have no sub at all... I am no trying to pressure HSU into announcing the availability date of the supercharger, but is this something that is expected in the near future?

HSU not only makes a great subwoofer but has great customer service and customer satisfaction... I am sure a reasonable solution will be offered...

Thanks again for all the responses trying to help!

Paul

Dr_Hsu

December 30th, 2006, 8:32 AM

Pete_Hsu

December 30th, 2006, 10:17 AM

Paul, this morning when I woke up, for some reason I started thinking about this issue of the turbocharger not fitting, and remembered Craig's post about flipping the turbocharger and adding height between the turbocharger and base enclosure so that turbo fits. I realized that this could and should work. Interestingly enough, a few minutes later, I had confirmation from Dr. Hsu about the potential to fix this issue by doing just that! So we will test it on our own, and report back to you guys as soon as we do that. Thanks again to Craig for the quick thinking.

Sincerely,

Dr_Hsu

December 30th, 2006, 10:25 AM

Pete_Hsu

December 30th, 2006, 10:37 AM

Great! Also, if someone could wrap enough carpet grip (from Home Depot or Loews) so that the height is raised by 1.5", then that should work too.

lenbo

January 2nd, 2007, 3:43 PM

Has anyone tried the spacer yet ? I'm getting my mk3 this friday and would like to hear some feedback on the fix and how the sub sounds with and without the turbo ? Thanks

craigsub

January 2nd, 2007, 4:02 PM

Has anyone tried the spacer yet ? I'm getting my mk3 this friday and would like to hear some feedback on the fix and how the sub sounds with and without the turbo ? Thanks

lenbo - By Sunday morning, the 7th, I will have a VTF-2.3 running with and without turbo ... there may be some other guys who will have one set up before that, but I'll post some impressions ASAP ... probably Sunday Afternoon.

aaronrun

January 3rd, 2007, 10:03 AM

So... I take it HSU has no intention of building these spacers and shipping them to us? I understand if you guys don't have materials or people to handle the task but if that's the case I feel a partial refund is due. I think it's probably unfair to expect us to have to buy the materials and create this adapter on our own time. HSU has produced a good product but unfortunately it was shipped to us without being tested. This seems to be turning into more of a DIY project than I think we originally intended.

Pete_Hsu

January 4th, 2007, 8:02 PM

aaron, feel free to contact techsupport if you are not comfortable with trying out those options. Dr. Hsu will be very busy for the next week (T.H.E. SHOW in Vegas starts soon), but after that he should be able to spend more time on this.

dv1930

January 9th, 2007, 3:14 AM

I agreed with Aaron 100%.

Paul Woodward and I have own our VTF-3 for some time, and enjoy it very much. We were very excited to found out the new MK3 products.
As a matter in fact, another co-worker of ours is going to put in his order for VTF3 MK3 yesterday.

Paul ordered the VTF-2 MK3 and turbo for me. He compared with the VTF-3 and was very impressed with the performance. Unfortunately, he also discovered the fitting problem with the turbo and started this forum, and it appeared we are not alone.

I admired Dr. Hsu's great visions and set a very high standard for the Subwoofer industry. However, I am very disappointed with the mismatch problem between the sub and turbo. Some how the cabinet manufacturer decided to cut the 3" ports 1/4" lower. (Dr. Hsu personally discovered and admitted the imperfection mistake by the cabinet maker)

At this time, I am certainly don't want to be stuck with this mismatched sub cabinet. A mistake that HSU Company should correct by offering other resolutions beside the DIY suggestion.

We have purchased two items that don't fit correctly and were only given suggestions to turn the turbo upside down to resolve the mistake. For that I am very annoyed.

