Velodyne's Dim View

My experience with Velodyne couldn't be better. I had a bit of a problem with my HGS-15, and dropped it off in Morgan Hill while attending the Monterey vintage car week. I talked and exchanged emails with folks at Velodyne, and they couldn't have been more helpful. The visit to the big facility in Morgan Hill lead me to believe this is a high-tech firm, and that making subs may be a sideline. Nevertheless, the service was great.

I also have an HGS-10 and SMS-1 bass manager, so I'm a satisfied Velodyne customer.

db

IMHO, Velodyne's DD software/interface is great, the actual subs maybe less so. The Velo SMS-1 controller provides the benefits of the digital drive interface (at <$500 street price) for use with any sub of your choice. I've been using it with mediocre Velo SPLR8 subs, but just ordered a pair of 12" Rythmik Audios to replace the SPLRs. The JL subs get a lot of praise and test out extremely well, but the much less expensive Rythmik and SVS subs produce pretty impressive results, too, and offer an awful lot of performance for the $.

Good Luck

Marty

PS: Since the SMS - 1 works in the digital domain, its high pass will subject the main signal to A/D/A conversion. If you don't want A/D/A conversion in the main signal path, a ($300) NHT X-2 (or similar) can be used to roll off your main speakers without the A/D/A and without spending a billion $.

PPS

FYI - Guess is that the DD series will be replaced by CES 2010, if not sooner. New series is supposed to incorporate lots of bells and whistles of the other sub mfgrs, plus more. Velodyne has always been a class act, IMO - they take care of their customers as well.

You couldn't figure out a lightbulb? Next time, just call the guy in Arizona...

Replace it with a blue LED. I do that all the time with my gear.