One Vandersteen V2W For Set-up

[moviebluedog]

I have a pair of Vandersteen VLR CT speakers which I love. They are paired with a pair of Hsu Research 12-inch subwoofers. I plan on replacing the Hsu's with at least one Vandersteen V2W subwoofer. 

In my listening environment, which is a small family room, my TV, audio components and speakers are located in an indented space which is 10 feet wide and about four feet deep. The VLR CTs are on speaker stands sitting upon the subwoofers. I don't have a shelf for the speakers yet.

Would one V2W's bass in this small area sound linear as a pair of subwoofers would? I realize that two subs are better and more linear than one, but my budget says otherwise for now.

[Richard Vandersteen]

6 minutes ago, moviebluedog said:

I have a pair of Vandersteen VLR CT speakers which I love. They are paired with a pair of Hsu Research 12-inch subwoofers. I plan on replacing the Hsu's with at least one Vandersteen V2W subwoofer. 

In my listening environment, which is a small family room, my TV, audio components and speakers are located in an indented space which is 10 feet wide and about four feet deep. The VLR CTs are on speaker stands sitting upon the subwoofers. I don't have a shelf for the speakers yet.

Would one V2W's bass in this small area sound linear as a pair of subwoofers would? I realize that two subs are better and more linear than one, but my budget says otherwise for now.

The V2W will not work you want to use the SUB THREE or 2Wq as the V2W does not have a low-pass filter built in.  The V2W is designed exclusively for A/V systems where the low pass is provided within the Processor, because of this voice will leak from the V2W, not good.   Some rooms do very well with one sub that has room EQ but one would need to try it to know.  RV

[moviebluedog]

Thank you, Richard. Glad I posted this question.

My preamplifier is a Schiit Syn which handles 5.1 and stereo sound. The preamp has a main output to my Schiit Vidar amplifier, RCA outputs to an external amp for surrounds, as well as a center channel and a subwoofer output. There is only one RCA input on the Syn. Would this preamp still work with a Sub Three?

[stratocaster]

@moviebluedog this set up will work as long as you know what the input impedance of your amp is and you get the matching crossovers required for the sub. Having said that the 2WQ (or SUB THREE) blows the nuts off of Hsu subs and I have had die hard Hsu fanatics admit that they don't hear true musical bass with their subs as they do with the Vandy's. It all depends on what your preference is so make sure you hear the sub before you buy it.

Also having one HSU and one Vandersteen might not be a good idea. Get rid of the HSU and leave the Vandersteen and you will get better results.

Edited October 25, 2024 by stratocaster

[Richard Vandersteen]

11 hours ago, moviebluedog said:

Thank you, Richard. Glad I posted this question.

My preamplifier is a Schiit Syn which handles 5.1 and stereo sound. The preamp has a main output to my Schiit Vidar amplifier, RCA outputs to an external amp for surrounds, as well as a center channel and a subwoofer output. There is only one RCA input on the Syn. Would this preamp still work with a Sub Three?

I don't know anything about these units, so I defer to the various owner's manuals.  RV

[GdnrBob]

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

the 2WQ (or SUB THREE) blows the nuts off of Hsu subs

+1 @stratocaster. I have a pair of Hsu Subs with my VLR's and they do work well with them, but compared to Vandy Subs, the integration just isn't as seamless.

 

4 hours ago, stratocaster said:

Get rid of the HSU and leave the Vandersteen and you will get better results.

I wouldn't go that far. I do think the Hsu adds that little bit of bass extension to flesh things out.-Though, when placed near corners, the VLR's do have a pretty good bass response.

 

@moviebluedog, I was not aware Schitt made a home theater preamp. It must be new. I have to say they do make some pretty good stuff at reasonable prices.

Bob

[moviebluedog]

@stratocaster Thanks for your feedback. The Hsu Research subs are from my former speaker system, also by Hsu. For what it's worth, the subs sound very good but Vandersteen is my go-to.  I'm seeking a better and more accurate blend with my VLR CTs when the budget allows.

[moviebluedog]

@GdnrBob Hey Bob! Always fun to hear from you here. The Syn is a big surprise in how it sounds on both home theater and stereo. The Syn blows away any AVR I've had and surprisingly sounds better than any preamp or integrated preamp I've had. Through the VLR CTs, sound is very clean and more pure sounding. Even some streaming apps sound pretty darned good through the Syn/Vandersteen combo. 

[stratocaster]

@moviebluedog @GdnrBob I have used the 2WQ and the V2 W with an A/V receiver and the problem is that in most A/V receivers in order to get the full potential of the 2WQ, the front speakers have to be setup as large so that the receiver doesn’t cut off the signal below 80hz. When you set the speakers as large then the receiver sends only very low frequencies to the  HT subwoofer through the subwoofer out channel.

Setting the speakers up as small has the reverse effect.

That was one of the reasons for suggesting that the HSU can be taken out without any  loss of sound.

Edited October 25, 2024 by stratocaster

[moviebluedog]

@stratocaster Thanks!

With the Schiit Syn, there aren't any menus or settings for large or small speakers. Whatever goes from my source components carries through the Syn without processing. I believe the Syn is nearly all analog inside except for the optical and USB-C output/input.

I found listening through my original Marantz AVR sounded compromised. The Syn opened up the sound on movies and stereo music (AIFF, SACD, high resolution 96/24, etc.) a lot over the AVR. Once I installed the VLR CTs, talk about a difference. Music was far more engaging and dimensional (depending on the recording).

But I hear you on the Vandersteen subs for sure. A friend of mine had an entirely Vandersteen system and it was incredible.

[SBlackman]

5 hours ago, moviebluedog said:

@GdnrBob Hey Bob! Always fun to hear from you here. The Syn is a big surprise in how it sounds on both home theater and stereo. The Syn blows away any AVR I've had and surprisingly sounds better than any preamp or integrated preamp I've had. Through the VLR CTs, sound is very clean and more pure sounding. Even some streaming apps sound pretty darned good through the Syn/Vandersteen combo. 

Are we driving multiple speakers with multiple Vidars or are you using primarily as a 2-Chanel Set up? Certainly seems like it would be a great two-channel solution. Not sure I could afford multiple Vidars to fill out the other channels, however 😂 (my listening space also supports occasional HT usage).

[moviebluedog]

@SBlackman Hello S.

I am driving my 4.2 speaker system through one Vidar. I don't have a center channel as the space my is small.

The Syn splits up the multi-channel sound when playing 4K/Blu-ray/DVD or streaming. I have a small Schiit Gjallarhorn amplifier driving the rear channels.

I can also listen to 2-channel stereo through the Syn/Vidar setup. I can even play 2-channel with surround channels through the Syn. For movies, it's not Dolby Atmos or 20.10 channel sound (or whatever configuration can be done now), but it sounds excellent particularly through the VLR CTs.