Dave Chan

Echomalinois

January 9th, 2007, 1:50 PM

So stop posting in this thread and call HSU and give them a chance to resolve this for you. Public whining wont get you any where, if any thing it will make people ignore you. So you have to make a spacer to make the Turbo fit your VTF2-MK3. (which it was never really designed for in the first place) Big deal! You got a great product at a great price, spend some time listening to it instead of b******* about a petty problem.:mad:

andy503

January 9th, 2007, 2:11 PM

Wow, that was a bit harsh. IMO, he was just stating his feelings about the situation (not in a vulgar way at all). This is a public forum where people get to discuss or vent about problems/opinions. Just my 2 cents.

andy

lemonsp

January 9th, 2007, 2:36 PM

What andy said. :rolleyes:

Echomalinois

January 9th, 2007, 3:18 PM

Ok, maybe a bit harsh. But the point of him repeatedly posting about this problem it that he wants someone else to agree with him. I just posted how I feel about what he is doing. Granted a bit harsh, and for that I apologize. He has a response from Peter stating to give them a call and they will work on this. Yet the post goes with more I feel wronged by this. I know this is my first post, and I should not have started this way. :o

Raptor 22

January 9th, 2007, 3:59 PM

I think that this thread is VERY informative. While researching my next purchase, a new subwoofer, I have been lurking and asking a question or two, even called the HSU order line looking for answers. Too many of my questions have been ignored or just brushed over. My system has been collected over the last 30+ years. While a single, no other responsibility type guy I bought the bleeding edge expensive components. My buying habits have changed now and, while still pumping money into my hobby, my money goes to the people who earn it and will be there when I need them, personally I often elect to pay more for this business ethic. I know that if I ordered a sub and "matching turbo", it darn well better match! If not, I would demand to be "made whole". I can just imagine what would happen the next time I install some accessory in a customer's aircraft, claimed it was seamless and then told them to go to Home Depot and pick up some carpet to make it work. Sorry for the rant, this one hits home. Paul, best of luck and please post your results. There is at least one potential customer watching.

Pete_Hsu

January 9th, 2007, 5:36 PM

Don't worry about it guys, Dr. Hsu will come up with an equitable solution. He's just a bit busy right now, but maybe next week he can delve deeper.

dv1930

January 10th, 2007, 10:44 AM

I totally expect bashing from other members for my post. No hard feeling.
Forgiven.

I only want to make a point, and granted we are not alone.

However, I was surprise with Aaron, which he has not post anything on this forum after he requested partial refund, because he wasn't happy about the DIY fix also??
I even send him an email personally asking what his thoughts are? But have not received any reply from him?? From Peter replied to Aaron, Peter ask him to call tech support, did he arranged some kind of deal with HSU, which he doesn't want us to know?? :)

I did call tech support before my last post. They all went to Las Vegas according to the lady who answered the phone.

Paul, my friend who started this forum at the beginning, did send an email to Peter privately earlier with respect to Dr. Hsu. He didn't want to make public, because he didn't want to see what happen after my last post. Which to our expectation, it did created some attentions. Paul was next to me when I send my last forum, because he agreed there's no better resolution offered yet after 2 weeks of the posted problem.

I guess that is not a decision Peter could make? Or I take Dr. Hsu is very busy. But this is the 3rd weeks since I bought the sub, I like to find out what kind of resolution can HSU offer before the 30 days is up.

I think it's fair that, HSU should offer customers who received the error cabinet a choice of; a full refund if they don't want to keep the purchase or a replacement of correctly cut VTF2. And please don't ask us to pay shipping again because it's not the customer's fault at the first place.

It is always the selling company responsibilities to make sure customer's satisfaction. If a mistake was made, the company should at least offer replacement to their customers, but in this case, the least they offered is a DIY fix.

Being a former business owner. A good customer will tell the company what's wrong and work with the company. A bad customer will never come back and the worst is to start bad mouthing the company.

Peter, thank you for your hard work!

Thank you for members who understand my point of view.

Regards,
Dave

davenlei

January 10th, 2007, 11:47 AM

I am sure Dr. Hsu and Peter will make this issue right for people who are unsatisfied with the current fix.

In all my dealings with the HSU staff (when purchasing the VTF-3MK2 and now the turbo), they have been very responsive and helpful to any question, request or concern I have had.

