Punch,versatility

Couls use just a little bit better amp.

This subwoofer kicks butt for the money. I've had my share of subwoofers over the years,this one sounds great. Of course if I could afford it,I'd get an aerial acoustic,but I digress... I'm one of those "If it dosn't sound perfect,turn it off!" Teamed up with my B&W's 603S,it pack's just the right punch. But I will say this,and all you audiophilies know this. cable's,cables,cable's. If you use a cheap subwoofer cable,your missing out!! I'm using Audioquests Black Thunder,and man the kick drum never sounded better! Not to mention,this is a very good LFE subwoofer.

Performance independent of price, price, performance for the price, sturdy cabinet and driver, quality electronics, good self-protection, very accurate & dynamic sound, it's a "real sub" (plays LOW).

None for the price. If it cost twice as much, the finish would be quality but lack-luster; for the price it is durable, effective and reasonably attractive. No significant weakness is present in this sub's design after having owned it for 2.5 years.

I have already left one review for this product. NOw that I've had it for 2 & 1/2 years, I figure it's time for another review. The sub has peformed FLAWLESSLY for every day of the past 2.5 years. I do not use it every day...more like once a week. But, when i do use it, I REALLY use it...playing loud and deep (easily breaking 100 db consistently for an hour or so of my listening session). The sub still sounds great and, aside from a little bit of dust, it looks great as well. I couldn't be happier with it. I would heartily recommend Hsu Research products to anyone who's in the market for a true subwoofer. Their value and performance quotient is unprecedented. Negative reviews must be taken with a grain of salt. Every product has to be considered within it's price point. A Ferrari isn't credibly compared with a toyota, no matter how many options the toyota has. Now totyotas are nice cars, but they don't begin to comapre to an Itlaian exotic costing as much as the toyota owner's house. mLet's be real here, folks. This is not the best sub ever...it might be one of the best sub ever, for its price...hence the numerous awards and rave reviews. Try to match its performance for anythign near 4-500 dollars. I dare you. At the very least, it's a wash and the sub has an equal...but it never diminshes the quality of this sub. Don't hesitate to purchas eone of these if it's in good working order; it will serve you very well. I'm a customer...and so are my dad and my brother. FWIW...

Customer Service

Hsu's CS was top-notch. There was an enormous shipping mix-up (FedEx's fault) and Hsu refunded me $50 dollars just to keep me happy...evn though it wasn't their fault. I spoke with DR. Hsu regarding this issue and some room-placement issues and he was very amicable, friendly, and knowledgable. Very Pleased.

Similar Products Used:

Velodyne, Klipsch, Polk, PSB, NHT, Cambridge Soundworks, JBL.

Good value.

Not the most musical. Although, if you feel like adjusting it everytime you change from movies to music, it'll do a fairly respectable job.

I'm really learning to take this site with a grain of salt. Either the general public are bumbling idiots or manufacturers are posting their own reviews. I bought this sub based on the reviews of others here. I will admit for the money this a pretty decent sub, but that statement needs to be stressed, "for the money". You get what you pay for. However, if you set this sub up properly, it can do a decent job...mostly with movies. I usually turn it off for two channel music enjoyment. It just gets in the way at that point. It's definitely not all that everyone here makes it out to be.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch, Martin Logan, Boston Acoustics

Sounded good when it worked

Poor electronics.

Sounded great when it was working. However, in the 4 years I had this sub, it broke 3x, the first two times it cost me $100++ for repair, and I had to wait two weeks to get the sub back from HSU. After it broke the third time I moved on.

Low initial cost, clean powerful and balanced response down to 26Hz

Signal detection circuit failed after 3 years.

The VT-2 provides unbeatable sound for a low initial cost. I tested mine with the Stereo Review audio setup disk, and this unit provided clean, voluminous sound down to 26Hz. If you live in an apartment or a condo, you'll never come close to realizing its full potential. On the downside, my VT-2's signal detection circuit, the one that turns on the power to the unit, failed after three years, out of warranty. There's a lot to be said for the simplicity of passive drivers. Personally, I expect modern electronics to be nearly bulletproof; I've never experienced a failure in any piece of audio equipment I've ever owned - until now. I've had three great years of solid bottom end with the HSU VT-2, but I'm disappointed with the electronic failure and the prospect of shipping and repair expense.

loud, low bass

a little bit big.

