Impact of MK2 Changes?

[Rick Hilst]

It is called the VTF-3 MK2 because it will have several upgrades, including a:
a. 350 Watt Bash amp instead of a 250 watt class A/B
b. real piano black finish that takes a week to make, instead of a painted finish,
c. cost of $799 factory direct, instead of $849
d. metal spiked feet instead of plastic feet
e. plexiglass logo that lights up when the subwoofer is on, instead of removable logo
f. the porting tuning is the same, it is just the spec that got more conservative.

Can anyone summarize the impact of these changes (different amp, metal spiked feet)?

I also read somewhere that the MK2 would be down firing (rather than forward firing). What are the advantages of down firing versus forward firing?

[Michael Bain]

With the new amp, dynamic headroom will be a bit higher. In other words, it will be slightly more at ease at very high SPL levels. Differences in actual sound quality are not clear at this time, but Dr. Hsu is quite a perfectionist so I expect good things in the sound quality department.

Downfiring vs frontfiring is somewhat of a minor difference. Dr. Hsu feels that downfiring is slightly less directional and works a tad better for nearfield listening.

Metal feet vs plastic feet is more about build quality than anything else. The metal feet should be a bit sturdier.

What is also appealing is the piano black gloss finish, and of course the better price.

[cschang]

Hey Rick!

I'm just glad to see you post something somewhere!

[Rick Hilst]

Curtis (CurtisSC?),

My last set of postings (in hometheaterforum) left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I debated whether I ever wanted to join in again in any of these forums.

However, curiosity got the best of me. The set of changes being made for the MK2 seemed significant to me and I was curious as to the impact of, and basis for, those changes.

On a different note, the delay until Dec 21 (for the VTF-3 MK2) is not good for me. We have out-of-town company coming over Christmas and I really wanted to have my HT system completely finished by then.

[Michael Bain]

My last set of postings (in hometheaterforum) left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I debated whether I ever wanted to join in again in any of these forums.

Don't let a couple of svs fanatics with a hidden agenda get you down over there. They do not own the place, and as long as you do not break any forum rules and as long as you do not throw any blatant verbal attacks, you are free to speak your mind. If anything Edward J M at that forum should have been warned by the moderators about attacking your character and using inappropriate language. That guy knows little of substance about Hsu Research anyway, and yet he constantly goes out of his way to convince people otherwise. Definitely some devious agenda on his part.

This statement that you made above is almost like Deja-vu. Barey Barnes left all the forums for almost the exact same reason, which is unfortunate because few were able to learn from his experiences about the superior sound quality of Hsu in comparison to svs, in addition to the much more humble nature of Hsu Research in comparison to svs.

Stick with the facts and debate in a non-emotional manner and you will be fine on any of these forums.

[cschang]

Originally posted by Rick Hilst
Curtis (CurtisSC?)

Yup...one in the same!

Regardless of what has happenned...very happy it did not keep you away.

[BradJudy]

Those updates make the VTF-3 sound like a very attractive product, not that it wasn't already. If Hsu had a trade-in program for the VTF-2 I might be in trouble. :)

Would I be correct in guessing that the new glossy black cabinet is being made by Mark Schifter? If so, should I expect it looks like the glossy black he uses for the Ref series (just for comparison since I've seen the black Ref2).

[Ddavidson]

My last set of postings (in hometheaterforum) left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I debated whether I ever wanted to join in again in any of these forums.

You would swear audio subjectivity issues where a life or death issue with some people on these forums. It is just a pastime, and at best a very optional luxury hobby. It is actually meant to be enjoyable.

You have to wonder if some people are not a little too anal retentive over what are often very subjective issues. The new VTF-3 MK2 looks like it will offer more polish on what is already one of the best cubed subwoofers I have ever owned (VTF-3).

What is also appealing is the piano black gloss finish, and of course the better price.
Let us not forget to mention however that although the VTF-3 MK2 is lower at the moment (if you buy direct) the actual retail price has gone up from $849 to $999. The old VTF-3 was often selling at Hsu at even lower pricing.


Ddavidson

[Michael Bain]

Let us not forget to mention however that although the VTF-3 MK2 is lower at the moment (if you buy direct) the actual retail price has gone up from $849 to $999. The old VTF-3 was often selling at Hsu at even lower pricing.

Most of the people who come to this forum are interested in buying factory direct, and that is where the price has been reduced. Suggested retail price is another issue altogether, and it is not comparable to the old price of $849. This is a convention used in retail stores, and the price has to be higher at the retail stores because of the extra associated costs involved with a retail dealer. The suggested retail price is also not a price that is generally set in stone, usually dealers are willing to negotiate a bit. People also tend to feel good when they can get some type of discount below suggested retail price when they go to their local dealer, so that could be another reason for higher suggested retail prices.