Hsu Research

VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer

27 total reviews

Regular price
$999.00
Regular price
$999.00
Sale price
$999.00

 

The new VTF-3 MK5 HP sets a new standard for high-end performance at an affordable price point. It’s earned its reputation as one of the best value ported 15" subwoofers on the market.

  • Customer favorite and best seller 
  • Smaller enclosure than the VTF-15H MK2 (4” less depth) and lighter, but nearly identical in performance for the majority of audio material
  • Plays significantly louder and cleaner in the deeper bass over the ULS-15 MK2 for just a small increase in price.
  • Output is equivalent to two VTF-2 MK5’s across the board at frequencies above 25 Hz 
  • Most inexpensive ported 15” subwoofer in our offerings (of 2)
  • Identical performance to the VTF-15H MK2 from 25 Hz on up
  • Considered one of the best value ported 15” subwoofers
  • For those who are worried about the size, it’s been designed to remain shorter than typical sofas so it can double as an end-table.
  • Offered in a smooth satin black painted finish
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
    VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer

    VTF-3 MK5 Overview

    More Product Details & FAQs

    More Product Specifications

    VTF-3 MK5 Frequency Response Curve - Ported (1 port open, EQ1)

    VTF-3 MK5 Frequency Response Curve - Ported (2 ports open, EQ2)

    VTF-3 MK5 Frequency Response - Sealed, EQ1

     

    CEA 2010 Measurements (1 Meter, Peak)

    * Subtract 9 dB for 2 meter, RMS measurement

    VTF-3 MK5 One Port Open:

    VTF-3 MK5 Two Ports Open:

    How we distinguish our products from others

    What distinguishes HSU from the rest is that we are an engineering driven company. This is reflected in the quality of our products.

    It is common for other companies to focus on cosmetics and marketing gimmicks. They follow the marketing adage to "sell the sizzle, not the steak". HSU is different. We focus on pure audio engineering and on building a better mousetrap. We obsessively concentrate on product performance and reliability. Each HSU product is carefully engineered by Dr. Hsu to provide "high-end" sound in its specified room type. High-end means the best of the best. We hope you will agree.

    Attention to customers is another differentiator. Dr. Hsu, founder of HSU, consults privately with customers on a daily basis. This demonstrates his commitment to product quality and home integration. There are few companies who can make that claim.

    30-day Satisfaction Guarantee

    If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you have 30 days from receiving the item to begin the return process. The customer is responsible for organizing return shipping and ensuring the safe transit of the product(s). We will refund the complete purchase price, minus any shipping charges, after our technicians review the return. The refund happens under four conditions: (1) all items must be in "like new" condition, (2) there must not be any missing items, (3) the product needs to be in transit back to Hsu Research within 30 of delivery (4) you must call us to receive an RMA number. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the item being refused, or you may be charged a 15% restocking fee. In the event that the item(s) returned arrives damaged, the customer is responsible for filing any claims with their courier. Package Orders: In the event that you receive the unit(s) damaged, a replacement unit(s) will be shipped out at no cost to you. However, if you decide to return the entire package, you will be responsible for all shipping and handling charges both ways for all returned items and the same terms as stated above will apply.

    If the shipment is rejected, or if the item is sent back to Hsu Research due to failed delivery, by no fault of Hsu Research, the customer will be responsible for shipping both ways.

    Hsu Research reserves the right to modify the 30-day tryout policy without notice.

    Fast, insured UPS Ground Shipping

    Products are normally shipped with low cost, insured, UPS Ground with signature required to any destination in the lower 48 states. Due to the cost of the item, we do prefer to send with signature required. However, if the customer would rather send the item with no signature required, the customer can request that in the comment section.  

    Note that for no signature required:
    1) Once the package is delivered, Hsu Research no longer assumes responsibility for the package.
    2)  Due to the value of the package, it is ultimately up to the UPS driver's discretion whether to require a signature or not.

    We cannot modify the signature requirement after shipping. If you want to have the signature requirement removed, you would need to inform us, in the comment section, when you place the order.

    Depending on the location, many items shipped can be held at a nearby UPS Store. Please contact sales@hsuresearch.com or check the UPS website to find the nearest location to you.

    Shipping times within the 48 states are typically 1-5 business days depending on the location. Note that shipping and delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Hsu Research is not responsible if the shipment is delayed. The day your order is shipped, your UPS tracking number will be emailed. For online orders, we also update your tracking page with the tracking information. If you do not receive it, be sure to check your spam folder, as some emails tend to end up there. If you are unable to locate the tracking number, give us a call or send us an email at sales@hsuresearch.com and we will be happy to provide you with the tracking info.

    For orders shipped outside of the contiguous United States, there will be an additional shipping and handling charge. Email sales@hsuresearch.com for a shipping quote.

    It is strongly recommended that you inspect the item as soon as it is delivered. If the item has arrived damaged, Hsu Research must be notified within 21 days of receiving the item.

    Do you offer a local pickup option?

