HELP!.. Santa is waiting!.. Rythmik FV12 vs Hsu VTF-2 M4

[JOMV]

Note: I'm VERY SORRY for the LOOOONG post. I'm just trying to cover every detail.

Hi everyone!!!. Recently, I was asking for a little subwoofer in order to match it to my current one. Big Daddy suggested the Lava, but when I was just about to place the order, I realized that my system is missing the lower frequencies because my current sub does not go below 38Hz. Theres are lots and lots of different threads of people comparing almost every subwoofer models that are a available. But I haven't been able to find a thread about the 2 subwoofers I'm interested to know about. I'll give you some details about what I've been working on for the last couple of months so you can have all the details. I moved to an apartment which has an extra room which is not a big room (10' Wide X 11' Long X 9' High). I'm going to use it as a dedicated home theater. I bought Denon AVR-2312ci receiver, a PS3, a 55" Led Samsung display, the Infinity Primus P363 Towers & PC351 Center. I have already had 2 speakers for surrounds and 2 of the same for front height (which I can use as height channels when the movie format allows it). I also bought some a acoustic foams to help with reflections. Now, I'm on the final stage: I want to find a new 12" subwoofer to combine with the one I have which is a 12" front firing powered made by MTX. It is ported with a frequency response of 38Hz -150Hz. I feel it is pretty powerful, but, I just wanted another one to improve the lower frequencies, and overall bass performance. As I said, this system will be used mostly for home theater and very little for music (maybe 75% HT / 25% Music). The following are some of the most important things that I'm trying to figure out in order to decide what to buy: (please, feel free to comment and or correct me if I'm wrong as I'm NO expert).

1) DOWN FIRING VS FRONT FIRING:
I have to say that I'm leaning for a front firing desing. I'm aware that low frequencies are non directional and that most everyone say there is no difference in performance between the two, but somehow I feel that it is more likely to feel the bass impact (chest impact on action movies) with a front firing sub as the speaker is aiming directly to the listener. Maybe it is just my preference or maybe I'm biased as my current sub is front firing.

2) PORTED VS SEALED:
I feel that ported subs are better for home theater because the port(s) allows the sub to go lower (closer to the 20Hz area) with more power and sealed subs are better for music as they are more accurate. Again, it might be just a matter of preference.

After some research and reading, I narrowed down my list of possible candidates to only two subs but I couldn't find threat about these two being directly compared and that is why I'm opening this thread. I suspect that it is possible that no one has both subs to make a true comparison. But I know this forum has many people with a lot of knowledge who can help me as I hope this thread helps those who are looking at the same two subwoofers.

***I'm looking for a sub that goes the deepest possible with authority in order to take advantage on those movies where the lower frequencies REALLY count.

As the title says, these subs are:

Option #1 - Rythmik's FV12 which is a ported 12" front firing powered subwoofer. I found some threads about this sub, but it was compares to some 15" subs. I don't think that's fair, but,.... Is this sub that good to be compared to a bigger one everytime?.

Link: http://rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html


Option #2 - Hsu's VTF-2 MK4 which is a ported/sealed (adjustable) 12" powered subwoofer. I really like the adjustability options on this one. I haven't been able to find a good review about it.

Link: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk4.html


The point is that I was set on the Rythmik until one of the guys (many thanks to Nick The Slick) suggested me to also take a look at the Hsu. I instantly liked that sub very much. I also liked it for being a ported one but with the option to make it a "sealed" one. That feature is interesting as Hsu claims that it gives the best of both worlds by giving you both setting options. Maybe some one who has it might tell us if it really works.

The thing is that I don't know if down firing subs offer a real benefit over the front firing. Many say no to that, but I think there must be a reason for that other than just plain design. Again, maybe it is just my way of thinking.

To finally wrap this up, my main concern is getting the best one reproducing the lower frequencies and with the best accuracy. Movies have lots of content down low (between 20Hz - 40Hz) and I don't want to keep myself away from that experience anymore.

Which one do you think will fit my purpose the best???
Please, help me compare them as I need to talk to Santa!

Many thanks in advance to all of you, and again, sorry for the long post!!!

[pedromvu]

I have a FV12, i don't have much experience with subs, but it sounds really good, it sure can shake the house without distorting, but it seems FV12 has long time being out of stock, so for almost the same money I don't think there is any reason to wait for it, since HSU is a well known quality brand too, and i'm sure it should be on par with FV12 if not better.

