Sorry, no I haven't; it's not slated for a Secrets review. I would ping TV directly; he'll give you the straight scoop on the differences between the two. Regards, Ed
Well when you consider that dual colocated subwoofers adds 6 dB, it puts things in better perspective. Remember, the woofer is the same, the enclosure is a bit bigger, and the tuning point is lower, with a bit more port area. So don't expect the PB12-ISDv to outperform the PB12-Plus or anything...
Hi Eddie: Well, I already reviewed the STF-2 and the PB10-ISD; the reviews are hotlinked in my signature block. I heard the STF-1 at CES 2005 and was impressed with the output and SQ; if $300 is the absolute budget limit, I would lean toward that model. I haven't heard the Dayton, but...
Down to about 23 Hz the PB12-ISD should basically hold its own against the PB12-ISDv. Below 23 Hz, the PB12-ISDv will exhibit a progressively greater advantage; I'd estimate 1-4 dB (with 4 dB being at 18 Hz). So you might see an "average" increase of 2-3 dB in the 18-22 Hz region.
In order for the woofer to really benefit from an increase in additional port area, some significant port compression would need to be occuring in the existing product. SVS never felt the single 4" flared port was inadequate for the ISD woofer, so I really doubt there will be any huge output...
Outdoor measurements are best, certainly. I try to test outdoors when I can, but in upstate NY, that's about 5 months of decent weather. The next comparo or shoot-out - if it occurs within the next few months - will have outdoor measurements included. Maybe I'll build a little testing...
Never hurts to double check, no offense intended. I trust you received my PM? If so, I look forward to receiving your STF-2 and I will share all test data with you, and I hope you do the same so we can compare FR and THD notes under identical test conditions. I will test the STF-2 in exactly the...
How unfortunate. I replied immediately to your PM last week. I will resend my reply to you at once. You will note my original reply was probably within 30 minutes of receipt. Sounds like HTF was responsible for that glitch. Please check your PM mailbox. Finally, I have a question regarding...
Hi Poh Ser: When I compared these two products, the weather in upstate New York was not conducive to outdoor measurements. I found an indoor near-field test location that provided a very flat, quasi-anechoic FR for both subwoofers. I measured frequency response and THD in that test...
Spin Doctor: A person responsible for assuring that others interpret an event from a particular point of view. (sigh) I suppose it's time I responded to this post.
Perhaps Hsu Research should then simply omit the 0/180 phase switch on all of its subwoofers and ask users to rely solely on...
The idea is to have both Craig and I involved in setting up and generating the test data. In addition to testing the VTF-3 under exactly the same near field and in-room conditions as the STF-3, if the weather cooperates we'll break out the ground plane stuff and have some fun outside, too...
No question about it. Assuming the new tune point is approximately 20 Hz with a port plugged, THD limited output has to increase at 20 Hz as opposed to two ports open. Cone excursion will be considerably damped since the resonator is functioning optimally at that frequency. Yes, frequency...
Actually guys, I made a lot of changes to this report in direct response to constructive criticism from Hsu-philes. 1) I revised and clarified the amplifier feature descriptions, including adding the range of the low pass filter control, and better explaining the whole concept of EQ and...
I'm not sure where anyone got that impression. The last two subwoofers I owned each have a native 25 Hz tune point. If I valued ultra deep bass that much, I would have a pair of 16-46PC+ in my HT room. Personally, if I were an STF-3 owner, I'd run it with both ports open because the 2-3 dB...
I agree Curtis, I think many of us had this misconception (including myself) a few years back. There is a big difference between the amount of EQ and total amp power a (for example) Sunfire needs to achieve high SPL, versus the amp power required for the big, highly efficient SVS cylinder. I...
Edit: I posted this before I had a chance to read the posts from Ron and Tom, but here it is anyway: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ Yes, the "tune switch" on the vari-tune powered SVS models actually has two features: 1) A custom EQ curve designed to optimize...
As for plugging a port on the STF-3. It's already been done for kicks, but I did not publish the data. The STF-3 is not designed to be operated with a port plugged, unless the consumer bought one of the early production models that were mistakenly built with the 20 Hz EQ circuit in the amp. In...
Yes, at any given time there were a few guys floating around the HT room during the review process; it's catch is as catch can around here - stuff like this takes weeks to get through with other family obligations; I'll be lucky to get one DVD time stamped and measured each night for the...
Well, the test data (FR, THD, SPL peaks) will not be biased. I work hard to ensure that, and can reproduce it for a 3rd party. Perceptions of sound quality is inherently subjective anyway, as you stated above. For a shoot-out involving a brand I already own...yes, there "could" be the...
Well, you opined that calling one sub a winner in a shoot-out was ridiculous. I disagree, and my point was that competition and winning/losing is heavily ingrained in our culture, and American's simply love shoot-outs and competition in all facets of their lives, but especially when it comes to...
Wow - step out for a burger and a movie (Last Samurai) and all hell breaks loose! Well, it appears we've come full circle on this issue. :) There is no such thing as a "magic carpet". It cannot improve deep extension or THD scores. It does not absorb bass frequencies. In fact the published...
With the exception of the B4-Plus, every SV subwoofer is a down-firing design that utilizes a baseplate. It has become a signature look for SVS, certainly. The baseplate isn't commonly used because it costs considerably more than spikes. SVS feels it is worth it, so they use it. 1) It...
I would not make that assumption, Cam. And you also characterized me as an "expert" in an earlier post; something I certainly never claimed. Please don't make statements about me like that; taken in context, those comments are bordering on inflammatory and don't contribute to the thread...
Hi Cam: If I had tested the sub on a hard floor with no means of isolation, I don't think that would have been fair to Hsu or the STF-3. But I did isolate the sub from the floor with rubber cups and prevented it from buzzing and wandering. That effectively accomplished the same thing as a...
Hi Cam: Yes, I did experience buzzing and sub wandering on the laminate floor, so I installed some rubber furniture cups underneath the spiked plastic feet to de-couple the STF-3 from the floor. Worked like a charm, and totally stopped the bad vibes and the wandering. To be as fair, I...
A heartfelt thanks, Ron. Getting the test rig to generate truly accurate data both from an absolute and a relative stand point was very challenging, but totally worth it. If the test data doesn't stand up to independent scrutiny, it's worthless. These might be the "budget" offerings from SVS...
Mega-ditto's Craig - none of us review gear for the pay - LOL! If that was the case, I'd be lying in the street gutter asking for handouts. It's a good thing we have "real" jobs and this stuff is just a serious hobby. You know what they say, the only difference between men and boys is the price...
Are you kidding? You guys all rule. Sharing information, learning, raising the bar, and making friends - this is what it's all about. Thank God super high quality forums like HTF exist; it's just incredible what HTF has done for our hobby.