Finally did it.

[jeeptrekker]

Well, after many years of following the progress of Hsu Research, I finally purchased their products. It all started a long time ago when I read a magizine review (I think it was in Stereo Review) of one of the first Hsu Subs (at least it was the first time I had heard of them). During the audition, the reviewers noticed a low frequency rumble in a recording of the Saint Saens Organ Symphony (with pedal notes down to 16 hz) that they had never noticed before. A call to the producer of the recording revealed that when they were making the recording there was construction going on nearby and big trucks were driving by the church. They felt that no one would be able to hear such low frequency on any stereo speaker. That got my attention!!

For many reasons, including family and financial, I was never able to act on my desire to have a Hsu sub. That is until now. Today I placed an order for one HC-1, four HB-1s, an MBM-12 and a VTF-3 Mk-3 with turbo. When I do something, I reeeaaally do it.

The web site of one of my favorite people, the FedEx man, says that the packages have already been picked up and are scheduled to be delivered on Thursday. Of course, I will be out of town that day, go figure. I guess this is when sons earn their keep. He has a chore to do on Thursday and doesn't even know it yet.

I will be posting a placement question here as soon as I make a drawing of my room.

Awaiting anxiously,

Richard
Las Cruces, NM

[daman4799]

Congrats & welcome, I'm sure you're going to love this set up. You should be covered from top to bottom.

Later, Daman

[DNelms]

Glad to hear the good news Richard.


You will not be disapointed.

[jwill242004]

how much did that end up costing, if you dont mind??

[Pete_Hsu]

Thank you very much, Richard, we are quite honored! That Stereo Review article was from the early 1990's wasn't it?

[jeeptrekker]

The FedEx man lived up to his word and delivered everything on schedule. Two days from Anahiem to Las Cruces, NM is pretty good. As I said earlier, I was out of town on Thursday so my son hung around the house to sign for the delivery.

Last night we set everythng up, including the assembly of new speaker stands. In our excitement, once we got everything connected and placed in initial position we cranked up Lord of the Rings FOTR and played the bridge scene we had used during our audition. WWAAAYYY too much bass!!! We used the pink noise test tones on my receiver for calibration. We had to turn down the VTF3 and the MBM to get them in line with the rest of the speakers. Then back to the LOTR and it was much better.

Next came the first battle scene from Master and Commander. For the first time I got the true movie theater experience in my home entertainment room. Then we turned to music and the Saint Saens Organ Symphony. The pedal tones are played with authority.

We decided to do some more calibration and we popped in the Hsu test CD and much to our disappointment, it wouldn't play. We tried it in another CD player with the same results. Bummer!

My son had to leave so I turned to music. I just kept getting lost in the music, it was so much better than my previous setup. No matter what I played, it was so much better than before. Chamber music sounded so much more life like. I didn't realize how much low end I was missing from the cello before. The bass drum beats in the second movement of Verdi's Requiem were amazing. Even Beethovens Moonlight Sonata was fuller and more musical.

Next came Tower of Power. The clairity and definition were wonderful. I will have to do something about my paintings on the wall before I play the heart beats in the beginning of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon again. The heart beats made the pictures rattle.

Today I will spend some more time on the setup. Maybe I will be able to find a test CD/DVD locally.

Peter, yes that review was done in the early 90's.

Jwill, I was still able to get the intro pricing on the VTF3 w/turbo and the MBM 12 so it came out to a little over $2,000 with shipping.

More to follow

[will95]

jeeptrekker:

I have been considering a nearly identical setup. The only difference being that I was not planning to buy the MBM unit. Would you please comment on the changes in the sound when you remove the MBM from the setup? Also, would you say more about your impressions of the HB-1s and HC-1 with music and HT?

[JHixson]

I put little rubber feet on the back of my paintings so they do not rattle but they are crooked a lot. Is you MBM nearfield and the sub farfield? Have you noticed any audio delay in this setup. My MBM is scheduled for delivery on monday. I have to quit buying things my new years resolution is that as soon as I get my MBM and B&W center to go with the mains is to not buy any home theater equipment this year. Need an amp for my guitar maybe I will stop buying anything audio after that purchase.

HMMMMM? Maybe I need a new computer.:D

[Matt34]

Congrats, sounds like one heck of a setup! The great thing about it is, it's just going to get better the more you toy with it.:D




Oh, we need pics!!;)

[jeeptrekker]

Just a brief follow-up. I was unable to find a test CD/DVD so right now I am using the test tones on my receiver and my RS SPL meter. Since both the MBM and the VTF 3 are on the subwoofer circuit, I am unsure if they are balanced correctly.

