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In Reply to: HSU Home Theatre speakers? posted by davehg on February 22, 2005 at 22:37:59:
I just installed the 5 speaker Ventriloquist system for my teenage son in his A/V/gaming system. He already had the STF 2 subwoofer. When I was Christmas shopping last year in CompUSA, they had the VT12 system on sale for $130, so I picked it up. Since he also upgraded to a Harmon Kardon 235 receiver, we ordered an extra satellite speaker from HSU for $40.He needed a near-field setup for his X-box and other games, so I figured the single driver design of the VT12 satellites would work well. His room is 12x16x8; we placed the L/R speakers 4' apart, on 36" pole stands, center speaker on top of his 27" HDTV (with extra support from the back wall), 5' away from the seating position. The sides are at 90 degrees @7'away; the rears are 130 degrees @10' away from seating. Using cheapo WalMart wall mounts for the sides/rears.
The HSU system has the mid-bass drivers of the L/C/R speakers integrated into the center cabinet. When I first setup the L/C/R, and played some HQ cds, I was pretty impressed with the sound, only once did I hear a particular note "honk" out of the center, that should of been intergraded with the sound stage. The ventriloquist blending effect is audible as close as 2' away from the center.
The sides and rears don't have the bass extension, and it shows. I set the receiver's x-overs at 80Hz for L/C/R, 100 Hz. for sides and rears (Dr. HSU stated I could go even higher). The sides, pointed towards the center, gave a good surround effect. The rears, using a DD plus pro logic IIx combination from the HK receiver was pretty much a waste of effort. But the rears are 10' away from the seating position; max distance standard I've read should be 4-6'. The HK has a 7 channel stereo mode, which outputs L/R through all speakers. This works great for background "dancin' round the room" music.
I use a combination music/HT system of Thiel L/Rs, Def Tech. center and bipolar sides, and HSU sub for my main system, so that's what I had to compare with (at 10 times the price of the VT12s) I think if the HSU system had more room to breath, it probably would of done better. BTW, my son is happy with the speakers, they should be fine until he is ready to spend the $$$ on something better.
I would actually recommend this system more for a budget starter music system. If your existing HT system has any kind of bass extension in the surrounds, you may not be satisfied with the HSUs. Have to say the STF sub is an excellent value (we also got it from CompUSA on sale). There are quite a few great reveiws on these speakers, see the HSU web site. YMMV and they do have a 30 day return policy. If you have a local CompUSA, check them out first.
I was thinking of upgrading to Maggies for my main HT system, now I'm pretty sure I would not be satisfied with using their MMG-Ws as surrounds, since they only go down to 120hz.
- http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=a87ec43f4ae1bbb79c635c74b883eb8f&f=39 (Open in New Window)
Follow Ups:
I decided to try them out anyway, what with the return policy. I ordered the VTF-2 MK II sub along with them VT-12's. Ordered on Tuesday, received them on Friday. The packing was impressive, double boxed on the sub. I have not hooked up the rears yet, only center and fronts and subs.The HSU's replace a nicer 5 ch. Paradigm system. On DVD video, I am happy with the system. Big sound, good imaging, and HSU seems to have struck a nice balance: no bright hissy highs, solid midrange. I auditioned the Infinity, the Velodyne, and the Energy systems in the same price range ($700-800 w/sub) and for video, the HSU seems to be a contender. I recall the Monitor Audio and JM Labs systems sounded nicer in the mids and highs, but they were also a lot more.
The Ventriloquist feature is nice when used on DVD and tv; it is odd when used on 2ch audio (sounds like some kind of phasey "Carver" effect).
With stereo tv broadcasts, most of the sound comes from the center. The HSU system is just ok. On music...well, I agree with everything you said. It is nice only as far as having background music, but not as good as the Paradigm speakers, and not even in the ballpark of my Merlin/REL setup (nor should it be at 1/6th the price). It reminds me of a really good clock radio (but with way better bass). I'll try Xbox tomorrow to see how it handles gaming sounds.
The sub is certainly the bargain here; it trounces the Paradigm it replaced. Bass is tight, not at all boomy (even stuck in the corner), and nicely integrated.
I'll post a longer review once I've played with them more. Since I really intended it only for video, I may end up keeping it as it makes movies sound great. Besides, what else could I get for $199!?! Definately keeping the sub!
We also tried using the stereo outputs from his TV to the VTs, sounded bad enough that I removed the interconnects not to waste them there.As the owner of a very old and dependable HSU sub, I have to respect Dr. H's work. The VT system is a lot like many of the other budget sat/sub system, not much more than repackaged computer speakers. And just as computer speakers have their place, I guess these do too. They got my son into surround sound much sooner than he expected.
If you do send the sats back, keep the sub. I feel you can't do much better at that price range.
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