STF-2 extremely cheap power cord

[Chicago Dan]

** Disclaimer: I'm not bashing HSU, I'm just concerned **

I got a nice surprise late last week when I came home from school and found my HSU sub sitting in my living room (for some reason, I never got a shipping confirmation so the sub was delivered unexpectedly... off topic though). I quickly removed my old Dayton sub and swapped in the HSU. I've been loving it ever since (and I sold my Dayton for $100 online, woohoo).

However, one thing has been bugging me. The detachable power cord that came with the sub is one of the cheapest I've EVER seen. I'm not talking the cheapest subwoofer power cable... the cheapest ANY KIND of power cable. The power cord for my TV, computer, LCD monitor, VCR, heck even my computer printer are all more impressive (in varying degrees) than the STF-2's. For a $400 sub, I was expecting something with better build quality.

The power cable I received was very thin and flat (as opposed to round like those for computer equipment) and had a very cheap, hollow plastic feel at either end. It's almost like the power cords that would come with chintzy knock-off toys that your strange aunt/uncle would buy from flea markets. And if the cheap "feel" wasn't enough, mine doesn't seem to fit the subwoofer as snuggly as I would like. It has some wiggle room and can be pulled out with only minimal effort. I work in IT, so I've worked with plenty of standard-issue computer power cords, and every-last-one has been sturdier than the one I got with my sub.

** Once again I want to reiterate that I'm not bashing HSU. I LOVE the sound of my new sub and you couldn't take it away from me unless you pried it from my dead fingers (too gruesome? how about... unconscious body :D) **

So, a few questions:

1) Is this the standard "normal" power cable that comes with all STF-2's?
2) Why did HSU decide not to have a ground for the power cable?
3) Can I buy a sturdier replacement somewhere (Ratshack, BB, CC, online?)?

[xcjago]

I really don't think it matters. My VTF-3 HO also has the flat power cord, probably the same as yours, and it works just fine. Have you ever done any testing or measurements on various power cords to see if it actually makes any difference?

[Chicago Dan]

xcjago,

I'm not necessarily convinced that expensive "audiophile power cables" provide any kind of sonic benefit, but I do firmly believe that if an AC cable was poorly made, it would impact SQ.

I'm not looking for something like THIS (http://shunyata.com/Images/Insets/AnacondaHelix-Lg.jpg) LoL!!. I just want a power cable that matches the solid build quality of the subwoofer.

[Liaury]

...I'm not looking for something like THIS (http://shunyata.com/Images/Insets/AnacondaHelix-Lg.jpg) LoL!!. I just want a power cable that matches the solid build quality of the subwoofer.
I'm adding that cable to my 3.3 ;)

I also thought the cable that came with my 3.3 was a little weak...but my faith is that HSU wouldn't let a $2 item compromise their design.

I probably over estimated on the cost of the cable.

[amdeutsch]

Some of it is marketing. Cut open those so called high $ cables and then cut open the sub cable. Compare the diameter of the actual wire inside. All you are doing is delivering power.

[jephdood]

Well.. and properly shielding it..

[Ddavidson]

The power cable I received was very thin and flat (as opposed to round like those for computer equipment) and had a very cheap, hollow plastic feel at either end. It's almost like the power cords that would come with chintzy knock-off toys that your strange aunt/uncle would buy from flea markets.

1) Is this the standard "normal" power cable that comes with all STF-2's?
2) Why did HSU decide not to have a ground for the power cable?
3) Can I buy a sturdier replacement somewhere (Ratshack, BB, CC, online?)?

The outer sheath size has no relevance to its capability to deliver enough power over the length of the cord. Of course a shielded sheath can be an advantage if your suffering from EM/RF interference, but the actual copper gage Hsu chose to supply is correct for the power draw. Many like a thinner sheath (over a bulky one) for behind shelves and under carpet etc.

Ddavidson

[Stan]

You can buy a nicer to touch and handle power cord at Ratshack, or Walmart, or the local hardware store, or online. But it won't work any better than the existing cord. The sound or output won't change.

[Chicago Dan]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I know that Dr. Hsu knows what he's doing and I'm sure that he did the math / electrical analysis of the cable to be sure that the amp wasn't under-powered.

Motive:
But, for my own aesthetics-and-upgraditis-driven piece of mind, I would like to upgrade the power cord.

Let's play make believe:
Ok, now, just for the sake of argument, I ask you all to pretend that you're a person who believes that perhaps by upgrading the cord you *might* get some sort of *slight* benefit in sound quality. If you were such an individual that was so inclined, what sub-$30 power cord would you invest in to achieve this minute sonic benefit?

Phew. Speaking in hypotheticals is tough. :p

[Liaury]

Here is an option from Monoprice.com

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022801&p_id=1295&seq=1&format=2&style=

[corypollock]

Many like a thinner sheath (over a bulky one) for behind shelves and under carpet etc.

Ddavidson

yup, i like my flat cable. i have enough headache with all the other un-necessary 00 cable behind my entertainment center.

[davenlei]

Power lines are like chains. They are only as strong as the weakest link. If you look at the power wires in you walls at the back of your outlet and at the junction box, many times you will see that they are not connected to the outlet, etc. very well at all (if even correctly). So that would actually be the weakest part of your power 'chain' and not the cable.

[Stan]

After all the thousands and thousands of feet and numerous connections, swithches and transformers between your AC outlet and the power plant, I don't see how a few feet of fancy wire near the end is going to improve things.

BUT.

If you do want a nicer than average power cord, and for not much money, look to the hospital-grade stuff. It is readily available.

Stan / sjmarcy

[Macfan424]

2) Why did HSU decide not to have a ground for the power cable?

No one seems to have addressed this one. Besides saving a few cents, Hsu probably avoided some ground loop problems by not using a grounded cable. Usually one of the first things advised to people afflicted with a mysteriously humming sub is that they by-pass the ground.

As for the cord itself, as several others have said, the original is certainly more than adequate to do its job. I would assume yours is similar to the one that came with my STF-1, which is at least equal to that furnished by other appliances with equal power requirements, and better than many. But if you want something that has a nicer "feel," the Monoprice power cord someone mentioned will do the trick at low cost (I use one with my computer monitor).