You have to remember that they have been gearing up for a trade show that is very important to them and at the same time have dramatically increased their product line with several new subs and components. That is some serious growing pains for a small company.

I was actually at their office today to will call an item I ordered but they had not receive the shipment yet. Due to the short staff they have this week, they were not able to contact me to let me know of this problem. Once I got there, they went out of their way to reduce any concern or hassle I had and gave me several options on getting my product to me as quickly as possible. Hopefully Friday (crossing fingers).

Sometimes things just don't work out exactly as planned. I am sure they were not expecting the enclosure manufacturer to decide to cut the port holes on the VTF2 lower for some reason.

I do not work for Hsu but I know they have always made me very satisfied as a customer whenever I had a concern.

Pete_Hsu

January 10th, 2007, 3:52 PM

Paul/Aaron/etc, I wouldn't be too concerned about the 30 day money-back guarantee in this case. Clearly none of you are at fault, and Dr. Hsu is much too busy this week at T.H.E. SHOW in Las Vegas to evaluate it. Just sit tight until next week, and I'm sure we'll work something out that is equitable to you!

Pete_Hsu

January 15th, 2007, 6:06 PM

Gentleman,

Dr. Hsu has agreed to take back the turbochargers for those who ordered it with the VTF-2 Mk3. Feel free to either contact tech support or give us a call.

Sincerely,

aaronrun

January 15th, 2007, 9:55 PM

Hey sorry for not responding to your email Dave. I feel bad about it because I must have accidentally deleted it. I guess I've had to deal with enough spam email that sometimes I'll delete email from people I don't recognize without opening it at all. If you are able to recall and rephrase what you asked me feel free to resend it.

First off I want to thank all the people that have contributed to this post. I really appreciate the insight you all have shared. After the response to my last post I assumed the thread was going to die and I would be on my own but thankfully a bunch of you stepped up to the plate. I read that HSU was planning on coming up with a solution following CES so that's why I haven't posted until now.

Now for the not so fun part.

If I'm totally honest with everyone here, I'm pretty shocked that the newly formulated solution to all our problems is that HSU is going to allow us to return our turbos for a refund. :( I thought we already knew this was an option.

Dave asked me in his last post if I had called tech support and worked out a solution with them. I have not called yet because of CES.

Also I don't see any reason to want to keep whatever sweet deal they might have offered as a secret from the rest of you. The point of my posts in this thread was to attempt to get a fair resolution for all of us affected.

Hopefully calling tech support will yield much better results than posting here have. I'm guessing?? that HSU wants to deal with us one at a time instead of having to come to a universal solution.

I hate to step on toes but this is how I feel and some of you might appreciate it. I still have faith in HSU to offer some real options and I plan on calling them asap.

Best of luck, Aaron

AudiblConoiseur

January 16th, 2007, 6:31 AM

So is there an option that HAS been made or IS GOING TO BE MADE about the turbo fitting the VTF-2 MK 3? I have one as you all know and I love it but the ability to go lower and have more for a few $ more is an option. If I do this, I want to buy a properly built and fitted turbo. Is this an option and if not, when will it be or will it be?

Thanks for your time

Pete_Hsu

January 16th, 2007, 7:02 AM

Yes, Aaron, please call this week and see if you can speak with Dr. Hsu. The options that I see are either 1) return the turbo, 2) wait for Dr. Hsu to work up something so that turbo will fit properly on the first run -2 Mk3, or 3) wait for supercharger. Note that the supercharger will offer potentially higher performance than turbocharger, but if one wants or needs one or the other right now, then it would have to be turbocharger. A potential option 4) could be credit towards a VTF-3 Mk3, and you are more than welcome to discuss that with Dr. Hsu, although no guarantees that he will agree to that. The price difference between a VTF-2 Mk3 + turbo and a VTF-3 Mk3 is about $80, but the -3 Mk3 is the better deep bass performer due to larger internal volume and larger ports.