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Software Flaw In New Velodyne Subs?

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I was trolling the Velodyne site and came across the following review:

Velodyne really missed the boat on the software, arbitrarily limiting the low pass filter to 40hz with the DD-15+. Those of us with full-range speakers that desire a bit of reinforcement in the deep bass are forced to compromise by this artificial limitation.

The prior DD-15's software DOES allow the low-pass filter to be user-set down to 15hz. It a shame that in order to get increased functionality, I HAVE TO GO BACKWARDS AND USE MY DD-15 BECAUSE I CAN'T GET VELODYNE TO PUT THE SAME FUNCTIONALITY INTO THE DD-15+. A SUPPOSEDLY MUCH MORE ADVANCED SUB.

I have owned Velodyne subs for over 20 years now and customer service has been great, UNTIL NOW. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE FUNCTIONALITY THAT THEIR PRIOR PRODUCT HAD TO THE NEW (dd-15+) SUB THAT I ALSO OWN, IT WOULD TAKE "CUSTOM SOFTWARE", WHICH THEY DON'T DO. THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT.

Frequency...14.6 - 120 Hz
High Pass Crossover.....80 or 100 Hz at 6 dB/octave
Low Pass Crossover......40 Hz to 199 Hz (variable in 1
Hz increments) selectable slope
Default: 80 Hz @ 24 dB/Octave

According to the specs above, the sub goes down to 14 Hz. Does the subs' software limit it to go no lower than 40 Hz?

Can someone explain what this means? How would this be a limitation to full range speakers when the subs are used for 2 channel audio?
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128x128mitch4t
dhl93449
455 posts
 
I agree with previous posters. I don't know why someone would buy a sub that is good to 15 Hz, and then set its low pass filter to the lower 3 dB cutoff frequency of 15 Hz. That makes no sense. Its like buying an amplifier good for 20 Hz to 20 KHz, then feeding it through a low pass filter at 20 Hz. You are using the product well out of its intended design range.

The implication is that the full range speakers go down to 15 Hz already, so why do you need a sub? If you need reinforcement well below 15 hz, you don't buy a product that is good only to 15 Hz.

I think Velodyne's design criteria are fine. A minimum low pass crossover point within a octave or so of the lower cutoff frequency of 15 Hz is sufficient.
fplanner2010
283 posts
 
You guys are totally missing the point. The flexibility of high-end Full-range speakers that go down to 17hz is totally useless if in order to use the sub, you have to cross it at 40hz. What if I want my speakers to take it to 30 hz and then let the sub kick in? Can no longer do that with this software. I would much rather listen to the higher-quality of my main speakers than the sub in 2-channel; movies are a different story.

I would never want to set the sub's low-cross at 15hz - that's totally ridiculous. But 25-35hz would not be out of the question, depending upon the music. I am also aware of the many ways the software can balance the room, etc. That's not, and never was my point. The limit of 40hz low pass was my point. I have since figured out a work-around with the help of a Velo senior VP. End of angst. Life is good. :-)
irvrobinson
295 posts
 
No, Fplanner2010, you're misread my post.

The 15Hz filter under discussion was not, as you say, the "low-cross" point. I was discussing the 15Hz high-pass filter that Velodyne makes mandatory in the DD+ line. Below 15Hz you get a roll-off whether you want it or not. You can only choose the slope. No one was discussing a low-pass filter at 15Hz.

And the OP misunderstood your post, on some other thread apparently, thinking that your complaint about a 40Hz lower limit on the low-pass knee frequency was really a complaint that the sub would not have output below 40Hz. I was just attempting to explain that wasn't the case.

As for your thinking that a 25-25Hz low-pass frequency is a good thing, well, every room is different, but I still think that is probably a poor choice. On the hand, it's your system and you can do as you please, and if a 35Hz low pass frequency makes you happy, who am I to question it?
fplanner2010
283 posts
 
Irv-
You DID call me silly, so I responded. Its not that 25-35hz low pass is necessarily a good thing. As you point out, it is totally system, room, music and preference dependent. When I had this flexibility, I used it. With my newer and improved DD+, I am unable to. That didn't seem like "progress" to me, although from talking to the higher-ups I now understand why they HAD to do this. turns out it wasn't as arbitrary as it originally seemed.
irvrobinson
295 posts
 
Yes, I did call you silly. I think using a sub for less than an octave is very likely not using it to best advantage. Have you measured your room's bass response at your listening position?
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