The MBM is placed nearfield and the VTF is in the rear corner of the room. I originally placed the MBM just to the right and just behind my listening position. With it in this position, I often heard the sound coming from my side. (I could turn my head and look right at the port) This was very distracting when listening to music. Today I moved the MBM a few feet forward so that it was just to the right and in front of my listening position with the port facing forward. That seems to have corrected the problem.

Regarding listening impressions, first let me say that I do not claim to have golden ears. Also, the speakers that were replaced were pretty old and not all that good so, as you would expect, these are a huge improvement.

Regarding the subwoofer, for me it was a case of going from having very little low frequencies to having all that I could possibly want. This is something I don't need to tell you about.

Regarding the MBM, it seems to do exactly as described. It seems to add fullness to the music. I will try doing some listening without the MBM in the system and give you my impressions. I think any results will be suspect though since to fairly evaluate it in or out of the sytem, you would need to change the crossover settings on the VTF. This is because they are set differently with the MBM in the system as compaired to not having one. In other words, just switching the MBM on or off wouldn't be an accurate test. We'll play with it and see.

Regarding the HC-1 and the HB-1, they sound great to me. I know that this is not much help but, again, I do not claim to have golden ears. I will listen more and see if I can come up with some more definitive comments.

One last comment: My other son was giving me grief yesterday for spending so much on this system. Today he came over for a listen and changed his mind.

Regards

Richard

[Pete_Hsu]

Thank you for the great write-up, Richard!

If you have a chance during the week, would it be possible for you to post a rough sketch of your room?

Thanks again, and enjoy the system!

Sincerely,

[shotgunfl]

I just got my VTF2 MK3 today. I had the same problem with the test disc. I put it into my computer and saw the disc only contained a nero .nrg iso file. I copied this to my desktop and burned the image using Nero to another CDR. After that I had a good test disk. Too bad my 10 year old DVD player doesn't read CD-R's. No go on my XBox either. I had to rip MP3's back to my hard drive and stream them to my receiver using my TiVo. This whole pocess seemed like the longest hour of my life because I've been waiting for a week to hear those 16 Hz tones:D. Now my 7 year old daughter keeps asking me to make the "subwomper" shake the walls. All I can say is "Wow!", good thing I have a concrete block home!

Go Gators!:)

[Pete_Hsu]

Welcome to the forum shotgun! Subwomper is very funny name :D

[aht3]

subwomper....cool.

I am actually going to call it that when I order one.:D

[aht3]

I just got my VTF2 MK3 today. I had the same problem with the test disc. I put it into my computer and saw the disc only contained a nero .nrg iso file. I copied this to my desktop and burned the image using Nero to another CDR. After that I had a good test disk. Too bad my 10 year old DVD player doesn't read CD-R's. No go on my XBox either. I had to rip MP3's back to my hard drive and stream them to my receiver using my TiVo. This whole pocess seemed like the longest hour of my life because I've been waiting for a week to hear those 16 Hz tones:D. Now my 7 year old daughter keeps asking me to make the "subwomper" shake the walls. All I can say is "Wow!", good thing I have a concrete block home!

Go Gators!:)

The site specs on this sub are 18Hz. does it actually go lower? Shotgun, I am a bit on the bubble about getting a sub but you are helping me out with your initial impressions. Would you post some more impressions on your selection? I believe that the VTF2 MK3 is the way to go for me but it will be tucked in a corner under a desk in a 12x11x10 room. I was looking at the VTF3 MK 2 and 3 but why buy the 2 if it is only 20 bucks cheaper? I guess you can see my dilemma. BTW does anyone know if the VTF3 MK2 is downfiring? if it is, it might be a better chice for me given the location I have to place it in.

Thanks. I really need the help

[SeattleDucks]

The site specs on this sub are 18Hz. does it actually go lower? Shotgun, I am a bit on the bubble about getting a sub but you are helping me out with your initial impressions. Would you post some more impressions on your selection? I believe that the VTF2 MK3 is the way to go for me but it will be tucked in a corner under a desk in a 12x11x10 room. I was looking at the VTF3 MK 2 and 3 but why buy the 2 if it is only 20 bucks cheaper? I guess you can see my dilemma. BTW does anyone know if the VTF3 MK2 is downfiring? if it is, it might be a better choice for me given the location I have to place it in.

Thanks. I really need the help

Hi aht3,

The 3 MK2 and the new 2 MK3 are identical except for amplifier power - same enclosure size, same downfiring 12" driver, same dual 3" ports, same tuning with both max output and max extension modes. The only difference is that the newer 2.3 has 250 watts continuous power rating where the 3.2 is at 350. This is actually not a huge difference in power as you must double amp wattage to see a mere 3db increase in output level, and in your room size the 250 watts is going to be more than enough.

But the huge difference is HSU's new aggressive pricing on the 2.3 and it is an amazing steal at only $469!!!