Contemplating new HSU sub

Graboid

Hello fellow Polkies. I recently upgraded by main home theater speakers to a pair of Polk RtiA7s and a CSi6 center. I have been using an old Klipsch subwoofer but find that it isn't cutting it anymore. I have to tone it down a lot in the receiver's setup in order to keep it from going a bit bonkers (popping) when there is a dynamic event on a blu-ray such as a huge explosion, etc. So since it's cut way back in volume I don't think I'm really getting the bang I so much deserve. I have been looking for something in the $300 to $600 range and have been finding myself drawn to some of the HSU products. Particularly the VTF-2 M3 and the STF-2. What do some of you think of these speakers? Would I be a happy camper with one of these in my system? Are they a good value, and do they ship quickly and have good customer support? Thanks for any advice you all can offer.
Dan

Menasor

Graboid wrote: »

Hello fellow Polkies. I recently upgraded by main home theater speakers to a pair of Polk RtiA7s and a CSi6 center. I have been using an old Klipsch subwoofer but find that it isn't cutting it anymore. I have to tone it down a lot in the receiver's setup in order to keep it from going a bit bonkers (popping) when there is a dynamic event on a blu-ray such as a huge explosion, etc. So since it's cut way back in volume I don't think I'm really getting the bang I so much deserve. I have been looking for something in the $300 to $600 range and have been finding myself drawn to some of the HSU products. Particularly the VTF-2 M3 and the STF-2. What do some of you think of these speakers? Would I be a happy camper with one of these in my system? Are they a good value, and do they ship quickly and have good customer support? Thanks for any advice you all can offer.
Dan

If your range is 300-600, then your range looks like what mine was.

Here are the key players in this price range:

HSU VTF-2 M3, SVS PB12/PC12-NSD, eD a3-300

You'll most likely be happy with the VTF-2 M3, but if you want to spend a little bit more, you will get VTF-3 M3 type performance out of the PB12/PC12-NSD. I just got a PC12-NSD and it's coming next week so stay tuned.

From what I heard from the eD guys, the a3-300 is quite impressive too and is $600 shipped. They're out of stock right now but will be taking orders very soon. But subwoofers will dig down below 18hz with authority.

That said, if you're set with HSU, they're a very reputable company and you really can't go wrong.

bopicasso

Sv sound still has the 25/31pci in stock and on sale. I just got one for my dad tuned to 22hz shipped for 523.

Graboid

Well, with very few responses to go on, I finally decided to order the HSU VTF-2MK3 this morning in rosenut. I hope to have it by the end of the week so I will keep you posted of my results.

Menasor

Congrats on your purchase! I'm sure you'll be very happy with it

SBrown712

Sorry I didn't see your thread earlier. I have a Hsu sub and have really enjoyed it. Mine is the STF-1 so lower output than you are looking to get. Quality product at a good price. Plus with the money back guarantee how can you go wrong?
Enjoy and let us know how you like it.

Graboid

OK, so time for an update. I should be enjoying my new HSU sub today, but alas it was not to be. When I ordered it I told them that I might not be at home when the speaker was delivered and they said I could send them an e-mail waiving the signature requirement, so I did that. I hung around the house as long as I could today, and sure enough 15 minutes after I left for work this afternoon FedX showed up. When I came home later I found the sticker on my door saying the item could not be left because the shipper required my signature. I called HSU and they said it was shipped with a special label that said no signature required. HSU called FedX and I called FedX as well but we were not able to get the driver to return to my house and deliver the sub. He said he made the decision that it was unsafe to leave it without my signature. I have an enclosed porch in a nice quiet neigborhood. I guess my FedX driver was feeling too lazy to take the 80 pound sub out of his truck. Probably anxious to hit the friday afternoon bar scene.
Dan

Menasor

Graboid wrote: »

OK, so time for an update. I should be enjoying my new HSU sub today, but alas it was not to be. When I ordered it I told them that I might not be at home when the speaker was delivered and they said I could send them an e-mail waiving the signature requirement, so I did that. I hung around the house as long as I could today, and sure enough 15 minutes after I left for work this afternoon FedX showed up. When I came home later I found the sticker on my door saying the item could not be left because the shipper required my signature. I called HSU and they said it was shipped with a special label that said no signature required. HSU called FedX and I called FedX as well but we were not able to get the driver to return to my house and deliver the sub. He said he made the decision that it was unsafe to leave it without my signature. I have an enclosed porch in a nice quiet neigborhood. I guess my FedX driver was feeling too lazy to take the 80 pound sub out of his truck. Probably anxious to hit the friday afternoon bar scene.
Dan

Ack waiting sucks! I'm sure you'll be in love when you get it. Be sure to share pics!

apphd

Graboid wrote: »

......and deliver the sub. He said he made the decision that it was unsafe to leave it without my signature. I have an enclosed porch in a nice quiet neigborhood. I guess my FedX driver was feeling too lazy to take the 80 pound sub out of his truck. Probably anxious to hit the friday afternoon bar scene.
Dan

Probably the case:mad:

Boy that sucks. Didn't realize drivers had that option to disregard shippers instructions...... at least it will be rock'n your home soon.

jmwest1970

Graboid wrote: »