I just prepurchased this sub from a company in Toronto who deals this product now for the same price i would have purchased it from the states minus shipping! This sub is amazing! i didn't know my system was missing such low bass impact until now...the cabinet looks great and the sub works really well with music too....contact me if you want to know more...mrtristan@hotmail.com

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm sw1200

140 watts of clean "powerful" bass. Price($450, for sub that sounds more like a $1,000+ sub). Definitely meets the wife acceptance factor.

Manual could be better written and typed on better print.

I purchase this sub at HSU Research on 1/04, thus this is a 2004 model, not 2003. To describe this sub in one word it is truly "AWESOME". This sub kicks out "CLEAN BASS", not that awefull sounding "BOOMY" bass that many are accustomed to hearing from cheap audio set up. I initally thought that the amount of watts this sub puts out wasn't enough for me, BOY I WAS DEFINITELY WRONG!!! At 140 watts, this sub blows more than what my room and ears can handle. Put it this way, I leave the volume level half way up on the sub and I can hear the "clean bass" sound transmitting 3 rooms away. The DVD movies I initally used to "test" this sub out are the following: Bad Boys 2, Terminator 3, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Finding Nemo. All of the bass sounds generated from these movies sounded AMAZING on the VTF-2. The bass sound came on cue with the movies. There was no "boom" sound, if there was "no boom" in the movie. If you are considering buying a subwoofer for under a grand, you CAN'T go wrong with this one. This sub will blow away many other subs in the $1,000 to $2,000 price range. Customer service is very courteous and friendly. Heck, I even had the opportunity to speak to Dr. HSU himself on more than one occasion,(very friendly individual) I might add. As a matter of fact, he was the one that recommended me to view Terminator 3 and Finding Nemo, to hear the bass off the sub. To conclude, this sub will be an excellent addition to your HT set up, if you need one. If you are still thinking about it, you are just wasting precious time in having the sub shipped out to you.

Well made, clean sounding (even at low levels) and powerful. Low cost compared to other subs of equal rating, free shipping from HSU. Operates in adjustable in Low and Lower frequency modes. Shipping includes test CD featuring high dynamic range musical selections. Well documented user manual.

Case treatment is a bit cheesy with a spray on black vinyl makes sub look like it was made in a garage. Foam plug closes one port opening maybe not the most elegant looking solution. No visible front LED. Not as attractive and well styled as the Klipsch, but Dr. Hsu and his team wryly comment on this in the user docs suggesting that the sub be used as an "attractive end table".

After reading many reviews on this website I originally purchased a open box model on the Klipsch KSW-12 for $449.00. A speaker that normally goes for $500.00, this price reduction made it equal in price to the HSU Research VTF-2. I used the KSW-12 for two weeks listening to mostly dolby digital encoded movies and music via an optical link connection. While the performance of the Klipsch sub seemed clean and consistent for most applications, it did require high input levels from my receiver to be adaquiately translated to low freq. sound. How do I know this, you ask? Because the Klipsch ships with a auto on feature and the handy little LED on the front of the sub turns green when the sub is active. Even when this baby was in standby set to auto, it would not power on until a substational signal was passed through the onboard amp. Why don't I leave it in the 'on' mode then? I could, but my point is that with the Klipsch it won't make a difference as low deciable sounds will not be addressed. Another issue was that I couldn't make a tonal distinction in sounds comming from the Klipsch. It was either Boom-Boom or no Boom-Boom. Needless to say this aspect of the sub did not enhance the tonal range of music beyond what my S321IIs already provided. To summarize, it made my media room sound like a low-rider than a THX certified soundstage. This is one of the first things I noticed after I'd set up the VTF-2. Even the most subtle of low freq. sounds are represented with the HSU sub. Maybe this is an aspect of the extended range of the VTF-2 (approx. 25HZ lower than the KSW-12), but even subtle background traffic in exterior scenes and air conditioning ambience in interiors was being articulated. To me this is the most defining characteristic between these two highly rated subs. The VTF-2 rating (@ audioreview) is justified by people who have gone out of thier way to puchase a quality sub, the KSW-12 on the other hand is sightly over rated by individuals who have gotten the best that traditional retail outlets can offer. While the KSW is a good sub for most applications, it is no match for the VTF-2 which I would agree is simply 'more musical' to use a term that I read in many other reviews. I would add that they are also more 'in tune' and more controlled than the Klipsch as I tend to listen to my speakers at a moderate level. Rest assured I have a full set of JBL studio series speakers, so when I do choose to suck the air out of the room with sound the HSU sub performs this task without distortion, uncontrolled modulation, or noise flap.

