nick1326's Full Review: Velodyne DLS-3750 Subwoofer Speaker
For over 20 years Velodyne has been the absolute authority in subwoofers. Just consider this: Most loudspeaker manufacturers build full-range speakers and later, add subwoofers to their product lines, trying to tell the world they've discovered the best and most earth-shattering way to produce bass. Sadly, many of us sit through lackluster demonstrations then, and later are forced to ask; "what were they possibly thinking???" Velodyne meanwhile has always made JUST SUBWOOFERS. In fact, they basically invented the prodcut, invented the marketplace and to this day continue to be the unquestionable industry leader in subwoofer technology.
Velodyne's DLS-R line represents an entirely new way of thinking and offers incredible performance in a small, neat and attractive package. It also incorporates a full DSP (Digital Signal Processor), 100% all digital design, super reliable amplifier and Velodyne's signature 100% proprietary driver technology. Lastly, it offers all this at a very reasonable price, under 500 dollars.
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of this bad boy, let's discuss a few key points about music, movies and what actually allows us to bring our systems to a level of performance which actually make the experience REAL. Movie theatres charge upwards of 10 dollars a ticket nowadays. The reason we're willing to pay rather exhorbitant prices is because we don't just watch a movie- we EXPERIENCE it. The picture is large and clear - and of course the explosions and booms are thunderous and lifelike - making an actual impact to viewers. It is the role of a subwoofer to produce bass that actually moves us- shakes the room. All of this adds a new degree of realism that we don't typically experience in our homes. Recently however, particularly with the onset of 5.1 surround technology and the fact that almost every DVD out there is recorded in some kind of proper surround format, we are now able to bring the realism of Hollywood home - and many of us have invested in 5.1 surround systems, meaning 5 satelite speakers and 1 subwooofer. The problem however, is that making believe bass DOES NOT simply mean packing a box with as much power and as much driver as physically possible... many manufacturers woiuld have us believe this, however that's why when you hear one of thier subs play, you hear a muddy, distortion ridden overly-boomy thump which is not only unpleasant to listen to, but also distractive -- it actually TAKES AWAY from the experience.
Velodyne has always produced ONLY subwoofers. They've done it the longest and have literally, since day one, OWNED the high-end subwoofer market; meaning subs that price OVER 1000 dollars. Anyone familiar with mid and high end electronics knows the name velodyne -- and most likely knows that velodyne is clearly the industry leader. However many times when people think of Velodyne, they think of a very expensive "audiophile grade" subwoofer which costs an arm and a leg, and is way out of their price range.
In fact, Velodyne makes a tremendous range of subwoofer products ranging from 179 dollars all the way up to 15,000 dollars! (yeah, seriously- 15 grand!). However the DLS-R is an entirely new product which brings an entirely new level of performance to the below-700 dollar price range.
The DLS-R line of subs includes 8, 10, 12 and 15 inch. The nomenclature follows its own special formula- a 3500 = 8", 3750 = 10" and so on. The subs are available in a handsome black cabinet which is extremely well built and braced- especially for a subwoofer in this price category. While most competitors woofs are built with cheaper pressboard construction and cheaper lesser-braced boxes, the velodyne is built like a tank. GOod bass starts with a strong box- no two ways around this. DLS consttruction is excellent.
THe Driver technology behind the product is also Velodyne's own proprietary design. Again, here's a great example of "you get what you pay for" -- At Velodyne, all they do is make subwoofers. Since subs produce ONLY a very targeted sonic range (the LOW lows..) the require a different set of bullet points to do this: Stiffest basket as possible, long throw/long excursion drivers, double spiders, consistent suspension systems to keep the driver pistonic even at extreme ex/in cursion, super chunky magnet designs. All these ingredients are prerequisites of building an excellent driver capable of firing powerfully and filling a rroom with bass. In fact, every single Velodyne product has a driver which is engineered from the ground up and designed (from scratch) to work with that given enclosure and amplifier... again, you get what you pay for.
Conceniences and Features: Why DSL-R, Why DSP???
There are a few key reasons why if you're shopping for a subwoofer and don't want to spend more than 500 bucks, then you found a clear winner -- here's why:
1) Packed with features and fully operable via remote. In english, most competitors woofs have adjustment panels on the BACK SIDE of the physical box. Lets face it- subs are essentially ugly boxes which sit on the floor... typically we stuff them behind a couch or underneath and toward the backmost section of a coffee table's footprint, etc. We don't want to see them! Now think about this: you need to adjust your subs crossover point - do you really want to start crawling under furniture and turning your room upside down to simply turn a know and change your subs volume? NO. DLS-R allows you to adjust EVERYTHING from remote.
2) Most every sub in this price point has a very limited set of adjustments- meaning while you are able to set the sub up very basically, there are no features built in which allow the sub to perform well in your room. In short, most subs in this price point has simply volume and crossover adjustments and that it. period.
THe DLS-R feature set is uber impressive- in fact, what's so impressive, is typically you don't even find such features in woofers over 1000 bucks. DLS features phase adjustment, available in 90 degree increments, accesible right from the remote via ONE BUTTON. the DLS-R's brain also features 4 listneing modes: you get one for movies, one for music on the jazzier side, one for pop music where you need a bit more upper-bass thump and then a defeat mode to see how effective the DSP brain is at improving the subs performance. Volume, CrossOver and all other features on the DSP brain are controllable right from the remote.
3) NIGHT MODE: A key feature of the DLS-R line is their intuitive NIGHT MODE feature- one button and you can limit the subs ability to play the loudest and lowest thumps at full given volume.. this is a great feature- basically when you're watching a movie you can still hear everytghing, however when you get a super loud bass boom which would typically cause you to lower the system volume, this time, the sub takes care of that FOR YOU, so without adjust ANYTHING (no need to move your butt off the comfy couch position) the sub won't irritate neighbors, tenants or anything else.
4) DSP helps make the sub sound perfect no matter how acoustically bad your room is! Velodyne's patended DSP technology is designed to make the subwoofer perform well no matter how unique or challenged the rooms sonic footprint is. All rooms have deficiencies - no we can compensate for them.
In short, Velodyne's impressive DSL-R subwooofer line is effectively a bargain basement way to bring over-1000.00 dollar performance into your room for half of that. The subs are attractive, PACKED with features and conveniences which will make the exerpience that much better. Home theatre presentations are more reaslistic and believeable with bass that is authoritative and repsonsive, yet so well tuned into the room, you almost don't realize there's a subwooofer playing... It's kind of ironic- these things tailor to a room so well, that while most people have heard subwoofers sound boomy and loud hate them - typically Velodyne will take a person like this, put them in a listening room and the person will actually prefer to listen to Velodyne's volume LOUDEr - because they're never heard TIGHT, ACCURATE, TUNED bass - everything Velodyne strives for and advertises.
I highly encourage you to take a good long look at DLS-R. When you see the feature set and convenience with the intuitive and easyd to use remote control, you'll agree - you can buy 2 DLS-R's for the price of one competitors woofer which probably doesn't have half of this feature set. DLS is easy to use, a SNAP to set up - literally it's plug to the wall and connect LFE output from your processor the LFE in on the subwoofer. DONE. In fact, DLS-R Even won subwoofer product of the year because of its deep rooted feature set which is a direct descendant of Velodyne's multi-thousand dollar DD digital drive feature set -- DLS is like a way to get some of DD's functionality for a fraction of the price.
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