OK, so time for an update. I should be enjoying my new HSU sub today, but alas it was not to be. When I ordered it I told them that I might not be at home when the speaker was delivered and they said I could send them an e-mail waiving the signature requirement, so I did that. I hung around the house as long as I could today, and sure enough 15 minutes after I left for work this afternoon FedX showed up. When I came home later I found the sticker on my door saying the item could not be left because the shipper required my signature. I called HSU and they said it was shipped with a special label that said no signature required. HSU called FedX and I called FedX as well but we were not able to get the driver to return to my house and deliver the sub. He said he made the decision that it was unsafe to leave it without my signature. I have an enclosed porch in a nice quiet neigborhood. I guess my FedX driver was feeling too lazy to take the 80 pound sub out of his truck. Probably anxious to hit the friday afternoon bar scene.
Dan

I wouldn't look at this as a bad thing. Yes, waiting sucks. However, if you returned home and there was no sub, no notice, and you checked the tracking information online and found it had been delivered it would suck much more. I would appreciate a driver who felt it wasn't safe to leave items unattended. I wish my FedEx/UPS driver would do this. Many time I have ordered things with signature required, but it never happens. The driver pulls up, drops off the box, and runs back to the truck without any notification at all. I live on a street between two high schools and a college with lots of pedestrian traffic. I'm just waiting for a delivery to disappear.

sagasa

I have vtf2 and still very happy with it no complain..

teatouch

sagasa wrote: »

I have vtf2 and still very happy with it no complain..

I love my v2.3 it sounds great out of the box. Thank god I didn't have to adjust all those dials in the back of the sub. It has more buttons than a cockpit.

Graboid

OK, so the saga of pain and misery continues. Finally got my new HSU sub delivered today and while it worked for a few minutes, while I was setting it up and auditioning music on it I noticed it make a really strange sound between tracks on a CD. It actually sounded like a pissed off cat growling. The sound was intermitent, but when I flipped the polarity switch it went from growling cat to pulsed thumping. After less than an hour it no longer works at all. HSU is sending me a new amp that I should have by Wednesday, but if that doesn't solve the problem I'm sending the whole thing back and calling SVS. I said to the gal from HSU on the phone, I paid $700.00 for this thing, I don't want to be repairing it. Fingers crossed, I will keep you informed.

thsmith

Graboid,

I understand you are frustrated and I would be too but HSU has some of the best CS I have experieinced. I have owned 3 of their products and no issues, I am sure it is an isolated incident. Call Pete, provided the AMP plate works out and request some compensation for your time and disappointment. Refund shipping if nothing else.

Give them a chance to make it right, if they don't (which would surprise me) then calling SVS would be a good move. Be aware though even SVS ships a defective product once in a great while.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Murray1

Dang man, give Hsu a chance to make it right. Sounds like Hsu is getting after it with a replacement within 2 days of failure. Hope the Hsu gal was not making you a tech over the phone. I don't mind CS asking me to do a few checks but when they start down the road of on-site service that is a bit much. Hope all goes well with the replacement. Would be nice if Hsu offered some kind of comp for inconvenience but I don't know if I would count on it. Think an adjustment of your original freight cost to a 4-day rate would be appropriate on their part. Good luck and I hope things work out.

Graboid

Considering it took seven days to get it, an adjustment in the rate would be nice. But I have a bad feeling about this and it started with the failure of FedEx to deliver without a signature as requested last Friday. Then when it does arrive it's defective. I'm thinking ahead and predict it still does not work with the new amp. If that's the case it's gone!

apphd

Sorry to hear Graboid, hang in there, understand your frustration, but I think HSU will have you smiling.:)

Graboid

Well the new amp arrived today in less than 24 hours and all I can say is OMG! After a rough calibration of the system I sampled a couple of scenes from The Dark Knight blu-ray and it was earthshakingly good. I'm looking forward to tweaking it and getting the most out of it for all types of listening. One more time OMG!

Ron Temple

Glad things worked out. It's a good thing it was just the amp. When a box get's dropped bad things can happen to the driver/amp or box. Hsu's a great company and sometimes **** just happens.

apphd

Glad everything worked out. 24 hrs.......are you smiling now?;)
Enjoy

kingtut

Graboid, how about an update of your opinion on your new sub?

Graboid

Well Kingtut, I have to say I am extremely glad I went though all the troubles and stuck it out because my system has never sounded better, with earth rattling bass that is clean and tight. And the rosenut finish is superb!!! It took me several days to balance everything out and the enclosed CD with tones really helped a lot. I've never been so anxious to try out a wide variety of different music and movies to see how it will respond. So far it has really delivered.

kingtut

I got the VTF3.2, the previous generation of your current sub, and I am still very happy w/it. Mine is a black box w/the blue-lighted Hsu logo, so it's not much to look at. I keep it in a corner, on its side, under and end table to please the Mrs. Her first impression was "what a huge ugly looking box. Where are you going to hide it?"

Do you own a RadShack sound meter? It sounds even better after calibrating it up w/a sound meter. Congrats on your purchase.

Graboid

Yes, I have a Radio Shack analogue meter that I used to work everything out. I'm very pleased with it but regret that I have not watched anything yet that will showcase the real power. Maybe I can get around to watching something like Iron Man soon.

aghuey

Any updates on the sub?

Graboid

I have been really loving the new sub. In the last few weeks I've been watching a wide variety of movies and listening to lots of music and the HSU is blowing me away. Classical music is really taking on a new life with me, especially organ music. I have auditioned a number of Michael Murray organ discs on Telarc and they just shake the foundation of the house. And yesterday I cranked up the volume and watched the new blu-ray of Sin City and it was fantastic. I can't wait to crank something up tomorrow!!!