Velodyne Digital Drive DD-15+ Subwoofer Review
Velodyne DD-15+ Subwoofer
Summary
- Product Name: DD-15+ Subwoofer
- Manufacturer: Velodyne
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: June 09, 2011 16:05
- MSRP: $ 3999 (sold direct)
- Specifications
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Velodyne DD-15+ Specifications
- Driver: 15” forward-firing
- Amplifier (ClassD): 3000 watts Dynamic, 1250 watts RMS Power
- Frequency Response: Overall 9.0 – 300 Hz (+/- 3 dB) 14.6 – 120 Hz
- THD: <0.5% (typical)
- High Pass Xover: 80 or 100 Hz at 6 dB/octave
- Low Pass Xover: 40 Hz to 199 Hz (variable in 1 Hz crossover increments) selectable slope Default: 80 Hz @ 24 dB/Octave
- Phase: 0 to 180 degrees (variable in 15 degree increments)
- Polarity Adjustable: (+/-)
- Magnet Structure: 39.7 lbs.
- Voice Coil: Six-layer, 75mm
- Cone: Fiberglass Rohacell Laminate
Inputs/Outputs
- LFE (Mono) Line level (RCA), Nominal Impedance 47K,
- Balanced (XLR), Nominal Impedance 10K
- Input (L&R) Line level (RCA & XLR)
- Microphone Balanced (Mini-XLR, cable included)
- Speaker Bare wire, banana plugs, or spade lugs Level (L&R)
- Thru (L&R) Line level (RCA & XLR) outputs
- Output (L&R), High-Pass Line level (RCA & XLR)
- Included Full feature remote control, DD+ accessory Accessories kit and video cable
- Finishes: Black gloss ebony, satin cherry or walnut
Physical
- Dimensions (H/W/D): 20” x 18.1” x 22.5” (includes feet (51 x 46 x 57 cm) and connectors)
- Shipping Weight: 120 lbs.(approx)
- Warranty: Three years (electronics) / (parts/labor) Five years (drivers)
Pros
- Superb performance in a moderate box size
- Excellent aesthetics
- Tons of configurability options to ease installation
Cons
- Pricey
- Coarse resolution of included setup software limits its usefulness
Introduction
Based on our exhaustive testing, it's clear that Velodyne's new Digital Drive Plus series of subs deliver as promised and even exceed some of their own output claims made to us. You stick a robust 15" driver in an inert sealed enclosure with a hulking power amp and masterful servo and compressor, and you've got the recipe for good subwoofing which very few sealed competitors can compete with both in sheer output and pristine fidelity. The DD-15+ has proven to be a worthy successor to the venerable DD-15 that started the whole Digital Drive series nearly 8 years ago. The hefty price tag is about the only downside to this fabulous product, and the end user must decide if it's worth forking over the cash to don the Velodyne name in their theater room. If I were their competition, I'd be worried that Velodyne has just put most of them in checkmate with this very impressive line of well engineered Digital Drive Plus subwoofers. Highly recommended!
See also:
Post Reply
j_garcia posts on November 01, 2012 16:54
Elemental Designs Turns out to be a brand of ill repute. Research the warning signs.
You just responded to a response that is a year old.
eD no longer exists as well.
You just responded to a response that is a year old.
eD no longer exists as well.
endless ent posts on November 01, 2012 16:27
kevon27;814774
Wow.. impressive sub. But for $5000, that's a bit much. If someone has the space, the Elemental Designs subs should be able to best the DD+ easily, but they are not pretty and weigh in at 200+ lbs (A7-350 to the monster A7-900).
Elemental Designs Turns out to be a brand of ill repute. Research the warning signs.
See Forum link
What happened to Elemental Designs? [polkaudio.com]
screen_x posts on September 13, 2012 20:39
It is interesting that the DB1 was briefly compared to the DD18, but not the 18+.
As this article states "In fact, the DD15+ has about a 3dB output advantage at 20Hz to the original DD-18 we reviewed a few years back"
Is it fair/safe to assume the DD15+ is there abouts with the DB1 in a proper test environment? I'm clearly confused...
As this article states "In fact, the DD15+ has about a 3dB output advantage at 20Hz to the original DD-18 we reviewed a few years back"
Is it fair/safe to assume the DD15+ is there abouts with the DB1 in a proper test environment? I'm clearly confused...
screen_x posts on September 13, 2012 18:04
Initially, they were not EQ'd. The DB1 sounded below average then but the Velo sounded great in the "out of the box" state. They did EQ them both afterwards. The DB1's sound did improve. But still wasn't enough to sound great at normal listening level as the Velo...
Matt34 posts on September 13, 2012 01:48
screen_x;906720
Had the opportunity to listen to the B&W DB1 and the Velodyne DD12+ side by side. The B&W didn't sound that great until it was turned up really loud (too loud for a domestic setup). If I turn it up that high my wife will kill me and if the wife wont kill me I can see the roof collapsing on me.
Both subs shook the entire demo room (felt like we were being attacked by two dozen angry baboons). The DD12+ was nice and smooth what ever the volume. Demo was provided by a leading av/hifi dealer here in Melbourne, Australia. Even they agreed that the B&W wasn't that impressive until the volume was cranked up. How about that??
Do you know if they actually EQ'd the setup?
I controlled the DB1 with B&W's SubApp program, which is compatible with Windows XP as well as Vista and Windows 7 (both 32 and 64-bit versions). Not shipped with the subwoofer, it must be downloaded from B&W Group North America Service & Support Homepage [bwgroup-support.com]. SubApp provides graphical user interface controls for the DB1's gain, phase, polarity, and equalization, and enables two additional functions not available on the control panel: naming the presets, and launching the DB1's Room Acoustics Compensation routine. The tools needed to run that last item—a calibration microphone, four connector cables, and a USB-connected soundcard that generates the necessary test signals—are included with the subwoofer. With SubApp, the DB1 can take measurements of the room, then adjust its internal equalizer to compensate for up to four room-mode peaks within its operating range
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