Will the STF-2 be big enough??

[gary]

I am looking at the STF-2 for my HT setup (I will be using bookshelf speakers for mains). The set-up is in my basement which is approximatelty 20x25, however there are several "bump outs" into the room that house 2 closets and furnace and sump pump room, so the actual floor space would be less than 20x25. The seating area is approximately 10 feet from the TV and L/C/R and the sub. The surrounds are approximately 8 feet to the sides of the main listening position and the rear surround is about 4 feet back (as this is where one of the bump outs is).

While bigger would be better, would the STF-2 do the trick? I am not looking to shake the house down. I have a small Aiwa sub now, so anything will be an improvement.

I hate to have buyurs remorse but also looking to save a couple of bucks if I can. Based on other comments I have read, for my use, the VTF-2 would not be worth the upgrade as that is more features than power per say.

I also looked at the low end cylinder sub from SVS but that is $150 more than the STF-2.

Any thoughts would be great from STF-2 owners.

[Michael Bain]

For $425 shipped to your door, the STF-2 fits the bill for it's combination of size, power, and extension for the price.

It would be worthwhile getting a recommendation from the top. See the home page recommendation form.

How much flexibility do you have in placement? If you can keep the subwoofer in the near field, you will feel more direct impact from the sub.

[Dudley]

If you are not looking to rock the house the STF-2 will fit the bill nicely. Of course it will probably still be able to rock the house - just not as much as an STF-3.

It will be a massive improvement over your old sub.

My STF-2 plays loud and deep without any anoying port noise, or other audible distortion. My room is a little smaller than yours, but it is very open to the rest of the house and has 9.5' ceilings. To be honest - there is no way I could watch an entire movie with my system turned all the way up. It would just be too loud. The extra volume is nice for demonstrating the system, and for general playing around, but as far as listening to a movie at sane (though still very loud) levels, even the STF-2 is a little bit of over kill for me.

Of course I still have thoughts of eventually upgrading, but that is just the nature of the game.

[Sasha_G]

I don't want you to have buyer's remorse also, so I must be honest. Your room is a bit too big for the STF-2 or VTF-2, according to our room recommendation standards. I would recommend the STF-3.

This is not necessarily the final word on the subject. You might be able to get away with 10 inch woofer (STF-2, VTF-2), as long as you follow proper room placement procedure. You can use the room's sound reflections to boost the sound pressure level by placing the subwoofer in a corner close to the listener and far away from room openings. Also avoid sitting in the middle of the room, because there is a huge "bass void" away from sound reflecting surfaces.

One of our ten inch subwoofers would be a step up from "normal" subwoofers, and as long as you don't need very hard hitting bass you will be fine in your room.

Remember, room acoustics are important. The bigger the room, the bigger the subwoofer. :D That's why they don't power rock concerts with tiny bass modules.

[gary]

Sasha, thanks for the response. Unfortunately the sitting area is in the middle of the room. I do have a question for you, though. While the sub will not be in the corner of the room, it will sit in front of a wood wall and will be cornered agaisnt a large, 12 foot wooden base unit that holds all my gear. This base unit is 20 inches off the ground and as a depth of 23 inches from the wall. So in a way it will, or can be "cornered" I guess, would this help the sound at all?

Also, in general, should a sub be close to a couch? I have a choice of putting the sub on either side of my wooden base unit. The right side has no furniture and is approximately 8-9 feet from the right wall (this area is a little more open and has the stairs leading up. If I put it on the left side, it will be approximately 5 feet from the left wall, but that wall has a couch against it. So the sub would have a wall in back, the wooden base unit to one side and a couch 1-2 feet to the other side and then the front of the sub, open to the room. Hope this makes sense, thanks.

[gary]

Sasha, thanks for the response. Unfortunately the sitting area is in the middle of the room. I do have a question for you, though. While the sub will not be in the corner of the room, it will sit in front of a wood wall and will be cornered agaisnt a large, 12 foot wooden base unit that holds all my gear. This base unit is 20 inches off the ground and as a depth of 23 inches from the wall. So in a way it will, or can be "cornered" I guess, would this help the sound at all?

Also, in general, should a sub be close to a couch? I have a choice of putting the sub on either side of my wooden base unit. The right side has no furniture and is approximately 8-9 feet from the right wall (this area is a little more open and has the stairs leading up. If I put it on the left side, it will be approximately 5 feet from the left wall, but that wall has a couch against it. So the sub would have a wall in back, the wooden base unit to one side and a couch 1-2 feet to the other side and then the front of the sub, open to the room. Hope this makes sense, thanks.