STF-2 First Impressions

[Dudley]

Well I did it! Now have a new (b-stock) stf-2 hooked up. Thanks for the comments from some of the members here that helped me choose. Some of my first impressions!

I have no issue with the auto–on feature. It comes on exactly when it should, there are no spurious noises, no pops, no humming, and it has never turned off while I have been listening to something. I am using a low grade 25’ Radio Shack subwoofer cable that was $3.00 (store was going out of business) and the sound is wonderfull.

I cannot detect any unwanted noises – even during the infamous Darla scene. In fact I am very impressed by how quiet the sub is during extreme low frequencies (that can’t be heard by my old ears). Many subs I auditioned had output down low, but instead of that barely audible, but very palpable rumble that should be produced, they rattled and buzzed and thumped away.

It does not bother me, because the sub is behind my listening position in a corner, but if I walk into the room and the lights are off, I can see a red glow washing the wall behind the sub. The LED is bright. Now I really understand the thread about the light on the MK II’s.

I took my SPL meter when I was testing subs at stores (I know it is hard to compare because of different sized rooms and placement – but it was a starting point) and can say that the $1,200 velodyne is down 10 more dB than the STF-2 at 25 Hz. Of the dozen or so subs I measured none went as deep as the HSU, and only the velodyne was as clean.

I have a 10 dB peak at 50 Hz and a 6 dB trough at 70 Hz. – I will move the sub some to see if I can tame this.

The output at 80 Hz is the same as it is at 25 Hz, then drops 8 dB by 20 Hz.

Volume is plenty loud. Played Zarathustra (opening music from 2001 a space Odyssey) and the drums had the usual thwack that my mains could deliver, but the pipe organ that plays in the background (or I used to think it was in the background) was literally shaking the couch that I was on. I have my Onkyo 600 set at +6 for the subwoofer, and the volume is on the second mark out of 5 (about 10:30). Has no problem keeping up with my BP-8’s in volume so far.

I like the fit and finish. Very professional and the flat black does not call attention to itself – for those that are trying to hide it. I really cannot stand the black ash vinyl many subs use – plastic trying to be wood that is trying to be black.

Will post more once it is fully broken in and well positioned.

[Sasha_G]

For a more even bass response, try the subwoofer walking technique. Place the sub in the listening seat and walk to the possible subwoofer locations with your SPL meter. The place with the most even bass is where to put the subwoofer.

[DavidD]

Glad you like it, Dudley. Congratulations.

Do try to move it around a bit, or use Sasha's suggestion. I've never done that, but many people say it works very well. Did you balance the output relative to your other speakers with a meter?

[Dudley]

I had read about the walking technique on this forum - I do think I will try it, thanks for the reminder. Only problem is I am a little limited in placement. I have one corner up front and to the right of the TV, and one corner that is also on the right, and is behind one couch and beside another.

As the behind the couch listening position is generaly favored, I am hoping that I can move the sub around in that corner to flatten the response some. Right now the sub is bisecting the angle of the corner - with the port pointing right at the corner. Maybe placing it beside one wall or the other will make a diference. I will experiment. This is much fun - or course my wife thinks I am a little crazy.

Thanks for the responses Sasha and DavidD!

Oh - yes I did balance it. I have it set to flat according the Radio Shack meter, so I am about 3 dB hot.

[Dudley]

One more thing Sasha. Is there any amount of time I should allow for break in? If there is, then how long, and at about what volume. I don't want to fine tune everything only to have the sound change some.

Thanks.

[Dudley]

I see my question was answered in the FAQ area. Looks like 2-3 movies at normal volume is the answer. I will be there soon, and will recalibrate/reposition. I may try the walking thing as well.

[rdwarn]

Dudley, how much did you pay for a B-stock STF-2. I didn't realize B-stock were available. I bought B-stock Axiom M60Ti's for my main speakers a few months ago and they have blown me away.

[cschang]

rdwarn,

You can read about "b" stock here:
http://www.hsuresearch.com/support/index.php?id=30

It state that USUALLY, "b" stock is sold at 20% off of retail.

[Dudley]

B-stock is $320. I think 20% off is pretty standard for HSU. The value is hard to beat, plus you have a sub that has been gone over and tested right in the HSU facility (I doubt they ship them back to China for repairs).

Cosmetically I can't see anything wrong with the sub, though the box looked a little worse for wear - maybe it was reused.

As far as availability goes, it took 2 months for one to become available. This begs the question - If so many STF-2's were having problems, then why were they not returned to HSU? Sounds like Sasha was right when he said the problems only effected a few subs.

BTW I have shifted my sub slightly, but still have a hump at 50 hz. It is tough finding time to calibrate when I wont be bothering someone.

Looks like I gotta type faster - cschang beat me to it.

[Michael Bain]

My apologies about changing the subject, but Curtis, what exactly is showing in your avatar?

EDITED: Upon closer look, I see you have taken a photo of the VTF-3 port, from the initial make of the VTF-3. Cool!

[cschang]

hehehe..... :D

[Dudley]

Well, it has been several weeks since I set up the STF-2, and I continue to be impressed. I keep discovering bass in movies that I did not know existed. I found a location that flattens the frequency response, but at the expense of some of the deepest stuff, so I will keep experimenting. I really have not had much time to set up (and have not tried the subwoofer walking yet) as this requires an empty house with nobody to be disturbed by a barrage of test tones.

During my measurements I have discovered that a few inches can make a large difference with bass. I was running some tones, and heard one that was suddenly louder, but my meter (that was held by my chest) only jumped a few dB. I moved the meter less than a foot to my ears and it jumped 10 dB. I then moved it back further to the wall behind me and there was a river of bass that was another 8 dB higher. This was scary loud stuff that seemed like it would peg my spl meter if I turned things up (I did not enter the "cone of bass" - just placed my meter).