Hsu VTF2 Mk3 or Polk DSW 600

Stew

I recently set up my SDA 2B's in our new basement and bass is not what it used to be in our old, smaller, basement. New room is about 21' x 14' x 8.5' with a 7' opening in one corner leading to another room and a stairwell. The 7' opening seems to be sucking the bass out of my listening area.

I listen to music primarily and am considering either a Hsu VTF2 Mk3 or a Polk DSW 600. Help me choose; Which one would you pick for music with the SDA's?

I'm planning to use a Marchand XM46 passive line level high pass filter (24 db/octave) in the pre-amp out/main in loop of my integrated amp to remove 80 hz and down from the SDA's. I plan to use the second set of pre amp outs to connect the sub and use the low pass filter in the sub. The Hsu low pass is 24 db/octave. I'm not sure about the DSW 600. Any suggestions on this setup would also be appreciated as this will be my first attempt at a sub crossover.

Early B.

The Hsu.

If you plan to use the sub for HT, I'd suggest a larger sub due to your room size.

Stew

I'll use it 85-90% for music and the remainder for HT. Is the VTF3-Mk3 worth the extra $200?

I also have a question on placement. Hsu recommends placing it next to the listening area. Polk recommends near the main speakers or at least in the front half of the room because it's easier to hear the location of a sub in practice than in theory due to resonances, etc. With the Hsu crossed at 80 hz will this be an issue?

dorokusai

The new DSW line is worth getting your ears on, so take the time to investigate it as an option. You could always get one from Crutchfield and return it within 30 days if you were unhappy.

Early B.

Stew wrote: »

I'll use it 85-90% for music and the remainder for HT. Is the VTF3-Mk3 worth the extra $200?

Probably not, unless you sometimes play rock or some hard core music at ear bleeding levels. For movies, you'll be a lot better off with the VTF3.

That being said, always buy more sub than you think you'll need, if you can afford to do so.

jwhitakr

Stewy -

I can't speak on the performance of the DSW subs, since I haven't gotten a chance to try them out yet. I can say that the HSU STF-3 sub that I use is a beast when it comes to HT performance, and it does an excellent job of blending with music. I have it placed near the front speakers and don't have any issues with localization. I use it for at least 80% HT and maybe 20% music, and I have no complaints whatsoever.

I'd also recommenting hitting up the HSU forums for advice / recommendations ... they have a great customer service rep who frequents the forums who should be able to give you some good advice, and a fairly active community that may be able to answer your crossover questions.

devani

I would say go for HSU....polks subs are not considered as good as speakers...i love my polk, I would get SVS or HSU subs....

placing subs takes some effort...it totally depends on individual room chracteristics....same placement in my house will be totally differ from yours....also crossover will vary depending on your setup...80Hz will be your starting point...start from that point...

[Deleted User]

The DSW600 is a very good sub. Polk has embraced the sub market and has recently released a new PSW & DSW line the 600 is part of this. I have listened to..... well I have one.... I am very happy with it's performance and blend with my RTI's. Give one a try you will not be disappointed.

Stew

Thanks for all the info so far! I took above advice and did a little research on the Hsu forum. I found a number of posts suggesting placement behind the couch. That should be a real kick in the pants! Consensus seems to be that with 80 Hz or lower crossover, placing close to the listening area works well for music and HT with the Hsu subs.

I've narrowed the crossover point to somewhere from 60 to 80 Hz. SDA owners with subs, what crossover frequency are you using?

Len - How well does the Room Optimizer work on the DSW600? Anyone know the rolloff rate (db/octave) for the lowpass filter in the DSW600?

J_Kennedy

It's not as easy to say just put it behind the couch. That may be the best placement in some cases, but not all. You'll still need to look at the room layout and test different places.

If you haven't yet, post a question with details about the room and "pete" from HSU will come along and make some suggestions.

Stew

I emailed the info to Pet Hsu and he recommended using a sub as an end table for the couch. At the time, though, I had the couch against the back wall. I decided to move things around a little bit to see if placing it behind the couch would be a possibility. I moved the couch about 15" from the back wall and then moved it over so that the SDA "sweet spot" was in the middle of the couch. This gave me room to move the love seat on the end wall about a foot further away from the right speaker. I expected the imaging to improve as my seat is now in the "sweet spot." The imaging is there and the SDA's did their disappearing trick as I hoped. What I wasn't expecting ... the bass is back!! I'm not sure if it's because my listening area is no longer against the back wall or because the love seat is further away from the right speaker. I'm just glad it's back!!

Now I'm debating whether to use a high pass filter with a lower frequency (maybe 60 hz), no high pass filter and just use the sub to fill in below 40 hz, or no sub at all. For music, how much am I missing below 38 hz?

Face

Stew wrote: »

For music, how much am I missing below 38 hz?

Not much.

J_Kennedy

Normally I'd laugh at "...using a sub as an end table for the couch." But seeing the dimensions of the VTF2.3, it might work as the "kids" a dinner table!!

Great news about your set up. I'm getting all my wiring and connections done today, then I'll get the sub ordered soon. Although I wish I would have at least ordered a 50' sub cable so I could have ran it today as well. At least to get it hanging in the wall.

Stew

Thanks to all for the advice!

J_Kennedy wrote: »

seeing the dimensions of the VTF2.3, it might work as the "kids" dinner table!!

Anyone know where to find the matching chairs? It seems like a heckuva deal, big box and all! Let us know how you're system turns out.

svsfanboy

I would recommend an SVS ultra plus over either of the Hsu or the Polk.

dorokusai

That's hilarious.