First, thank you to other reviews of the Velodyne brand, it influenced my choice for a subwoofer upgrade. For my main home theater, I have a Yamaha 100 watt/ ch 5.1 surround sound receiver, Polk Monitor 70s for Right and Left and Polk CS1 Center, Polk R20s for Right and Left Surrounds. I was upgrading a Cambridge Soundworks 50 watt powered sub. I had looked at a few Velodyne subs at Tweeter and Circuit City, and came across the SLP-1000 series II on clearance at a local Tweeter. For all tests referenced below, I had the subwoofer set to the halfway point and I had the crossover set to 80 hz because that is the crossover on my Yamaha Receiver. (all speakers set to small, so that frequencies below 80 hz go the subwoofer).

Basics: 1000 watts / 2000 watt peak 10 inch front facing sub 120 hz down to 24 hz. LFE input and speaker line inputs. Volume Control, and variable crossover 40 hz to 120 hz.

Looks: For a subwoofer, its pretty nice looking. It's deceptively small for the power it puts out. 12" H 12" W and 13 1/2" deep with a glossy piano black finish. Grill cloth and simple blue light to indicate power. It also seems to have very solid and durable construction.

Sound: Well, thats the most important isn't it? In a word, "WOW!". To be honest my first reaction was not to what the Velodyne sounded like, but what it FELT like. Adding frequency response down to 24 hz with the capability of 2000 watt power peaks gives you deep bass that you can FEEL right in your chest. This is no sloppy muddy boom boom bass, either, this is accurate, precise powerful bass. The best way to describe it is by example.

Movies with the Velodyne:

Finding Nemo: Remember when Darla taps the fish tank? On my system with no subwoofer, it was a loud tap. With the old Cambridge Sound subwoofer you could feel it a bit. With the Velodyne, you are in the fishtank, and your whole world shakes as this tinsel toothed terror slams her fat little finger against the glass.

The Haunting: Not the scariest or best horror movie I've seen, but the Velodyne took it to new depths. When the ghostly presence of the house is about, you can literally feel it.

Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring and Return of the King - Extended Edition DTS- ES soundtrack

Wow, the scenes in this epic trilogy really come to life with the Velodyne subwoofer. Everytime Frodo puts the ring on, and the all seeing eye searches for him, the soundtrack dips into the low low bass regions and I could literally feel the terror that Frodo did. Another great scene is in the Dwarven mines when Took accidently drops the skeleton down the shaft. War drums start to play and those deep low bass notes really just are unnerving.
In the battle scenes from Return of the King, you can feel every stomp of the Oliphants attack, and every slam of the catapults at Minas Tirith. The overall soundtrack sounded more magnificent and epic as well.

I've listened to quite a few other movies since I've bought the sub, and it just adds a dimension that I never had before. But how is it for music? Music demands different performance than movies right? Well I also tested the Velodyne with a number of DVD-Audios and SACDs.

Music with the Velodyne

Metallica (Black Album) DVD Audio The sturm and drang of my favorite thinking man's heavy metal band is even more potent with those lower frequencies. My Polk Monitors are only rated to 32 hz, and I am sure that there is roll off before that. The Velodyne basically just adds much more punch to the bass without any break up whatsoever. Ever hear a friend's system when they turn up the bass so that you can "feel it" but it sounds muddy and undefined? Or the bass just overpowers everything else? Velodyne just doesn't have that negative quality at all. Even with an intense band like Metallica, the bass is crisp and tight.

Diana Krall - Love Scenes SACD I felt notes from the bass player in her jazz trio deeper than before. The bass just sounds fuller without sounding exaggerated.

Deep Purple Machine Head DVD audio. Highway Star without the sub, sounds excellent full and rich. You can hear the drums come in with the screaming intro vocal. Highway Star wtih the sub, sounds excellent full and rich, you can feel the Hammond organ, and you can hear and feel the drums come in with the screaming intro vocal. The sound of the drums is more realistic and detailed as well.

Overall, the Velodyne SPL 1000 series II subwoofer has made a home theater that I have been most happy with sound and feel even better. It truly has added depth and dimension to my sound stage with both music and movies. Its a difference that you can hear and feel.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 650