PERFORMANCE
"Effortless" is the first word in my listening notes for the VTF-15H, and it's one that came to mind over and over again. None of the toughest bass tests I know of, including the opening scene of Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, the depth-charge scene in U-571, and pipe-organ showcases such as Jongen's "Symphony Concertante," and Saint-Saëns' "Symphony No. 3," could faze the VTF-15H. Despite the fact that these tracks contain some of the most intense low bass I've heard (as low as 16 Hz on "Symphony No. 3"), the VTF-15H coasted through them as easily as if they were solo flute recordings.
To sum it up, the listener will distort (i.e., throbbing head, aching eardrums, bruises inflicted by aggrieved cohabitants) before the VTF-15H does. In terms of sheer output, it's the most capable subwoofer I've tested. If the VTF-15H can't shake your couch, your name must be Fred Flintstone.
Not only was the output incredible, the entertainment experience it delivered was singular. I felt the spaceship explosion that opens Attack of the Clones in my chest, the same way you feel it when the driver of a semi-trailer truck starts his engine as you're walking by. Movies, especially, benefited from this seemingly direct interface between the subwoofer and the listener's body; action-movie scenes became much more involving and entertaining.
My adjustments and tweaks got the VTF-15H singing the wonderful, melodic bass lines from Steely Dan's "Aja," pulsing with the English Beat's "Hands Off She's Mine" and perfectly plucking out the delicate lines of jazz virtuoso Marc Johnson on my vinyl record of the Bill Evans/Toots Theilemans collaboration Affinity. However, while I'd rate the VTF-15H a little above average in pitch definition, subtlety, and detail, I have heard a few subs that sound more melodic. Given that many of the big bruiser subs out there aren't terribly musical (and cost a lot more), the VTF-15H's achievement in this case is as surprising and impressive as a WWF wrestler dancing "Swan Lake."
I've owned 3 subs. Started with an SVS 12 inch that was a good solid sub but had modest output. Then moved to a Elemental Designs A5-350 15 incher. Awesome sub, very good output and tight! But its strength lay in solid punches at certain frequencies.
Now I own this bad boy. VTF-15H. WOW. What a difference. This thing not only goes lower and louder but equally important - is smooth and wide throughout the entire low end range.
You will not be disappointed if you choose this sub. I'm still amazed it wasn't priced higher.
-K
I'm finding reviews of this sub to be very inconsistent. This is not a knock on this review at all. But I kind of expected this review to be similiar of the review over at audioholics considering how very unforgiving it was, which isn't a knock on that review, but I just expected this review to sound the same and it didnt.
I expected something to be similar to be said of this subwoofer considering how unforgiving Paul at audioholics was when he assessed this subs performance and components. Great to know this sub is capable of pleasing anaudio nut such as Brent though.
Brent could it be that your rooms sound reproducing factor is better and more suitable to subwoofers than someone else's which is why you enjoyed this sub soo much?
@v_squared123: That is certainly possible, although with proper setup a good sub should sound good in almost any room of reasonable dimensions (i.e., not square). I am quite confident that Audioholics' writers have good rooms and would set up their test sample properly. Audioholics is certainly entitled to their opinion, and you should consider what they have to say, but I think if you look at all the reviews out there you'll see that most consider the VTF-15H unbeatable at the price. There are a couple of SVS models I've tested that I like a little better, but they are considerably more expensive (partly because they have much more sophisticated, DSP-based electronics). For the price of a lot of competing subs, you could buy two VTF-15Hs - provided, of course, you have the space for them.