Whatta Ya Think About Hsu Research Subwoofers?

Hello rocray,

     Yes, 3-4 subs properly positioned and configured in a room qualifies as what's called a distributed bass array (DBA) system that's been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective sub-based bass solutions that can also be utilized in any room and with any pair of main speakers, even those very fast and detailed speakers considered very difficult to integrate subs with such as planar-magnetic and electrostatic type speakers.
     In my experience, a3-4 sub DBA system will perform and sound about twice as good as utilizing a pair of subs. Adding 1-2 subs to a pair of subs and positioning them in a distributed bass array configuration results in a further improvement in bass performance in terms of speed, smoothness, detail, power, impact and dynamics.  It will also extend this near state of the art bass performance  throughout the entire room, not just at a single listening position as is the case with using a pair of subs. 
     I utilize a 4-sub DBA complete kit system, an Audio Kinesis Debra system, with results I find very accurately described in this Absolute Sound review of the Audio Kinesis Swarm 4-sub DBA complete kit system (which is identical in price and performance to the AK Debra system but the relatively small subs are more rectangular than the Swarm's squarer shaped subs.):

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audiokinesis-swarm-subwoofer-system/

     My advise is that multiple subs will provide significantly better bass response than a single sub is capable of providing, no matter its size, quality or price.  If your goal is to optimize the bass performance in your system, or prefer near state of the art bass performance throughout your entire room rather than just at your designated listening position, then I recommend using either an AK complete kit 4-sub DBA system or a custom 3-4 sub DBA  system utilizing your choice of subs.
     If you want to learn more about the effectiveness of the DBA concept, 3-4 sub distributed bass arrays and in-room bass response in general, you can google " distributed bass array concept" or "distributed bass array system".

Best wishes,
     Tim

I also have a pair of ULS-15's in my main system.  I think these sealed subs offer very high quality bottom octave coverage for music.  Some might think that with Tekton DI's you wouldn't need subs--but not me!  I am not about an excess of bass.  Rather, I demand tight, musical bass that plumbs the depths that my main speakers just don't do--especially pulled well out into the room.  I've said before that they complement the DI's beautifully--super high value, nicely finished, tremendous performance.  Buy a pair and be happy.

A HSU is a fine sub until you try a better one.  There are many many subs out there that are far far better for music.  
I’ve owned a ULS15 and a pair of VTF subs and have found several sub woofers since then which completely blow them away.  The funny thing is, when I owned the ULS for instance, I thought it was an amazing sub too. 

Cue the offended HSU owners... 

I found HSU to be a step along the path to finding good subs.  I started out with a couple of Klipsch subs, which were complete garbage.  I then had a couple of HSU subs including the VTF-1, a VTF-3 MK3, and a VTF-3 HO.  The VTF-1 was surprisingly good for the price (200 bucks at the time?).  The VTF-3 MK3 was a solid performer.  The VTF-3 HO sucked.  It bottomed out really easily.  I bought it second hand, so maybe it was damaged, but when I contacted HSU and asked about it, they acted like that was "normal".  

I moved on to SVS, Rythmik, and Power Sound Audio and never looked back.  They all seemed to be better built and to have more output and tighter bass than the HSU subs I had.  Maybe a little more expensive, but more value for the dollar. 

That was a couple of generations of HSU subs ago, so maybe they've stepped up their game with their latest offerings. 

My impression of them was that they are the Emotiva of the subwoofer world.  Affordable and sound OK, but for not much more money you can have better build and sound quality.

Of course there are "better" subs.  But the OP has a budget.  I would also take the above comments with a grain of salt.  The older series models do not perform at the same level as current models.  Also, I much prefer a sealed design for music at this price.