Uncommonly good investment

Can cause facial spasms from grinning too much.

Ah, the low end. That's where all the fun is! I recently upgraded from my 12" Klipsch and all I can say about the VTF-3 is "just buy it". You're spending a lot of unecessary time reading these reviews when you could be listening to music or enjoying a movie. With minimal tweaking this baby eased right into harmony with my NewForm 645's. I cannot imagine any system that VTF-3 would not be at home with. And if your kid with a trunk full of 12" woofers gets on your nerves a little twist to the right will put him to shame. I am in total agreement with all the previous references to sound quality and have nothing else to add other than not enough can be said about fine staff at HSU Reasearch. To improve WAF I incorporate the VTF-3 as an end table with a 100lb. granite slab top hanging off the sides far enough to partially conceal the unit. As you can imagine how sensitive the WAF is owning the 645's this smoothed things over.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch

--true low bass that is felt as well as heard --no "chuffing" or discernable distortion, even at high volume or sub 20 Hz audio material --top notch build quality --great customer service

--it's HEAVY --comes in any color or finish as long as it's black wiht a "pebble texture" --The money you spend goes into performance, not fancy finishes

After getting a widescreen HD TV the "audio upgrade bug" hit me, again. First upgrade was the sub...from the VTF-2 to the VTF-3 (traded in my VTF-2 through Ascend Acoustics. While the VTF-2 is one of the real audio bargains I thought I'd ever found, the VTF-3 is simply one of the best subs I've heard, regardless of price. Bass is not only heard, but it is felt. The VTF-3 offers the same seamless integration I had found with the CBM-170s and the HTM-200s from Ascend. It just adds a whole degree of power to all of my listenting...whether for movies or the DVD-A disks that I play. The level of performance and audio quality that I receive from the Ascend/HSU combination has yet to be remotely equaled, even from systems that cost 3X-4X the price. I can easily say that this is the best sub I've ever come across.

Similar Products Used:

--VTF-2 --Velodyne --JBL --Klipsch --Paradigm

The sound and the price.

Yeah, right.

WOW! This sub is truly amazing! There are those that say you need a sub for music and another for movies. Not anymore. This sub does it all. I hear things in movies I never heard before and I can not only hear, but feel the audio in my movies. I am fortunate to live in close proximity to HSU Research's headquarters. I went in and listened to the VTF2, VTF3 and TN-1220HO. I was impressed by them all, but the VTF3 had more range than the VTF2 and the TN-1220HO for my purposes. The VTF3 may be a bit large, but the sound that comes out of it is certainly worth the "It is too big" from the wife -sorry ladies. Bottom line - get it, you will NOT be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch RSW 12 VTF2 TN-1220HO

The best bargain in a non-tube Subwoofer.

Black industrial finish- Should have an option for wood veneer. A little tall and long.

I decided to upgrade my old 15" Servo-Velodyne F1500B and wasn't sure what kind of results I would get from a 12" sub. The Hsu is amazing! Clear, clean, tight deep base down to the point where you can't hear it but feel it. Most high-end subs are this good, but not at this price!

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Velodyne, Polk, Infinity ,M&K

Even at list, it's a bargain. Tremendous sub for under $1,000. Strong, versatile, low and deep. Well made constrction wise and without a doubt the best sub I've ever heard. Tight precise and not a hint of boom. Usuable extension down to 20Hz. WOW.

Big, tall, long and ugly. Not for small rooms or houses, get the VTf-2 instead.

I got this item slightly used on Ebay. It listed for $949.00 plus shipping on Hsu's site so I had to jump on this thing. This is my third Subwoofer and comparing the other's I've owned to this is like comparing Yugo's to Jaguars, they both have wheels and a engine but all similarities end there. This thing is big, taller and longer than the ususal box sub. The covering is not too attractive but it's not for looking at anyway. Sonically, this thing finds low freq. sounds my JBL PB-12 never even sniffed at. I didn't run test tones etc and do blindfold tests, all I know is that I hear things in movies and music I never heard before. My old JBL was loud, imprecise and boomy. This thing is tighter than a dutchman's purse. It goes so low that I get queasy from the low end freqs. Something I've never, ever experienced before. This sub is scary. I'm still working on getting it set up right. At the price I got it, bargain killer.

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Typmani 10-inch junk sub, JBL PB-12

Tight thunderous bass with no hint of boomieness. Couch shaking energy.

Bit too big. Finish needs wood veneer.

I've been on sub hunt for what seemed like ages now. *&(*#&)(*!@&#. Well, my motto has always been keep your suppliers within driving distance. With stella reputations Hsu has garnered so far I found it irresistable for me not to audition the sub. since I have good fortune of living within driving distance of HSU HQ, i've decided to do just that. So I called. Next day I drove down. I was expecting some sales person but no. Dr. Hsu personally came out and greeted me. He then proceeded to help me with audition. We saw TITAN A.E. with vtf2. Very very impressive. Solid bass output and non-boomie performance from a 10 inch sub. It seem like it could blend well with just about any mains or sats. Then we popped in The blade. WOW. DAMN! thats' what they meant when they said on the reviews about their eyeballs jiggle and the whole room quake. I've never felt that kind of energy coming from a sub before. Oh i'm sorry, i mean VTF3. We switched to vtf3 for The Blade DVD. Mind you in all honesty the listening room was on a bit smallish size. I'd say about 7 X 8ft.. not sure. At this point YOU the reader be thinking, Oh please give me comparisons! I know I would like to read comparisons. So here goes, remember this is just one person's personal opinion. vtf3 vs paradigm pdr12 = no comparison pdr12 is a boooomy weakling compared to the mighty thunder of the vtf3. Even vtf2 would be a better choice over pdr12. *vtf3 vs SVS 25-31 PCi* = (i know you wanna read this one) Somewhat close in sound and output yet vtf3 seem to go lower. SVS seemed a little boomier at upper frequencies. Plus (or minus depending on your pref.) vtf3 is a box and svs is a cylinder. vtf3 vs velo cht12 = hahahahaha vtf 3 vs velo spl12 = Very similar sound. Both very punchy and mascular. IMO. they are on an equal footing yet velo is much more $$$. vtf 3 vs NHT u2 = Is there such thing as bass being too tight? Or am i just mistaking lack of bass for tightness? refering to NHT of course. Overall I came away impressive by 3 things, Dr. Hsu's hospitality, Vtf2's performance and VTF3's performance. So, there you go.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm PDR12, SVS 25-31PCi, Velodyne CHT12. Velodyne SPL12, NHT U2,.. getting tired of it.