Similar Products Used:

KSW-12

Nearly every aspect of it's performance (of course, keeping price in mind)

None (at this dirt-low price, are you KIDDING me!?)

Bought this sub form Hsu's website. Then Fedex screwed up BAD and it took me three weeks to get it. Dr. Hsu himself offered me a 10% rebate, even tho shipping was free. FedEx is a joke, but am extremely satisfied with the service from Hsu research; a top notch business. After receipt, there was only anominal break-in period. About 8 hours should be expected for anybody else. Oh, despite what the top of the review says, this is an '04 model. Back to the review...this sub is incredible. The sheer dynamic reserve that it posseses at almost any volume level never ceases to impress. Musical to the bone. At any price under $1000 this sub is a steal. Have listened extensively to Def Tech (i'm a big fan) pro sub 100 TL. That sub is a great sub, but doesn't compare to this one. The prices are similar, but the commonality ceases past that point. The VTF-2 plays lower (20hz @ 93-96 db), and louder than the def tech. The variable tuning feature is ingenious and simple at the same time. Brilliant design from every aspect. At the 25hz setting (one port plugged), it is ruler flat to well below what most any CD will bring to the table) and the 32hz setting gives you an extra 4-6 db in the sock-em range. Remember, every increase of 3db is a percieved DOUBLING in volume to the human ear (roughly). Sturdily built. Very heavy...and not too big. But to each his (her?) own. I have the vtf-2 teamed-up with a pair of klipsch RB-35's on studiotech stands (SP-24's). The klipsch's are known for being efficient and 'fast' (that being the brilliance of hornloading the tweeter/midrange driver). The VTF-2 provides a seamless blend between the satellites and the lower octaves. I am using a carver TFM-15cb amp (100w rms), and a carver HR-742 pre-amp. The sub is a steal at any price (just go to the website and read the reviews, then go to the Hsu website and see how often theri products are back-ordered...and this is after they've expanded their manufacturing facilities). I couldn't be happier with it. Yes, there are better performing subwoofers out there, but none at this price (or even close). I've heard some Paradigm, Def-Tech, B&W, and Velodyne subs that sound better, but all those drivers were either 12's or 15's, and the prices for those models start at just under a grand. Not enough room here to get too particular, but you can do your own research (you obviously already have begun that, or you wouldn't be reading this). Hsu is a great company making great products; I plan on using Hsu subs exclusively, and only recommending them to my friends. It's the only sub I have ever been able to recommend without having to make excuses for it ("well, that's what you're gonna get at this price..."). The performance speaks for itself, and the price is just the exclaimation point...gravy, if you like to phrase it that way. If you need bigger, go w/ the VTF-3...it'll beat anything under 2 grand. I admit my bias, but for this price, you'll be biased, as well. Bottom Line: pay the $450, sleep well, and brag often.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge Soundworks Basscube 10s JBL PB10 Def Tech Prosub 100TL

LOW BASS EXTENSION with authority Built quality CHEAP!!!

None whatsoever!!

This is a 2nd review on the VTF-2, since I've owned it now for over a year. I have two HT/music systems in my house, one upstairs in a "game" room, the other downstairs in the living room. The upstairs system is better than the one downstairs. I used the Paradigm PW-2200 sub in the "upstairs" system. Although a great sub, I felt something was missing on the "lower octave". I was always under the impression the PW-2200 was "better" than the VTF-2 just based on the specs of each sub. The VTF-2 has a downward-firing 10" driver with a 150W RMS amplifier, while the PW-2200 has a 12" front-firing, rear ported design with a 250W RMS amplifier. So, out of the blue, I decided to try the VTF-2 upstairs with my best/main system and WHAT A SURPRISE! The VTF-2 "smoked" the PW-2200 in low extension. I mean, I was mesmerized. The VTF-2 play lower with more authority than the bigger PW-2200. I did a search online and ran into a report, well more like a data sheet from Tom Nousaine on output from dozens of subwoofers from major manufacturers including the VTF-2 and the PW-2200. What I found on the datasheet explained what I experienced with the 2 subs. The PW-2200 and the VTF-2 output from 25Hz - 60Hz is pretty much the same at 109Db with less tha 10% distortion. However, at 20 Hz, the PW-2200 could only output 84-86Db, while the VTF-2 does 93-96Db. So, there you have it, folks! Don't let the 10" driver and 150W RMS amplifier fool you. The VTF-2 plays LOW and LOUD for only $449 directly from Hsu Research. Highly recommended.........Period

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Sony, Yamaha, and Paradigm subs