Looking At HB-1/HC-1/VFT-3 MK-3 system

[mitchman]

Now that we have a new Pioneer KURO PRO-110FD plasma and a new Denon AVR-3803CI receiver we quickly realized that our 12 year old KLH (Costco specials!) are lacking. We've heard nothing but good things about HSU so we're looking to pull the plug on a 5.1 setup (not ready for 7.1 quite yet).

My question is, our room is 2200 square feet. We're replacing a old JBL sub with a 12-inch woofer (one of the first consumer powered subs ever made!). We want some really good bass response from our sub, but we're worried we're not going to have enough room for the VTF-3 MK-2. Here's a diagram of our current setup. NOTE: We're probably going to swap the front LEFT speaker with our equipment rack to get things more symmetrical with our seating position.

http://webpages.charter.net/mitchlewis/with-current-sub.gif

And here's the same diagram with the HSU sub in position.

http://webpages.charter.net/mitchlewis/with-hsu-sub.gif

Any other thoughts? Ideas? We're planning to order from HSU next week!

[Pete_Hsu]

Welcome Mitch!

Sounds like you have an awesome TV, congrats!

Would it be possible for you to place the -3 Mk3 in the rear left hand corner? It should easily fit there.

Sincerely,

[mitchman]

Yes it would fit there, but it would mean that we would have to run the sub wire up and over the fireplace (like we have already done with the LR/RR speaker cables......and the little plastic "panduit" is already full of cables, we'd have to buy larger panduit to get it to fit....not sure if I could sell the wife on that!)

Thanks for the suggestion though! :)

The real tough decision for me (I haven't discussed it with her yet!) is between the:

VTF-2 MK-3
VTF-3 MK-3
VTF-3 MK-3 w/Turbo Charger (I've have to get an automotive "Turbo" emblem to stick on it!)

I want to make sure we have PLENTY of bass when we turn it up. Here's some goals that we want to hit:

1. The sub turns on/off even when the bass material isn't that loud. There's nothing worse than watching a movie at a normal listening level and having to hear the sub turning on/off throughout the movie.

2. Plenty of controlled bass. Heck, when we use the Denon Audessy auto setup with our current JBL Sub (I think it's broken) it sounds like someone hitting a broken cardboard box instead of a nice controlled thump.

3. Remote control. It would be nice if we could easily change the volume of the sub from the comfort of our listening position. Maybe there's a add-on device we can put inline between the receiver and the sub?

4. Good value. I don't want to waste money buying a sub that is totally overkill for the size of our room. (heck, we've still got Christmas presents to buy!) That's why I'm fretting over which VTF model to buy.

[cacihome]

1. The sub turns on/off even when the bass material isn't that loud. There's nothing worse than watching a movie at a normal listening level and having to hear the sub turning on/off throughout the movie.

THe HSU's never turn off...

2. Plenty of controlled bass. Heck, when we use the Denon Audessy auto setup with our current JBL Sub (I think it's broken) it sounds like someone hitting a broken cardboard box instead of a nice controlled thump.

The HSU's are very musical...


3. Remote control. It would be nice if we could easily change the volume of the sub from the comfort of our listening position. Maybe there's a add-on device we can put inline between the receiver and the sub?

MMMM.... don't know....jeje

4. Good value. I don't want to waste money buying a sub that is totally overkill for the size of our room. (heck, we've still got Christmas presents to buy!) That's why I'm fretting over which VTF model to buy.

Well buy the 3.3, since it is on special price!!!! You will get lower distortion ... if you dont want to listen too loud...

[mitchman]

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah, I'm leaning toward the VTF-3 MK-3 (3.3.....took me a second to understand what you meant by 3.3). I can always upgrade to the turbo later I guess.

So is there any negatives with leaving the unit on all the time? Should I worry about it burning the house down? (kind of joking with that one)

[Pete_Hsu]

Mitch, the VTF-3 Mk3 in max output mode should do a nice job. Just make sure to give the woofer at least 1-2" of space in between the wall/surface next to it, and the rear-firing ports at least 3-4" of space.

Thanks

[mitchman]

Thanks Pete!