    Yes, we offer local pickups. If you would like this option over shipping, please give our office a call. It's important to note that for local pickup, you won't be able to pay using PayPal. But all other forms of payment are acceptable.

    Industry Reviews

    "[HSU] consistently produces some of the best sounding subwoofers on the planet and get them into consumers' hands at a fraction of what it costs to own a competing sub.What do you get? You get low-distortion deep bass that nearly rivals the performance qualities of just about any great subwoofer on the market. You get an extreme amount of flexibility to set up and tune the response to your room and your tastes. This sub can shake your room as well as any other 15" sub out there and it sounds really good in doing that. And don't forget that the VTF-3 MK5 HP is a very flexible unit - you can dial in the response for just about any system and it can be re-adjusted if you move rooms or add new components to the mix.The Hsu VTF-3 MK5 HP sub is recommended for any home cinema enthusiast who has a real-world budget and even those who could spend more but don't need to because the Hsu gives them everything they want."

    Read full article.

    Jim Clements, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

    "Ever since its launch over five years ago, the Hsu Research VTF-3 mk5 remains one of the most consistently recommended subwoofers by audio enthusiasts and not without good reason. It offers both tremendous output as well as solid low-frequency extension down to 20Hz. But it is not just quantity of bass that is produced but very high-quality bass, so the sound is clean and linear with low-distortion as well as sharp with low group delay."

    Read Full Article

    James Larson, Audioholics, November 24, 2020

    "Put succinctly, this subwoofer is amazing. It wants for absolutely nothing and can hold its own with any product being sold for under a grand. When you consider all the tuning options, and realize the flexibility that affords, you quickly come to the conclusion it has few legitimate rivals. The HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP should be on your short list if both quality and quantity is what you're after."

    Read full article.

    Jim Wilson, Home Theater Shack

    "The performance of the Mk5 HP on subtle bass was at least as impressive as the performance during bigger bass moments.It would reproduce these incredibly loud, sometimes tortured-sounding bass events without the slightest hint that it was working hard....not going to leave my theatre room....someone with a relatively modest budget can possess a subwoofer so good that it's literally reference quality."

    Read full article.

    Doug Blackburn, Widescreen Review, 2015

    "I was hearing dynamic shadings in my low-frequency test recordings which I had never noticed before. The VTF-3 tracked bass instruments with a clear robust tone and uncanny accuracy. "

    "The VTF-3 MK5 HP shows a quite formidable capacity to really deliver the band where the real power and force in music live. It does so with great transparency and no overhang or overtones I could detect. Micro and Macro Dynamics were outstanding. How a bass string was plucked or bowed was conveyed in great detail and the “slam factor” was considerable. The way this subwoofer was able to enhance a specific sense of the volume in a specific venue increased the soundstage’s size considerably in all directions. This bestowed greater drama to cavernous concert venues but served intimate ones quite nicely as well."

    "On track after track, the contribution of the VTF-3 only elevated the scale and force of each piece of music in an organic and holistic manner. Grooves became more entraining and percussion gained a scary realism with precise image localization. Decays were as fast or slow as the real thing, the original, and the music’s sustain in particular had a power and correctness I’ve not heard before. Transients could be felt sharply throughout my body occasionally startling both me and my cats."

    “Considering the cost relative to its competitors, the VTF-3 MK5 HP is pretty much a no brainer of a buy if one gives the slightest consideration of its truly endearing audiophile quality. I can only say in conclusion that I don’t think I could do without this sub, so I bought it!”

    Hugh Mandeson, Audiophile Voice, Volume 17, No. 4

    "VTF-3 MK5 HP won the SECRETS Best Products of the Year for 2015 on "BEST SUBWOOFER UNDER $1000 AWARD"

    Secrets Best of Awards

    Customer Reviews

    Based on 27 reviews
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    R
    Ryan Neder
    Amazing and so so smooth.

    Easy to setup. Easy to tune. Sounds and feels amazing. Blends in well despite it's size. Would recommend.

    G
    Gerard Llamoso

    Blew me away

    M
    Micah Wall
    Fantastic subwoofer! one of the best, regardless of price.

    Really impressive subwoofer. packaging was top notch and this thing is extremely well built. regardless of price it is impressive, at the price point it cannot be beaten in output or quality of bass. Highly recommended

    R
    Robert McDonough
    Adequate bass

    I wanted to get the top of HSU's subwoofer line, but got tired of waiting to complete my system, Emotiva speakers, 5.1 system. We moved into a large, glorified studio apartment, bedroom separated by a 3/4's wall and kitchen l'd off from the main, large living area. So, I read the specs and decided to opt for the just under sub. My wife constantly tells me to turn down the sound when a movie produces an explosion or other loud noise. The bass produced is certainly adequate for my rather large space. I'm not sorry I didn't wait for the top of the line sub. Recommended. Only wish the sub had a piano black finish.

    B
    Barry Child
    Excellent product

    This item is incredible. I replaced a Velodyne 15" and this sounds so much better.

    Guarantees

    • Up to 7-Year Warranties

    • 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

    • Personalized Customer & Tech Support

    • Eco-friendly Energy Consumption