Anyone?

Well, the STF-3 and LFM-1 are closely related, although some of the cabinet styling cues are different and the ports are in different places. The same goes for the STF-1 and the LFM-2. The subs are going to be very similar. Does that help you any?

Hi Gonk,

Not Really. Do you know the difference in SQ?

I don't know that there is a difference in sound quality, at least not a substantial one. Same drivers, same amps, similar cabinets - just different port orientations and slightly different aesthetics.

ok, the HSU STF-2 has a 10 inch Woofer and larger amp than the LFM-2 which is a 8 inch woofer. The HSU is onlu $100 more.

Which to you feel would be best match with the 1070?

The STF-2 will get about as low as the STF-3 and LFM-1, but the smaller driver will cost you some output. The things to match the sub to are the room and other speakers - the 1070 will be perfectly content to work with any of the LFM or STF subs. How big is your room, and what speakers are you using with it?

another thing to reckon with (apart from room size and power/size of the sub) is the speed. having just heard two subs, and three nice systems with and without those subs (you compute the permutations, including signal path and cable worries...) I am back to my LFM2 on an outlaw amp, with two large magnepan speakers. the crucial factor is that this small sub is quick enough to supplement and enhance the sound from the two planar speakers. the other woofer (six times the price) was not able to blend in.

If the STF-1 and LFM 2 are essentially the same subwoofer and should sound very similar, I have noticed that there is still a price difference. The STF-1 sells for $249.00 for a single item, I was planning on purchasing 2 for a total cost of $498.00. I have also noticed that for $549.00 Outlaw sells two as well. It is only $50, but this might suggest that Outlaw is abandoning one of the main principles in its' marketing strategy. Is there a real difference in the subwoofers? If they are the same, has Outlaw just overlooked this price difference?

HSU claims 32Hz response for the STF-1 and reviewers have measured output at 106dB while Outlaw claims 28Hz response for the LFM-2 at 110dB.

Also, the LFM-2 has a slightly different cabinet design from the STF-1 as well (downward firing ports in the LFM series).

Not overly dramatic differences to be sure, but they are definitely different subs with differnt build and performance characteristics.

The STF-1 and LFM-2 are similar designs but with different cabinets - they're not identical, and as palmer points out the LFM-2 is rated for an extra 4Hz of depth. The STF-1 was originally launched at the same $300 price point as the LFM-2, but apparently has either been put on sale or had the price reduced recently. Since the STF-1 page lists the price as being "regularly" $299 I suspect that it's just on sale for a while (probably in conjunction with The Home Entertainment Show that HSU had a presence at last week) - and there's certainly no reason for the LFM-2 to go on sale at the same time as the STF-1.

SUBWOOFER X-OVER QUESTION;
am awaiting delivery of the following system;
outlaw 970/7075 pre-pro/amp
2 magnepan mmg-w
hsu STF-1

question; the mmg-w has a low freq respose of 100 hz; the upper x-over limit of the STF-1 is 90hz, but is bypassable. if i set the front speaker x-over control on the 970 at 100 hz and by-pass the x-over on the STF-1, will the 970 send up to 100 hz to the sub? and will the sub produce up to 100 hz? or will there be an omission between 90-100hz. -it sure looked to me as if the STF and th LFM-2 were the same sound engine with different labels, but the specs don't quite agree; hsu doesn't list an upper frequency response; the LFM says the upper crossover is 90 hz, but the "huge" rear panel view looks like the dial goes up above 100 hz.

The STF-1 will play higher than 90Hz with the crossover bypassed. For some confirmation of this, check out the LFM-2's specifications: frequency response is listed as being 25Hz to 180Hz (as you've noticed, the two subs are cousins and the STF-1 should approach the same upper limit). Setting the 970's front crossover at 100Hz and disabling the crossover in the sub is the best approach.

thanks, gonk. the 970 isn't here yet, but magnepans arrived today and i just couldn't wait. the magettes and the hsu are plugged into my old receiver, from an RCA all in one HT system from radio shack. sit back down. i think the thing has a pretty good class d amp in it. sounds far better than i could have expected, once i set it to two-channel or "jazz". other settings had some pretty weird effects, like a piano behind me. i think the thing didn't know what to do with a 4/5 ohm load. check out my recent entry under speaker wire_$$$?. thanks again, happy trails.

About 2 months ago I got an STF-2 and it does a great job with my 1070. Some of you may recall that, earlier this year, I wondered whether I really needed a sub because my B&W CDM7 mains do a pretty good job with bass. I'm convinced.

I did not have an opportunity to compare subs in my system, so I can't comment on the relative merits of the LFM-2 and the STF-2. I might have needed the LTF-1 compact for my room, which is about 12 X 17 feet. Based on the sizing chart on HSU's web site, the room is on the line between the STF-1 and STF-2. The STF-2 has a little less power in the amp than the LFM-1 but I doubt that it matters in my system. I can shake the room without difficulty if I want to.

But the extra base helps with music, too.

BTW, the HSU site has said the msrp of an STF-2 is $399, but they're selling it for $349 plus $30 for shipping. It's been that way since I started shopping last spring. I assume the "Sale" is really a price reduction.