So the side firing woofer should face AWAY from the wall and not fire INTO the wall.....right? Or is it more important to have the ports facing forwared like the turbo version?

[grantxyz]

Hey Mitch, nice drawing.

I'm guessing there are reasons not to, but have you ever considered rotating your plan 90 degrees clockwise (putting the TV on the right wall and the seats on either side of the fireplace)? I'm guessing you like it as it is (or more importantly your wife does) but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Regarding the Sub. I have the VTF-3 MK2 and I doubt you are going to lack for bass. I guess this depends on your ears, but if you're looking for a true sound from your movies and not just a loud rumble you'll be more than pleased.

I'm a little surprised about some of the posts on here and some people's quest for the ultimate bass that will vibrate them off their couch. I think to myself that if I had the bass that loud the treble would be killing me.

The thing that I truly appreciate with the HSU is how seamlessly it integrates with the other speakers and disappears. There's nothing worse than hearing this artificial BOOM BOOM with movies. I don't ever want to think MAN THAT SUB REALLY BANGS!!!

Before we moved we had our system in a finished LL of 1600 sq.ft. with no door on the stairway and an open floor plan upstairs. The quantity of air I had to push was ENORMOUS. I use a Pioneer VSX-816 receiver and using it's Automatic Setup feature with microphone I had to turn my VTF-MK2 down to a little over the first mark (about 1/5 of max) and this in Max Extension (not max output) mode w/1 port plugged.

Like this the bass was perfect. Just for fun I'd turn it off and on during movies and only THEN could you really hear everything it was doing. To me this is a good sub. So If your tastes tend towards bass that will blow the clothes off someone (The Italian Job??) you might wanna go with a couple of these guys w/Turbos, but I have a feeling that if you got a VTF-3 you'll be really excited and completely satisfied. If your receiver doesn't have a calibration tool on it I'd suggest getting an analog sound meter and setting things up that way. A lot of people have their bass cranked way high and it really detracts from the experience--imagine watching a movie with the Red cranked way up...

As far as adjusting with a remote goes, I think if you get a HSU and calibrate your system you won't have to make any adjustments. There are some soundtracks that aren't recorded/mixed as well as others, but for the most part you should be able to set it and forget it. I don't think you'll ever hear it turning on and off as you described with your current setup--as I said before it's seamless. And I'm not sure about the MK3, but the MK2 has an Auto option in addition to On and Off so it hibernates when you're not using it.. hope that helps.

[mitchman]

Wow! Great post! Thanks! Exactly the kind of down to earth, real-world experience I was looking for.

Sounds like either the VTF-2 or VTF-3 would work! (they don't make the VTF-3 MK-2 anymore).

One response to what you said. Our current sub is supposed to automatically turn on/off, but I think that's part of what's broken on it. It seems to make a difference with how sensitive it is depending on what the level is set to....I don't think it's supposed to work that way.

I'm hoping that the VTF-3 MK-3 is just ALWAYS on and we won't ever hear the pop of it turning on throughout the movie. (sounds like this won't ever be a problem with any of the HSU subs.....sorry if I keep dwelling on this, I just want to make sure everyone understands what's happening)

Thanks for a great reply!

[cacihome]

Well, the 2.3 or 3.3 will be excellent for your space, I think. But the 3.3 is on sale right now...When you reach x amount of volume the 3.3 will make it more effortesly. That is why i said that with the 3.3 you will have lower distortion with the same output volume that with the 2.3.

In the other hand when you want to crank it up, in the future you never know, or you move to another house, or move to another room, or construct a new room, whatever happens; you will not have to buy a new sub because the 3.3 is much more future proof than the 2.3 in regards to the space that it can pressurize.

I just think that the 3.3 is vastly superior than the 2.3 and for $129...it is a no brainer...It really has tremendous amount of good sq bass!!!!

After all, in movies you will need this extra SPL fuel!!!

[Pete_Hsu]

Good morning Mitch,

Thanks Pete!

So the side firing woofer should face AWAY from the wall and not fire INTO the wall.....right? Or is it more important to have the ports facing forwared like the turbo version?

It's ok to have the woofer firing into the wall as long as there is at least 1-2" of spacing in between. I would experiment with different orientations to see what works best for you...

Sincerely,