I'd recommend the AS-F2 fronts(larger towers rated to
35hz), AS-F1 rears(small towers give better bass and
take up the same floorspace as a bookself and a stand).


Have you done level-matched AB comparisons between these
various systems? I always make sure to do that with any
systems I review for magazine reports. I certainly would not
solidly recommend any speakers that I had not treated that
way.

I've done it with the older Mirage FRx speakers at
a couple of stores. They discontinued the FRx, but
seem to have reintroduced them in the Athena(and taken
the modular Athenas off the market, sadly)

The HSU VTF-3 is $699, but would be appropriate, IMO.

I reviewed that unit in Volume 8, issue 4 of The Audiophile
Voice. Very nice subwoofer. Very powerful. Down to 25 Hz the
smaller VTF-2 can match it at reasonably output levels, and
the still smaller STF-1 can match it down to 30 Hz, although
we are not talking high outputs. Below are the "clean" max
outputs (with test tones) of each of four Hsu subs and
several others in my main room at the same locations:

Sure. The VTF-2 also would work. But a 100W sub isn't
enough(STF-1 or simmilar). I'd go up a level.

31.5 Hz 20 Hz

TN1220 113 dB 106 dB
VTF-3 (20 Hz plug) 112 dB 100 dB
VTF-2 (25 Hz plug) 106 dB 90 dB
STF-1 103 dB 80 dB
Velodyne F1800 114 dB 110 dB
Velodyne HGS-15 110 dB 104 dB
Velodyne FSR-12 104 dB 97 dB
Paradigm Servo 15 112 dB 110 dB

Nice chart - thanks

20hz @ 80db just isn't going to compete with the
five other speakers, IMO. I'd want 100db or better
in order to handle movie effects with somewhat
decent SPL. But, I guess I'm really into impact
in movies.

There are also quite a few other models I have measured, but
these are ones that might interest you.

I still like the VTF-3 for the price. It gets the job
done and is a lot less expensive(and not a sluggish 15 incher)
than the Velodynes.


That's why I recommended the VTF-3. I really do like the HSU
subs, but the SFT-1 is inderpowered with the speakers I
recommended.

See my above measurements. Even Hsu himself is impressed
with and shocked by the performance of the STF-1, and it is
his design!

I suppose the VTF-2 would work as well, but
the budget can afford it, and IMO, it pays to buy a good
sub and amplifier if you can, as they are the most expensive
components in most systems anyways.

In a head to head music face off, I doubt if anyone could
hear the difference between the VTF-2 and a Velodyne servo
FSR-12.

See my comments on Velodyne $1000+ for a sub is
silly.