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Whatta Ya Think About Hsu Research Subwoofers?

I’m in the market to add one or possibly two subwoofers to my stereo set-up.  I would like to spend $1,000 or less per unit, and that puts some of the higher-rated units out of reach.  I came across an ad for Hsu, which I had not heard of before.  I didn’t want a Chinese product and it turns out that Hsu Research is based in California and founded by Dr. Hsu, who has a Ph.D from MIT.  Audio reviewer Steve Gutenberg gave one Hsu product a positive review.  I was wondering if any of you have experience with Hsu and could share your impressions/recommendations with me.

My existing set—up is:  Parasound P5 pre-amp with Parasound A21 amp;  Martin Logan 60XT tower loudspeakers.  Thanks!
bob540
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,986 posts
 
@bob540, I have a pair of the original passive (no plate amp, but a passive x/o proving low-pass filtering is included) HSU sub, the HRSW10 (Rosewood veneer). They’ve been in storage for years, and I just pulled them out of their cartons. The foam surround on the 10" woofer in each sub has disintegrated (damn California air pollution ;-), but all else is fine. HSU has replacement woofers, so if you want the HRSW10’s cheap, let me know and I’ll list them.
bob540 OP
416 posts
 
bdp24,
I’m not familiar with those subs.  I looked them up and they appear to be from early 1990’s?  I have thus far only looked at powered subs — what are the difference issues involved in using powered vs. passive subwoofers?  

Also, one old forum I visited had a commenter (might have been Dr. Hsu himself!) who said the cost of replacing the subwoofers in old units might be close to the cost of new subwoofers. I would need more info. before deciding if I am interested in your HRSW 10’s.
bob540 OP
416 posts
 
I see they are cylinders.  So all the music is from down-firing speaker rather than from the sides?  Or does sound emanate from the sides and bottom.  I suppose I would need to get a separate amplifier to power them . . . or could my Parasound amp power them?   
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
610 posts
 
IMHO the best subs they make are the  VTF-15H MK2.

You really need two, located properly in the room, but they mate better than any other model I was able to audition.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,986 posts
 
Yep Bob, the 10" woofer is down-firing, the cylindrical enclosure sitting on tall spikes which raise it off the floor. A Parasound amp will be fine with them, and as I said the subs came with a passive x/o, so no extra electronics are required. The two woofers can be replaced, or even just re-coned, which I was thinking of doing. I don't know what the price to have that done would be. 
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