VTF-3 MK3 as an end table plus other questions.

[RossK]

Hi,

Has anybody used one of these subs as an end table? If so, have you actually put stuff on it, like a lamp? If the sub is turned up to moderate levels, would it cause whatever is on it to rattle?

I have a living room that is 12' x 14'. It opens into a dining room that is around 13' x 13'. The opening between these two rooms is ~8' wide. Would the VTF-3 MK3 be big enough to fill this area? Would one of the smaller VTF series HSU subs work as well?

The sub would have to be placed on the opposite end of the television and speaker wall (The East wall). It will have to be placed on the South wall about 9 to 10 feet away from the East wall, or about 3 feet from the West wall. The wall that opens to the dining room is the North wall. Hope that makes sense. Anyways, since this is such a small room, should there be any problems with localization if the sub is crossed at 80hz?

Thanks for any responses in advance,


Ross

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi Ross,

We have many, many customers who have used these subwoofers as end tables. Some people even get glass pieces to place on the top of the subwoofer! You can certainly put things on top of the subwoofer (with a soft pad in between).

Sincerely,

[JustPete]

If I were to do that, I'd definitely get a nice 1/4" tempered glass cover.

Personally, I'd solve the problem of the OP by getting 2 VTF2's instead of one VTF3. You'll be able to play the subs much lower and achieve the same intensity of bass and you won't have the speaker/grill accessible to damage.

[RossK]

Thank-you for the replies,

I'm guessing the VTF3 would be more than enough to fill that room also?

JustPete. The room is really tight, so I really only have room for one sub. Besides, the woofer will be firing into the couch, so the chance of damage will be very slim.

[Bill Mitchell]

Ross,

I have a space slightly larger than yours, that also opens into the dining area, and the VTF3-Mk3 is sufficient. So I don't think that will be a problem.

As I understand your description, though, localization may be an issue. The one time I tried a near field placement perpendicular to my view of the TV, I found it very disorienting to see action in front of me, e.g., cannon fire in Master and Commander, and hear the sounds from one side of me. So I returned the sub to its corner placement, which was on the front wall, and not localizable even if several feet away from the set.

Good luck,
Bill

[Yan]

RossK,
But be careful! Don't spill your coffee into port. :D

[JustPete]

JustPete. The room is really tight, so I really only have room for one sub. Besides, the woofer will be firing into the couch, so the chance of damage will be very slim.

Hmmmm ... that could prove to be very uncomfortable. I'd be inclined to go 1 VTF 2 before I'd side right next to a driver firing low frequencies at me shaking my guts.

I can tell you this ... my room is much larger than yours and is also adjacent to a very large kitchen (14x20 room opening into a 14x26) with a 6' open archway and the VTF2 handles things fine sitting 6' behind the main listening area.

If it's a seat that will be rarely used than I'd consider it, otherwise not for me personally.

[RossK]

Yes,

I'm still thinking about whether a 12" sub in my gut on a daily basis is something I really want. LOL. Perhaps the downfiring VTF2 would make more sense. It would still be right beside the listening position.

Dr. Hsu,

Thank-you very much for your quick replies to my emails.

[Pete_Hsu]

Ross, I am not Dr. Hsu (we all work for him, he is the man! ;) ), but my pleasure to help at any time :)

Sincerely,

[RossK]

You too Pete, but I believe it was Dr. Hsu (Poh Hsu?) that I was speaking with via email.

Everybody on here has been very helpful as well though.

[Matt_Smi]

Every time I see a thread with this title I have to reply! Since I am one of those people who own a VTF-3 MK3 and had a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the sub and think it makes it look great as an end table. The cost to have this done was $30, I keep a lamp on mine (different than the one pictured) as well as my laptop when it’s not in use. I have some think foam padding under the lamp, which I think it meant to keep objects from sliding on smooth surfaces and it keeps it from rattling. I have to take some updated pictures but I put a few below...

VTF-3 V.S.STF-2, this is a BIG sub
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3865976078_c897abe356_b.jpg

Sub with glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3856971425_d149d01290_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/3856971617_6758e73d7a_b.jpg

Sub before glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3865976620_ddaf369c7f_b.jpg

[monkuboy]

Every time I see a thread with this title I have to reply! Since I am one of those people who own a VTF-3 MK3 and had a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the sub and think it makes it look great as an end table. The cost to have this done was $30, I keep a lamp on mine (different than the one pictured) as well as my laptop when it?s not in use. I have some think foam padding under the lamp, which I think it meant to keep objects from sliding on smooth surfaces and it keeps it from rattling. I have to take some updated pictures but I put a few below...

VTF-3 V.S.STF-2, this is a BIG sub
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3865976078_c897abe356_b.jpg

Sub with glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3856971425_d149d01290_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/3856971617_6758e73d7a_b.jpg

Sub before glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3865976620_ddaf369c7f_b.jpg

Wow that's a big sub compared to the STF-2 (I have the STF-2). I was wondering, do you use both of them in the same setup or in different ones? If the same I was wondering how they blend?
________
Honda ns500 specifications (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_NS500)

[RossK]

Every time I see a thread with this title I have to reply! Since I am one of those people who own a VTF-3 MK3 and had a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the sub and think it makes it look great as an end table. The cost to have this done was $30, I keep a lamp on mine (different than the one pictured) as well as my laptop when it’s not in use. I have some think foam padding under the lamp, which I think it meant to keep objects from sliding on smooth surfaces and it keeps it from rattling. I have to take some updated pictures but I put a few below...

VTF-3 V.S.STF-2, this is a BIG sub
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3865976078_c897abe356_b.jpg

Sub with glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3856971425_d149d01290_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2498/3856971617_6758e73d7a_b.jpg

Sub before glass top
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3865976620_ddaf369c7f_b.jpg

Hey Matt,

Does anybody sit right next to the subwoofer on the sofa? If so, do they feel it is too much sitting there, or is it comparable to sitting anywhere in the room?

Thanks,

Ross

[Matt_Smi]

Wow that's a big sub compared to the STF-2 (I have the STF-2). I was wondering, do you use both of them in the same setup or in different ones? If the same I was wondering how they blend?

Hello, I actually sold my STF-2 to a good friend of mine when I got the VTF-3 so they are not used in the same setup. Funny thing is he is looking to upgrade soon and I think I am going to buy the sub back from him haha! Because I now have 2 setups and one lacks a subwoofer right now and I am really wishing I had my STF-2 back for that room.


Hey Matt,

Does anybody sit right next to the subwoofer on the sofa? If so, do they feel it is too much sitting there, or is it comparable to sitting anywhere in the room?

Thanks,

Ross

Hi Ross, Yes people including myself do sit on the couch, in fact besides that there is only one other chair (not counting my desk chair) but that chair is in the middle of the room and the bass response is very weak there so I do not like to sit there. I personally like having the sub near field but I also like bass and also like to run my sub a bit hot so I may not be the best person to ask about this. I will say however that when sitting there the bass is without a doubt more localizable than the front right corner of the room for example were the bass is also very strong yet there you have no idea where it is coming from. I would love to put the sub in that corner but my room does not permit me to. So where it is now is pretty much the best spot I have for it. Not sure if the pictures show it but it is in a corner as well.