Hsu STF-1 better or worse than PSW505

starless
starless Posts: 23
edited February 2011 in Speakers
I'm looking for a subwoofer to go with my newly acquired Monitor 70s (with CS2 on its way). I don't feel like paying more for a subwoofer than I did for my main speakers! The price of the PSW505 seems pretty good - but even in this forum it doesn't see to have many supporters. Is it really that bad?! If I don't get that, I was thinking about the cheapest Hsu, the STF-1. But maybe that wouldn't be a good match to the "power" of the monitor 70s?

Thanks!
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited February 2011
    I had this sub and for $199 new it is a good buy. Great rumble for movies.

    http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1297988132&sr=1-2
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2011
    starless wrote: »
    I don't feel like paying more for a subwoofer than I did for my main speakers!
    I never thought I would, but once I determined what my goal was, and did my homework, that's exactly what I did, and from a performance standpoint, I've never regretted doing so.
    starless wrote: »
    The price of the PSW505 seems pretty good - but even in this forum it doesn't see to have many supporters.
    Well, it is a $200 subwoofer, so I'm wondering what else out there at that price would be noticeably better?
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,786
    edited February 2011
    starless wrote: »
    I'm looking for a subwoofer to go with my newly acquired Monitor 70s (with CS2 on its way). I don't feel like paying more for a subwoofer than I did for my main speakers! The price of the PSW505 seems pretty good - but even in this forum it doesn't see to have many supporters. Is it really that bad?! If I don't get that, I was thinking about the cheapest Hsu, the STF-1. But maybe that wouldn't be a good match to the "power" of the monitor 70s?

    Thanks!

    The 505 is ALWAYS highly recommended on the CP forum. Your search is flawed. Just to say, my sub was 3X the cost of my mains. Got a good deal on the mains though :smile:
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited February 2011
    starless wrote: »
    I'm looking for a subwoofer to go with my newly acquired Monitor 70s (with CS2 on its way). I don't feel like paying more for a subwoofer than I did for my main speakers! The price of the PSW505 seems pretty good - but even in this forum it doesn't see to have many supporters. Is it really that bad?! If I don't get that, I was thinking about the cheapest Hsu, the STF-1. But maybe that wouldn't be a good match to the "power" of the monitor 70s?

    Thanks!

    Welcome to CP !
    It's good for movies and okay for music.It had great output for movies. At $200 shipped I think the value is there and you would be happy. What is your budget ?
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited February 2011
    For $200 the PSW 505 is definately worth the money and then some. From my experience it is good for both Movies and music. Really....what can you buy these days for $200 ? It also comes with a 5 year Warranty. Don't let the price fool you as this Sub was almost $600 when it first came out.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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  • starless
    starless Posts: 23
    edited February 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Well, it is a $200 subwoofer, so I'm wondering what else out there at that price would be noticeably better?
    In some other forums, the "conventional wisdom" seems to be that the BIC F12 and the Premier Acoustic PA 120 may be better for a similar price, and that the Hsu models are worth considering, starting at about $100 more (and going up to a lot more)...
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  • ShadowTowel
    ShadowTowel Posts: 89
    edited February 2011
    Personally, I own a BIC Acoustech PL-200. This subwoofer is very frequently regarded as the best budget subwoofer for the money. It can be had on eBay for $269 if you offer it to the place who sells it for $329 OBO. I don't remember their name but I've been told they accept offers of $269 and up. No tax, no shipping. It has 1000 watts (peak), and 300 watts (RMS). Goes down to 24 Hz I believe, which is very low for that price range. My experience is that it makes me feel like my house is going to collapse when big explosions occur during movies. It puts out a LOT of power. For the extra $69... probably well worth it.

    HSU is an incredible company, however, and you cannot go wrong going with them. I can't afford them yet! :) However, if you're going to get an HSU... you may want to get the next step up unless you're using the STF-1 in a small room.

    If you have any questions about the PL-200, feel free to ask. The H-100 is another one from BIC that is a little smaller, but also has TREMENDOUS reviews (more readily accessible than reviews for the PL-200). Good luck!
    Polk Audio RTi A3 (mains)
    Polk Audio CSi A4 (center)
    Polk Audio RC60i (rears)
    BIC Acoustech PL-200 (sub)
    Denon AVR-590 (receiver)
    Samsung LN46B550 (LCD)
    Sharp BD HP22U (Blu-ray player)
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  • spock 2054
    spock 2054 Posts: 163
    edited February 2011
    Hey Starless - Try them both. Check the vendor return policy - I see that Hsu has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. $200 is a good price for the Polk 505.

    When I worked at Circuit, I had my eyes on the Velodyne DPS-12. Very tight, musical sub. We sold it for $600+. It went on clearance for $235. I snapped it up at that price. Wish I had 2 of them. Try to eval both the 505 and the Hsu, if possible...
    polk monitor 70's
    center - polk monitor cs2
    surround - polk monitor 60's
    surround back - jbl e10
    sub - velodyne dps 12
    sub - polk psw110
    avr/pre-amp - onkyo tx-nr809
    amp - adcom gfa-5500
    amp - carver av405
    display - sharp lc70le847u
    tv - silicon dust hd homern
    blu-ray - oppo bdp-103
    hd dvd- toshiba hd xa2
    control - logitech harmony one
    turntable - technics sl1500 mkII
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2011
    starless wrote: »
    In some other forums, the "conventional wisdom" seems to be that the BIC F12 and the Premier Acoustic PA 120 may be better for a similar price, and that the Hsu models are worth considering, starting at about $100 more (and going up to a lot more)...

    For $200, my intuition tells me they're all going to be about the same. Of course, one of them is going to have better specs... (like going down couple or few Hz lower) so people will say that's the best one. Idk, so a search for a $200 subwoofer shootout. I still think one will be as good as another.

    Of course, if you keep paying a little more, you'll keep getting a little more...
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  • starless
    starless Posts: 23
    edited February 2011
    I found a local person selling a Velodyne DLS 3500R
    http://www.velodyne.com/vproducts/series.aspx?seriesid=1207
    It seems interesting, but, like the Hsu STF-1, it only has an 8" speaker...
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    The PSW 505 receives a LOT of 'good' reviews here for a 200 dollar sub! That was originally around 500 dollars? The BIC is something I have NOT heard but I highly doubt it is much better than the Polk sub. Yeah it's got slightly better specs...but that's a game that sub manufacturers play. When someone says a sub can reach to 25hz or so the real question is? HOW loud does it play at THAT freq. Most subs are NOT that loud at 25hz. In fact they're probably only formidable at 30hz or above? See REAL tests of these subs in 'reviews'. It's not the easy to put out BIG SPLs at 25hz or lower without:

    1. A LARGE VOLUME and a lot of bracing and WEIGHT--well over 50 lbs. A lot over it!

    2. Without reasonable wattage....probably 500-1000 watts RMS and a least twice that in peak values?

    So can the BIC really play loud at its spec limits? Probably not?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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