I own two VTF-3 Mk5's, that I have setup as my main Left and Right Channel Stereo Subwoofers (augmenting my loudspeakers).
I have also owned SVS subs (PB13-Ultra, PB12-NSD) as well as Power Sound Audio subs, and the Seaton Submersive.
I also own VTF-15 Mk2 (two), the original VTF-2 (two), and have previously owned VTF-1 and VTF-3 Mk3.
I would say that compared to the other brands above HSU is certainly one of the leaders of the pack - particularly for music - but most importantly for me, HSU is the world's best subwoofer manufacturer for home theatre/music combined use, for the prices they cost. Ie, other brands may sound similar, (or inferior), but on average in my experience HSU is the best value out of all of them. They provide simply fantastic sounding subwoofers, for the low price they cost.
I am not familiar with the newer SVS offerings (vs. those I've owned above), but all the HSU models referred above are superior for music to both SVS' I owned. (Yes, even the PB13-Ultra, which can't hold a candle to ANY of the HSU's for music even the cheapest HSU's) - although, the PB was superior for home theatre but, so it should be - we are talking a $2,000USD subwoofer vs HSU's models above all at either $1000USD or substantially less than $1,000USD). It is unfair to even compare them. All I'll say is I went from dual SVS PB13-Ultra's to HSU VTF-15 Mk2's and could not be happier - the improvement in music playback was out of this world. I am a 50/50 home theatre & music listener, and, for a 50/50 listener, the VTF's are just outstanding sounding subwoofers for their cost, and I am extremely fussy when it comes to bass. Quality is critical to me. Quantity less so.
The 15 inch VTF HSU's have an interesting tuning feature called "Q-Control" which allows you to adjust the bass tightness to your preference. A warning though, which option you choose will impact on your output levels. Q 0.3 is the tightest setting, 0.5 has a bit more emphasis, and 0.7 maximises the "fullness" of the bass' quality. It depends on what you like, and to reiterate, 0.7 produces the highest decibel-output so for home theatre nuts keep this in mind - I run my VTF-15 Mk2 LFE subs at 0.7 and would never have it any either way, because for LFE channel, decibel output is KING.
However:
I run my VTF-3 Mk5's (two) as my Stereo music subwoofers (crossed over between 46-48hz) running off my Front L&R stereo speakers and, in this config, I am far more fussy. I tried the 'midpoint' setting of Q0.5 and this sounded quite 'full' and more rich in nature - quite lovely and impressive - this theoretically would be the best balance-setting for my system, because my system is integrated music/home theatre. But .. when I tried Q0.3, I was sold. I couldn't go back to Q0.5. Q0.3 produced tight, deep bass, but most importantly, "fast" bass. On fast basslines, Q0.3 just sounded like magic - seamless, never drawing attention to itself, blending perfectly with the main speakers but, when a deep note hits, "BANG", you feel it right through the floorboards. Just perfect. Again, I am penalising myself in this setting in terms of decibel output (this is confirmed by official reviews and measurement of this sub) : Q0.3 produced -1.0 to -1.5db in output across the board (20hz to 40hz) less, compared to Q0.5 in my room ; a loss I am willing to accept, to achieve this perfection in 'blend' I now have for music. Wow.
I can only hope one day the good Dr. Hsu may be able to bring himself to "lay down the gauntlet", and produce a sub that can represent all the wonderful knowledge he possesses in this space, not so much at a "cost no object" price (that would not be fun, or financially accessible for most), but noting the price of the venerable SVS PB13-Ultra referred above @ $2,000USD, I wonder what the Dr. could achieve in an HSU sub at this price. Still expensive, but, not beyond the reach of mere mortals. One day, I hope he takes us to that next level. Wouldn't that be something.
Congrats to the HSU team on their wonderful suite of subs.