[Raynist]

Originally Posted by JOMV

Note: I'm VERY SORRY for the LOOOONG post. I'm just trying to cover every detail.

Hi everyone!!!. Recently, I was asking for a little subwoofer in order to match it to my current one. Big Daddy suggested the Lava, but when I was just about to place the order, I realized that my system is missing the lower frequencies because my current sub does not go below 38Hz. Theres are lots and lots of different threads of people comparing almost every subwoofer models that are a available. But I haven't been able to find a thread about the 2 subwoofers I'm interested to know about. I'll give you some details about what I've been working on for the last couple of months so you can have all the details. I moved to an apartment which has an extra room which is not a big room (10' Wide X 11' Long X 9' High). I'm going to use it as a dedicated home theater. I bought Denon AVR-2312ci receiver, a PS3, a 55" Led Samsung display, the Infinity Primus P363 Towers & PC351 Center. I have already had 2 speakers for surrounds and 2 of the same for front height (which I can use as height channels when the movie format allows it). I also bought some a acoustic foams to help with reflections. Now, I'm on the final stage: I want to find a new 12" subwoofer to combine with the one I have which is a 12" front firing powered made by MTX. It is ported with a frequency response of 38Hz -150Hz. I feel it is pretty powerful, but, I just wanted another one to improve the lower frequencies, and overall bass performance. As I said, this system will be used mostly for home theater and very little for music (maybe 75% HT / 25% Music). The following are some of the most important things that I'm trying to figure out in order to decide what to buy: (please, feel free to comment and or correct me if I'm wrong as I'm NO expert).

1) DOWN FIRING VS FRONT FIRING:
I have to say that I'm leaning for a front firing desing. I'm aware that low frequencies are non directional and that most everyone say there is no difference in performance between the two, but somehow I feel that it is more likely to feel the bass impact (chest impact on action movies) with a front firing sub as the speaker is aiming directly to the listener. Maybe it is just my preference or maybe I'm biased as my current sub is front firing.

2) PORTED VS SEALED:
I feel that ported subs are better for home theater because the port(s) allows the sub to go lower (closer to the 20Hz area) with more power and sealed subs are better for music as they are more accurate. Again, it might be just a matter of preference.

After some research and reading, I narrowed down my list of possible candidates to only two subs but I couldn't find threat about these two being directly compared and that is why I'm opening this thread. I suspect that it is possible that no one has both subs to make a true comparison. But I know this forum has many people with a lot of knowledge who can help me as I hope this thread helps those who are looking at the same two subwoofers.

***I'm looking for a sub that goes the deepest possible with authority in order to take advantage on those movies where the lower frequencies REALLY count.

As the title says, these subs are:

Option #1 - Rythmik's FV12 which is a ported 12" front firing powered subwoofer. I found some threads about this sub, but it was compares to some 15" subs. I don't think that's fair, but,.... Is this sub that good to be compared to a bigger one everytime?.

Link: http://rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html


Option #2 - Hsu's VTF-2 MK4 which is a ported/sealed (adjustable) 12" powered subwoofer. I really like the adjustability options on this one. I haven't been able to find a good review about it.

Link: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk4.html


The point is that I was set on the Rythmik until one of the guys (many thanks to Nick The Slick) suggested me to also take a look at the Hsu. I instantly liked that sub very much. I also liked it for being a ported one but with the option to make it a "sealed" one. That feature is interesting as Hsu claims that it gives the best of both worlds by giving you both setting options. Maybe some one who has it might tell us if it really works.

The thing is that I don't know if down firing subs offer a real benefit over the front firing. Many say no to that, but I think there must be a reason for that other than just plain design. Again, maybe it is just my way of thinking.

To finally wrap this up, my main concern is getting the best one reproducing the lower frequencies and with the best accuracy. Movies have lots of content down low (between 20Hz - 40Hz) and I don't want to keep myself away from that experience anymore.

Which one do you think will fit my purpose the best???
Please, help me compare them as I need to talk to Santa!

Many thanks in advance to all of you, and again, sorry for the long post!!!

What is your max budget for this purchase?

[Mr.Twinks]

Newegg had the Klipsch Rw12d for $299. Buy two and call it a day!

[theJman]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I have a FV12, i don't have much experience with subs, but it sounds really good, it sure can shake the house without distorting, but it seems FV12 has long time being out of stock

It's actually not out of stock, it's out of production, so they aren't available for purchase any longer. The replacement sub -- called the LV12R -- should be released soon.