STF-2 First Production Run Issues Addressed

[Sasha_G]

As of January 23rd, 2004 we are now shipping STF-2s that have first production run bugs addressed. These addressed issues include:

1) Air leak: A new procedure has eliminated air leaks. This issue was reported by ten or so users.

2) Volume knob: The volume knob has been recalibrated so that it does not have to be turned as high to get the same output level from the subwoofer. Customers perceive our subwoofers as being stronger when the volume knob is more sensitive, even though there is no improvement in performance. It just means the knob has to be turned less. The reason we lowered the volume knob sensitivity on the first production run was that some customers complained about the high sensitivity of the VTF-2 knob.

3) Dropped units not turning on: Internal cables and amplifier parts have been braced and strengthened to prevent a small cable coming loose when the subwoofer was dropped too hard in its box. This loose cable was causing some units to not turn on at first.

You've spoken, we've acted. Thanks for all the feedback.

[wjficken]

Thank you very much for this information, Sasha. Would you be able to provide us with the starting serial number for the units which have these issues addressed? Something like units with a serial number greater than XXXXX have the first production run issues addressed...

Thanks again for letting us know,
Wes

[smartbot]

Yes that would be very helpfull!

[cobalt]

Please fill us in. I am interested in returning one STF-2, and purchasing another. But I'd rather not do either until I'm sure I'm not getting another possibly defective unit. Is it too much to ask for serial numbers of the second and subsequent run units?

Thanks.

[daMaster]

Sasha_G, please provide us with the serial #s that were affected with these issues. I purchased my STF-2 at a CompUSA in Los Angeles. I recently compared my STF-2 with a Dayton 10" down-firing subwoofer that sells for $125 US and was rather disappointed with the results. The HSU had a hard time outperforming the Dayton, because as I turned its gain up higher I was getting more and more port distortion. Eventually I determined that the STF-2 has tighter, cleaner bass than the Dayton, but it was tough competition. I'm very concerned that I may have gotten an STF-2 with an air leak, or some other issue.

[Dudley]

Is that $125 for the cabinet and amp as well, or just the price of the woofer?

[daMaster]

Dudley, that's $125 US for a ready-made subwoofer. Its only available at partsexpress.com.

Back to the original reason for this thread: Sasha+G, any serial numbers available? I truly think my STF-2 is suffering from the air leak problem. How can I be certain if you can't provide a serial # range? Please let me know, because I wouldn't want to ship this thing out if it doesn't have any problems.

[Retread]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sasha_G
[B]Volume knob: The volume knob has been recalibrated so that it does not have to be turned as high to get the same output level from the subwoofer.

This reminds me of a scene in the movie "Spinal Tap." The band is buying amps, and the salesman is trying to explain why one is better than the other. His explanation is that the volume knob on one goes to 12 and only to 10 on the other. Hilarious movie. The Stonehenge section is priceless.

[tdekany]

Originally posted by daMaster
Dudley, that's $125 US for a ready-made subwoofer. Its only available at partsexpress.com.

Back to the original reason for this thread: Sasha+G, any serial numbers available? I truly think my STF-2 is suffering from the air leak problem. How can I be certain if you can't provide a serial # range? Please let me know, because I wouldn't want to ship this thing out if it doesn't have any problems.

Assuming that you have it setup correctly and you are not amazed - there is something wrong with the sub.

[boomer]

I, too, am an early-adopter who purchased one of the first STF-2s. I would like to know the serial numbers affected, and the test / symptoms, for the "air leak" defect.

It is refreshing to know that Hsu has fixed the defects in later production runs. What about the rest of us?

[dkwong]

Sasha has said that these will be handled by phone. This is a quote from one of his earlier posts in another thread:

I know a few of you have been asking for serial numbers of units that may have this issue fixed. However, our policy is going to be to handle this issue by phone.

If you think you have this issue, give us a call and we'll find a solution. If you got it at CompUSA, swap it for a new one. I think this is fair.

[boomer]

Thx. I will call when I get home. But meanwhile, for everyone's benefit on the forum, could someone define and explain the "air leak" defect here?

I do not want to look for problems where none exist, but I do want to know how to test for the existence of the defect. As I understand the prior posts, the "air leak" problem is somewhat subtle.

The only diagnostic procedure I have gleaned from these posts is that you should play "Finding Nemo" and see if Darla doesn't sound quite right. Well, I don't know what an animated fish is supposed to sound like!

[Newbie 13]

Darla is the holy terror little girl. The scene being referenced is when Darla "taps" on the fish tank.

[Retread]

Originally posted by Newbie 13
Darla is the holy terror little girl. The scene being referenced is when Darla "taps" on the fish tank.

one still does not know what it is supposed to sound like. My Darla "sounds good" to me, but I don't know what it should sound like to the fish in the tank.

[Lwang]

Originally posted by Retread
one still does not know what it is supposed to sound like. My Darla "sounds good" to me, but I don't know what it should sound like to the fish in the tank.

To boomer, it should sound good, since that scene really booms.

[boomer]

Originally posted by Lwang
To boomer, it should sound good, since that scene really booms. Fish, fowl or little girl, my point is that this is not a very definitive test procedure. Can anyone explain the "air leak" symptoms with specificity?

[Newbie 13]

Originally posted by boomer
Fish, fowl or little girl, my point is that this is not a very definitive test procedure. Can anyone explain the "air leak" symptoms with specificity?

Oops, I think it is that you can hear/feel air escaping from around the driver if it isn't sealed properly.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this.