STF-2 or VTF-2?

[Tominator]

I'm trying to decide between a STF-2 or a VTF-2 sub to go with the Ventriloquist VT-12 system.
What are the differences?

[tdekany]

one sub you can tune for max. extention or max. output. (vtf2)

the other is fixed (max extention) stf2

[Gregisme]

The terminology and descriptions used here on the Hsu site confuses me. (Seems counterintuitive at times). If I can hijack this thread for a moment and tell you what my preferences are, can someone tell me which of the two would be better for me?

First of all, I prefer the look of the STF over the VTF and would ideally want to go in that direction for appearance sake. I understand that there is less control with the STF, but maybe I wouldn't need that extra control based on my requirements.

As far as my sound preferences, I'm more concerned with music performance over home theater, with a ratio of 70% to 30%, music to movies.

I care more about sound quality and the ability to go as low as possible (understanding the limitations of these two subs, of course) AND as accurately as possible, than any desire to get maximum volume.

ok, given these preferences, which would be better for me? The STF or the VTF?

Hopefully, my inquiry will help the original thread starter too. :D

[Dudley]

STF

[Gregisme]

wait.. slow down there! too much information, too many words. :p You answered my question without answering my question, so to speak.

Let me elaborate.. here's the text that I find confusing, taken from this site:

If you enjoy music that is loud but does not have much deep bass, set the VTF series for max output. That way, you get maximum dynamic range with the lowest distortion.

How can "not much deep bass" then equate to "maximum dynamic range"? Aren't these mutually exclusive?

And then:

If you like music with deep bass, set it for maximum bass extension to reproduce the deep bass accurately. You can even switch between the two modes depending on what you play. That means effectively you get a subwoofer that can play loudly, and can play low, all in one, at one low price!

What I'm confused about here is that both units have volume control knobs, so both can play loudly, controllable my you. What's extra special about the VTF with a second control factor to "play loudly", above and beyond the volume control knobs that each sub has??

[Sorny]

What I'm confused about here is that both units have volume control knobs, so both can play loudly, controllable my you. What's extra special about the VTF with a second control factor to "play loudly", above and beyond the volume control knobs that each sub has??


The tuning frequency is variable on VTF subs, so when you plug a port and flip the switch, the sub will play lower; with both ports open, the sub plays less deep, but with more output even with the gain knob set the same.

Sorny

[Dudley]

Dynamic range refers to the difference between the quietest sound and the loudest. It has less to do with the frequency (of course some low frequencies can give you the volume - depending on the music you are listening to). So a speaker that can play louder will have more dynamic range.

Since you are not interested in maximum volume, then this increased dynamic range is less important to you then the ability to play lower frequencies. Playing lower frequencies gives you a wider frequency response range, which is what you want.

The reason the VTF can play louder (in max output mode) is that there is also a switch on the back that changes the eq slightly (when the plug is removed from one port) and allows more power to the woofer in the higher frequencies. This power might damage the woofer at the extreme lowest frequencies, so slightly less power is allowed when the woofer is in max extention mode.

Again - since max volume is not what you want (the STF will still get plenty loud), you prefer the look of the STF, and the STF is cheaper, it seems like the STF would be perfect for you.

[Gregisme]

Thanks, Dudley (and Sorney). Great explanation. Now I get it!

If I can still get loud with plenty of dynamic range on the STF, if not necessarily to the "but this one goes to 11" level, like the VTF would allow.. then, I would be happy with that. Don't think I need to be gambling with my hearing by pushing it to get that extra extra "oomph!", so to speak, of the VTF.

Final question then: What is the "typical" set-up for other well regarded subwoofers? Do they commonly have the VTF type controls or more often similar to the STF set-up?

[tdekany]

Originally posted by Gregisme
Thanks, Dudley (and Sorney). Great explanation. Now I get it!

If I can still get loud with plenty of dynamic range on the STF, if not necessarily to the "but this one goes to 11" level, like the VTF would allow.. then, I would be happy with that. Don't think I need to be gambling with my hearing by pushing it to get that extra extra "oomph!", so to speak, of the VTF.

Final question then: What is the "typical" set-up for other well regarded subwoofers? Do they commonly have the VTF type controls or more often similar to the STF set-up?

order the STF3 for $599.00 and get the max ext version.

You will get all that you will ever need. World class bass at a minimal cost.

[Dudley]

Most other subwoofers are not variable tunable like the VTF. That still does not mean they are tuned for maximum extention like an STF. More likely they are tuned for "punch" in the upper bass. This can make a subwoofer sound powerfull in the showroom, but does not provide much true deep bass. Even some well regarded subwoofers are guilty of this.

[Gregisme]

Dudley - yes, I've heard that before, now that you mention it (about the "sexier" bass to impress in a store). thanks again for the explanation.

tdekany - I've thought about getting the 3, but what it comes down to is I want something that I can easily lift and move around by myself, and that has a smaller footprint. That's a bigger priority, particularly when I haven't really ever had decent bass before, so I'm betting the 2 will thrill me for quite some time.

Maybe one day I'll go for a bigger sub, when and if I have a bigger place and am more settled down. For now, I'll settle for 'continent class' if not world class. :D

[tdekany]

Originally posted by Gregisme
Dudley - yes, I've heard that before, now that you mention it (about the "sexier" bass to impress in a store). thanks again for the explanation.

tdekany - I've thought about getting the 3, but what it comes down to is I want something that I can easily lift and move around by myself, and that has a smaller footprint. That's a bigger priority, particularly when I haven't really ever had decent bass before, so I'm betting the 2 will thrill me for quite some time.

Maybe one day I'll go for a bigger sub, when and if I have a bigger place and am more settled down. For now, I'll settle for 'continent class' if not world class. :D


STF2? WORLD CLASS SUB AS WELL.

I have one sitting in a corner in my apartment.

I have a test cd that was designed for car audio by car sound & performance. Playing track 8 on the cd, the STF2 puts out bass that is felt through out my apartment even at low volume.

The STF2 IS A BEAST!!!!

STF3 in not that heavy though.

[Gregisme]

when you say you can feel it all throughout the apartment at low volume, exactly how low is the volume being set too? Is there a level low enough (without turning it off) where you still get some higher frequency bass that you can hear, and substantially reduce the physical LFE stuff?

In other words, there's bass and then there's BASS!!!!! Can I lower it far enough to still get a little audible bass and without automatically getting the "neighbors pounding on the door wondering what the hell is going on in there with that rumbling!" type of bass.

[tdekany]

I will test it tonight by going outside my apartment but no, I don't think that your neighbors will feel it.

[Gregisme]

I reread your last post and forgot that you said you achieved such bass at low volume throughout the apt. from a particular track on the test cd. That being the case, I'm guessing you had a very low frequency going there, something that we won't encounter on a super regular basis.

Still, I'll be interested to see what your test reveals. thanks!

[young]

is the stf-2 going to receive any upgrades any time soon? like the vtf-2's mk2 status change?

based on this thread, the stf-2 sounds just fine for me. i was going to purchase the vtf-2 mk2, but if i can save some money, that's a good thing.

i was going to purchase a polk psw404 to match all my other polk speakers. but, the hsu and the svs subs seem to be getting all the good reviews.

[cschang]

is the stf-2 going to receive any upgrades any time soon? like the vtf-2's mk2 status change?


It is doubtful...the STF line is still fairly new.