Velodyne SPL-800R Subwoofer
Despite the compactness, the subwoofer shows fight in terms of equipment (and maybe even comes before) to most of the competitors. In its path there is a modern DSP-processor, and the 8-inch driver is equipped with an enhanced magnetic system. The manufacturer chose a "closed box" as the acoustic design. The power of the built-in D class amplifier is unusually high for such a kid - 2000 watts at peak. Such potential is not accidental: a reserve is needed to build a compact driver with low sensitivity.
Switching capabilities are quite sufficient: in addition to line input and output, signal release from the amplifier's acoustic terminals is provided. For use in multi-room AV systems there are connectors for an external IR receiver and a 12-volt trigger that allows you to remotely turn on the subwoofer from another device. A unique feature of Velodyne SPL-800R is the built-in six-band parametric equalizer to eliminate room resonances. It works simply and extremely efficiently - just connect an existing microphone to the subwoofer, install it at the listening point and use the built-in pulse generator to set up the system for a specific room. The whole procedure takes no more than a few minutes and saves a lot of time and effort. And all the other operational adjustments can be made by ear from the remote control. Handy, isn't it?
The statement of the developers about the unique long-stroke driver applied here is true. The diffuser sometimes oscillates with such an amplitude that it seems that it will jump out now. But you should not be afraid of this, because its progress is carefully monitored by a proprietary servo system. Having vibrations of such amplitude and frequency, the subwoofer manages to reproduce a very clean, clear and superbly structured bass. Velodyne's low-frequency register is characterized by phenomenal speed, and the bass has quite definite relief and form.
At the work as part of a home cinema, the low-frequency register lacks depth, but this is partly compensated by high-impact mid-bass. The subwoofer does not suffer from monotony, the entire set of soundtracks was worked out with very high quality. However, as for tectonic effects in real scale, it is not able to display them, but can easily give pleasure to a movie lover in a small room.
