New VTF-1 Owner Here

[Louisville S]

I want to first say thanks to HSU for providing a speedy delivery of my VTF-1. So far I've enjoyed it immensely. This replaced my Onkyo home theater in a box subwoofer (the one that came with the Onkyo HT-SR800) so I noticed a difference right away. Do subwoofers usually require a break in period?

I left everything on the back of the subwoofer as is except the volume which is set to the second notch from the "min" position so I'd say it's around 35 to 40%. My room is about 12' x 14' x 8'. I am using Polk Monitor 70s as my fronts and a CS2 as my center. Everything in my Onkyo is set to 80hz. I have yet to run Audyssey, but I hear it if done properly can produce good results. I don't have an SPL meter, but is it really necessary? Would you recommend purchasing one? My receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR705.

I've attached a picture below. I heard raising the subwoofer may produce better results. So far it's pretty good. I know my left speaker is a little far away, but I listen from my bed as well as my desk. When I listen from my bed the left and right speakers are almost the same distance from me.

Any tweaks I should make in my receiver or on the back of the subwoofer? Recommendations and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rottman]

I get the impression you are questioning if this sub is large enough for you.

[Louisville S]

Well it certainly feels large enough from all the movies and music I've sampled since it was delivered. I am just at that "tweaking phase" right now. I want to make some adjustments but don't know where to start.

[kinggimp]

Are you running it in maximum extension or maximum output?

[Louisville S]

Maximum extension I believe. I have one port plugged.

Extension is the one that requires one port plugged correct?

[kinggimp]

Originally Posted by Louisville S

Maximum extension I believe. I have one port plugged.

Extension is the one that requires one port plugged correct?

yup 1 port pluged and bass extension switch set to 1 port open for maximum extension.

[Louisville S]

So I ran Audyssey after work today. I placed the microphone on a tripod and ran the test in three different listening positions at ear level.

Subwoofer Settings (behind subwoofer):

Power = On.
Crossover = Out.
Crossover frequency = 90 hz.
Bass extension = 1 port open.
Phase = 0.
Volume = A little past the second notch from "min."

Before Audyssey:

Speaker config:

Subwoofer = Yes.
Front = 80 hz.
Center = 80 hz.
Surround = 80 hz.
Surr Back = 80 hz.
Surr Back Ch = 2ch.
LPF of LFE = 80 hz.
Double Bass = Off.

Speaker Distance:

Left = 7.0 ft.
Center = 6.5 ft.
Right = 6.5 ft.
Surr Right = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back R = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back L = 5.5 ft.
Surr Left = 5.5 ft.
Subwoofer = 8.0 ft.

Level Calibration:

Left = 0 dB.
Center = +3 dB.
Right = 0 dB.
Surr Right = +2 dB.
Surr Back R = +6 dB.
Surr Back L = +6 dB.
Surr Left = +2 dB.
Subwoofer = 0 dB.

After Audyssey:

Speaker config:

Subwoofer = Yes.
Front = Full Band.
Center = Full Band.
Surround = 120 hz.
Surr Back = 150 hz.
Surr Back Ch = 2ch.
LPF of LFE = 80 hz.
Double Bass = Off.

Speaker Distance:

Left = 6.0 ft.
Center = 7.0 ft.
Right = 6.0 ft.
Surr Right = 6.5 ft.
Surr Back R = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back L = 5.5 ft.
Surr Left = 5.5 ft.
Subwoofer = 8.0 ft.

Level Calibration:

Left = -5 dB.
Center = -9 dB.
Right = -6 dB.
Surr Right = -7 dB.
Surr Back R = -2 dB.
Surr Back L = 0 dB.
Surr Left = -7 dB.
Subwoofer = -7 dB.




So far it sound pretty good. I popped in Diana Krall's concert Blu-ray and now I crank it to -1 on my Onkyo 705 instead of -17.

Hmmm.

[cacihome]

Originally Posted by Louisville S

So I ran Audyssey after work today. I placed the microphone on a tripod and ran the test in three different listening positions at ear level.

Subwoofer Settings (behind subwoofer):

Power = On.
Crossover = Out.
Crossover frequency = 90 hz.
Bass extension = 1 port open.
Phase = 0.
Volume = A little past the second notch from "min."

Before Audyssey:

Speaker config:

Subwoofer = Yes.
Front = 80 hz.
Center = 80 hz.
Surround = 80 hz.
Surr Back = 80 hz.
Surr Back Ch = 2ch.
LPF of LFE = 80 hz.
Double Bass = Off.

Speaker Distance:

Left = 7.0 ft.
Center = 6.5 ft.
Right = 6.5 ft.
Surr Right = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back R = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back L = 5.5 ft.
Surr Left = 5.5 ft.
Subwoofer = 8.0 ft.

Level Calibration:

Left = 0 dB.
Center = +3 dB.
Right = 0 dB.
Surr Right = +2 dB.
Surr Back R = +6 dB.
Surr Back L = +6 dB.
Surr Left = +2 dB.
Subwoofer = 0 dB.

After Audyssey:

Speaker config:

Subwoofer = Yes.
Front = Full Band.
Center = Full Band.
Surround = 120 hz.
Surr Back = 150 hz.
Surr Back Ch = 2ch.
LPF of LFE = 80 hz.
Double Bass = Off.