great impact bass, tuneable (VTF), great support, I liked the included CD and low bass documentation

none as yet

I upgraded from the vtf-2 ( another stellar sub ) to the vtf-3. I really enjoy the vtf-3 extended bass capabilities. After upgrading my kit from a Denon AVR5803 to Rotel, I noticed the Rotel had dual subwoofer outputs. I bought another vtf-2 and run it in the open port mode and the vtf-3 in the extended mode. This system really sings both musically and HT. highly recommend either or both subs and Sasha @ bluewhale redefines customer support

Similar Products Used:

hsu vtf-2, Jensen, Infinity

Technical support VERY loud sub for the money paid:Big bang for the buck.

None yet.

This is my 2nd Hsu Research Subwoofer, and I have been EXTREMELY happy with both purchases. I purchased the 12V in 1996 and have been very happy with it until I moved into a much bigger home. The 12V finally showed its limits. Thus, I decided to shell out, initially up to $2000 for a name brand speaker....maybe Sunfire, Velodyne, M&K, or Defintive Technology. I listened to all except the Sunfire, and was not too impressed with their performances. Confused more after my listening test, I decided to go on the net such as this forum and others to hear what others reviewers said. I initially did not want another Hsu Research because of its 250 watt rating as compared to other subs with their 500 - 2700 watt rating. However, the name Hsu Research kept coming up as being among the best, if not the best sub out there regardless of money. Well, I had 30 days satisfaction guarantee to test it out anyway. When it arrived, I have to say that the VTF-3 is PHENOMENAL. I couldn't believe it!!! My room is 18' by 20' by 10 feet high, connected to a kitchen and nook area that is another 15 feet long. Thus, this is a huge listening area. The sub is positioned in the front left area. My sofa is about midway between the family/hometheater room front wall and the kitchen backwall. I could FEEL the thuds in Jurrasic Park, and the Gunfire in Saving Private Ryan. My radioshack SPL meter registered between 4 to 10 db louder when compared to the older 12v subwoofer. My whole room, windows, doors shook. My wife, who was coming home from work, came in, saying she could "FEEL" the sound from the garage! Now that is a subwoofer. Also, I wanted to comment on technical support. I have emailed tecnical support in total about 6 times before as well as after the purchase for advice on speaker placements and such, and in all 6 times, the response came back in hours, not days!!!!! I feel like I have a personal hometheater expert consultant for free with the purchase of this sub! I highly recommend the Hsu Research VTF-3. Good Job Hsu Research!!!

Similar Products Used:

Hsu Research Hvs 12v

Integrates bass sounds to give seamless music. It made my system so much better I have put buying new main speakers on hold.

Big and heavy cabinet.

Shocking improvement to a mediocre system. I have a new JVC RX-DP10VBK with an old speaker set up of Bose Acoustimass 7 that has a bass module(no true subwoofer). After using the test CD I found it doesn't go much below 60Hz. I listened to a Magnavox DVD player that had a subwoofer and satellite speakers. The speakers were so aweful that I took the system back but learned how much improvement the subwoofer made. This subwoofer, however, continues to amaze me. I don't know who gets scared more, me or the cats-I keep hearing a singer that I think is a real person in the room, or sound effects that I think are real. I was unprepared for the result of having my Bose speakers sound so much, much better after being freed from having to try to carry any bass. Hsu recommends setting the front speakers to small and let all the bass be handled by the VTF-3. The music has a seemless incorporation of bass. The only reason I don't give it a five on value is I wonder if the VTF-2 wouldn't have been adequate, but I am very pleased with the unit. Oh yea,BTW, it does check for bowel and bladder continence with bone jarring bass with home theater DVDs, which was why I bought it. The pod race scene in Star Wars Phantom Menace pounds your chest and makes you wonder at first if you're having the "big one". To be used with caution by those heart conditions and weak constitutions. Year model 2003.

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Magnavox DVD/home theater speaker system

Will make a grown man wish for diapers.

Kind of..um...big...

This Sub actually had my friend and I laughing out loud, when the test CD hit 20 and 25 Hz, and made my closet door come alive with resonance. This thing will tell you what frequency your whole room resonates at. 16 Hz just made my windows flex, and I felt like I better have some diapers on.(he hee) This thing goes the distance. It just might re define bass for you. Someone had a good laugh creating this monster for the home. and the SQ is amazingly delicate as well. If you truly appreciate low bass extension, you will appreciate this design.

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Dahlquist, Wharfedale