For over 40 years, Velodyne Acoustics has stood for bass perfection. The manufacturer of high-quality subwoofers for film sound and music reproduction was acquired by the German distributor Audio Reference in November 2019 – including all plants in the USA and China as well as existing patents. Since then, the new company owner Mansour Mamaghani has been working on building on Velodyne Acoustics’ success and expanding the leading manufacturer of Hi-Fi and home cinema subwoofers even further. The foundations for this could hardly be better: The company’s history has always been characterized by ingenuity, pioneering spirit, and excellent design in product development.

Velodyne Acoustics stands for distortion-free bass like no other manufacturer. After the acquisition by Audio Reference in November 2019, new developments are gaining momentum and will soon be available. For the upcoming subwoofers, the developers were able to rely on decades of accumulated know-how.

Massive Construction and Continuous Improvements – That’s how it all Started

The founder and then chief engineer of Velodyne Acoustics, David Hall, revolutionized subwoofer construction as early as 1983 with the patented High Gain Servo System based on an accelerometer. Built into the ULD-18, it allowed for perfect control of the diaphragm excursion – resulting in excellent reproduction of the lowest frequencies. Together with a massive and optimally braced enclosure, the woofer also played louder and deeper in the frequency basement than the competition. Particularly noteworthy: The distortion values were 20 to 30 times lower than those of other competitors. The ULD-18 convinced across the board and was honored with several awards, including the “Special Engineering Award”.

Always in Focus: Bass Reproduction with as Little Distortion as Possible

After the ULD-18, many more iconic audio gems followed from Velodyne Acoustic. They all have one thing in common: A good subwoofer should play as differentiated as possible so that the bass feels both tangible and realistic. For this, reproduction in the frequency basement below 20 Hertz is just as important as a quick response. Accordingly, it has always been Velodyne Acoustics’ goal to reduce distortion to a minimum and thus produce precise bass. Of course, precise tuning to the listening room is also crucial. In 2003, Velodyne introduced the world’s first digital subwoofer with DSP technology. This achieved unparalleled precision, which is unmatched with the added control. The precisely coordinated digital equalizers, crossovers, and filters provided a special kind of bass reproduction even back then.

DDCS and Automatic Equalizers Declare War on Distortions

The improved algorithm for the distortion-limiting Digital Drive Control System of special Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers results in tighter and more precise bass reproduction. DDCS is an active, DSP-based system that ensures linear diaphragm movement and provides reproduction with as little distortion as possible. Flagship bass systems like the SPL 1200 Ultra also feature an automatic equalizer that adapts the subwoofer’s bass reproduction to the room acoustics. With the included microphone and a short press of the EQ button on the remote control, the bass is perfectly tuned from the listening position – clean and with the usual lack of distortion.

Current Trends and Future Developments

The last few years have shown that user-friendly installation and operation are becoming increasingly important for the audio industry as well. This trend doesn’t pass by Velodyne Acoustics, and so the manufacturer offers both suitable installation and room calibration systems. Moreover, the ability to find the perfect bass for music, home cinema, and games at the touch of a button has long been no secret for Velodyne Acoustics. Lorenzo Mamaghani, COO of Audio Reference GmbH, also gives a preview of upcoming devices: “The Deep Blue Series is already in the starting blocks and will soon make Velodyne Acoustics’ bass accessible to an even larger audience. Since we took over the manufacturer, the developers have been busy with new subwoofers – from the flagship with built-in DSP and sophisticated calibration to the ambitious entry-level device. This year still holds some surprises for the audio world, and we will also launch exciting new products with Velodyne Acoustics.”

The Velodyne Acoustics Company

Master of low tones: For over 40 years, Velodyne Acoustics has been driving the development of the subwoofer concept with innovative technologies. As early as 1983, Velodyne founder David Hall turned the market upside down with a patent that enabled louder, deeper, and less distorted reproduction. Further innovations followed, including the world’s first DSP-controlled subwoofer in 2003. Today, Velodyne Acoustics delights hi-fi and home theater sound enthusiasts with flexible systems that can be adapted to any setup, while being extremely user-friendly and easy to operate. The Digital Drive Plus series is considered by experts to be the benchmark for what today’s subwoofers can achieve. No other manufacturer holds as many patents in subwoofer construction – and each of these patents is entirely in the service of perfect bass reproduction.

The Audio Reference Company

The fascination of good music reproduction, brilliant images, and perfectly crafted products: For over 20 years, Audio Reference GmbH has stood for first-class advice and expert support of the German specialist trade in the high-end audio segment. Under the motto “The sound makes the music,” the company founded by Mansour Mamaghani always strives to distribute the world’s best manufacturers exclusively in Germany through a selected dealer network. Audio Reference’s brand portfolio includes renowned manufacturers Basscontinuo, Dan D’Agostino, EAT, KRELL, MERIDIAN AUDIO, Millennium, Miller Kreisel, Starke Sound, Velodyne Acoustics, Vicoustic, VTL, and Wilson Audio.