Speaker Distance:

Left = 6.0 ft.
Center = 7.0 ft.
Right = 6.0 ft.
Surr Right = 6.5 ft.
Surr Back R = 5.5 ft.
Surr Back L = 5.5 ft.
Surr Left = 5.5 ft.
Subwoofer = 8.0 ft.

Level Calibration:

Left = -5 dB.
Center = -9 dB.
Right = -6 dB.
Surr Right = -7 dB.
Surr Back R = -2 dB.
Surr Back L = 0 dB.
Surr Left = -7 dB.
Subwoofer = -7 dB.




So far it sound pretty good. I popped in Diana Krall's concert Blu-ray and now I crank it to -1 on my Onkyo 705 instead of -17.

Hmmm.

Try how it sounds by overwriting the Speaker config settings and put the xover at 80hz in all channels.

Let us know how it sounds...

[Louisville S]

Originally Posted by cacihome

Try how it sounds by overwriting the Speaker config settings and put the xover at 80hz in all channels.

Let us know how it sounds...

Thanks,

I am thinking of getting a http://www.guitarcenter.com/Auralex-...49-i1134565.gc

Do the feet that came with the VTF-1 have to be removed before putting it on something like this?

[cacihome]

Originally Posted by Louisville S

Thanks,

I am thinking of getting a http://www.guitarcenter.com/Auralex-...49-i1134565.gc

Do the feet that came with the VTF-1 have to be removed before putting it on something like this?

Haven't used a gramma pad...Try a throw rug beneath the sub that will help a lot too. Leave the feet on.

[Louisville S]

I bought an isolation riser and re-ran calibration for 8 positions.


Subwoofer Settings (behind subwoofer):

Power = On.
Crossover = Out.
Crossover frequency = 90 hz.
Bass extension = 1 port open.
Phase = 0.
Volume = A little past the second notch from "min."

Audyssey:

Speaker config:

Subwoofer = Yes.
Front = Full Band.
Center = Full band.
Surround = 90 hz.
Surr Back = 150 hz.
Surr Back Ch = 2ch.
LPF of LFE = 80 hz.
Double Bass = Off.

Speaker Distance:

Left = 6.5 ft.
Center = 7.0 ft.
Right = 6.0 ft.
Surr Right = 6.0 ft.
Surr Back R = 5.0 ft.
Surr Back L = 5.0 ft.
Surr Left = 5.5 ft.
Subwoofer = 8.0 ft.

Level Calibration:

Left = -5 dB.
Center = -9 dB.
Right = -7 dB.
Surr Right = -8 dB.
Surr Back R = -3 dB.
Surr Back L = 0 dB.
Surr Left = -7 dB.
Subwoofer = +1 dB.

I popped in Live Free or Die Hard, went to the tunnel scene, volume at -11 dB. Listened, then set everything to 80 hz played the exact same scene at -11 dB. It seemed like more bass was going to the subwoofer. The rattling is completely gone thanks to:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Auralex-...49-i1134565.gc

I'll leave everything to 80 hz for now.

[Louisville S]

Pete HSU I love this sub!

I watched a few movies over the weekend and wow a good subwoofer really makes all the difference. I feel like I have an entirely new system now. After running calibration and putting the subwoofer on an isolation riser the bass seems tighter and more defined. The rattles from my wall I heard are now gone.

[Pete_Hsu]

I'm so happy to hear that Louisville S, thank you for sharing! The VTF-1 is a really great subwoofer, especially considering the size and cost!

So you prefer running your front (left/right) and center speakers as "Full Band", rather than crossing them over at some frequency?

Thanks

Sincerely,

[Louisville S]

Originally Posted by Pete_Hsu

I'm so happy to hear that Louisville S, thank you for sharing! The VTF-1 is a really great subwoofer, especially considering the size and cost!

So you prefer running your front (left/right) and center speakers as "Full Band", rather than crossing them over at some frequency?

Thanks

Sincerely,

Pete all my channels are currently set to 80 hz and the level calibration and distances I left alone because they were set by Audyssey. So far I've been happy with these settings. I figure let the subwoofer handle most of the low frequencies. While in Full Band more bass was routed to the fronts. I assume this puts more stress on the amp to reproduce the bass on the fronts. With everything set to 80 hz I get more bass from the sub and the fronts handle all the mids and highs. I think this is a better compromise.

So last night I sampled some jazz and rock CDs and tested “Direct” vs. “Stereo” at around the same volume. The Direct sounded more "bright" and "open" while Stereo sounded more "warm." I could definitely hear the subwoofer in Stereo whereas Direct just presents the signal as is (in a CD's case 2.0). I kept going back and forth and ended up leaning towards "Direct." The Polks opened up more while in Direct.

However, I popped in numerous concert Blu-rays and switched from Direct to Multich and as soon as I switched to Direct the bass was reduced from the subwoofer. Again Direct sounded more open, but Multichannel with Audyssey sounded pretty good as well. The difference wasn't as great with Blu-rays as it was with CDs. Not sure which one I prefer, but I am leading towards leaving Multich selected. I am assuming Direct doesn't use Audyssey hence why the Audyssey light goes away when Direct is selected.

I tested a few movies so far and Multich with Audyssey sounds fantastic. That I will leave alone.