Velodyne DD-18 Subwoofer Review

[gene]

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/VelodyneDD18p1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 121px" alt=[dd18] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/dd18_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Velodyne has long stood out for subwoofers with exceptional performance capabilities. In the DD -18 we find a very powerful, yet sophisticated system capable of performing at quality levels that put it well above the average product. Though the demands placed on a sub by 2-channel playback and HT are different, the DD–18 handles both modes with ease. &nbsp;In every way that is important, the DD – 18 excels, making it a benchmark product in every category.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT face=Arial size=2>[Read the Review]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [Measurements &amp; Analysis]</FONT></SPAN></P>

[ADMIN] Can we please have ONE subwoofer thread forum that doesn't bring up online subwoofer manufacturers? It gets old. Let's focus this thread on the product in question. Thank you.

 

[no. 5]

I really wish I had the five grand for one of those.
how do you think it would handel a 8000 cubic foot room?

 

[gene]

how do you think it would handel a 8000 cubic foot room?

In a room that size you should definately have 2 subs. If the DD-18 price is too steep, I'd go with a pair of DD-15s. Thats a huge room!

 

[Sheep]

In a room that size you should definately have 2 subs. If the DD-18 price is too steep, I'd go with a pair of DD-15s. Thats a huge room!

What about 4 DD10's?

SheepStar

 

[gene]

What about 4 DD10's?

NO. You mean 4 DD12s I presume. Having first hand experience with the entire DD line, there is a big step up going from DD12s to DD15s. In a room his size, I'd go at least 2 DD15s or preferably 2 DD18s.

 

[Sheep]

NO. You mean 4 DD12s I presume. Having first hand experience with the entire DD line, there is a big step up going from DD12s to DD15s. In a room his size, I'd go at least 2 DD15s or preferably 2 DD18s.

No I meant 10s. Wouldn't 4 give an even flatter response? AVtalk measured a DD12, did pretty well.

SheepStar

 

[no. 5]

In a room that size you should definately have 2 subs.

alright!

Thats a huge room!

yeah, it's gonna' be expensive to fill with sound.

 

[mike c]

I agree, there's a gigantic difference between the 12 and 15 drivers. (something about the magnet)
edit: 310 ounces (19.3 lbs) vs. 380 ounces (24 lbs)

 

[mike c]

hey gene, may we request for close up pics of the driver?
maybe he has some saved or something.


the one side view pic in the review looks to be a marketing pic from velodyne. the DD-10 driver Bruce Hall held in his video interview looks to be more intimidating than this one ...

 

[mtrycrafts]

I really wish I had the five grand for one of those.
how do you think it would handel a 8000 cubic foot room?

If you have the means to do a nice infinite baffle type of sub with the space for that baffle, not into the neighborhood, build one with a number of 18" drivers, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

No I meant 10s. Wouldn't 4 give an even flatter response? AVtalk measured a DD12, did pretty well.

SheepStar

You might get the flat response but will you also get enough SPL, is the question.

 

[mike c]

Graph 2b: Normalized THD&N curves; Servo settings 8 & 1

I most likely might be wrong on this but, shouldn't there be two lines on this graph?

 

[MACCA350]

No I meant 10s. Wouldn't 4 give an even flatter response? AVtalk measured a DD12, did pretty well.

SheepStar

I'm pretty sure 4x 10s won't give you the LF extension of a 15 or 18, the main thing you gain by multiplying subs is spl. You might find that a single 18 could give you equal or higher spl than 4x 10s along with more extension, someone correct me if I'm wrong. You really only need one DD to flatten room response, +/-3db is considered flat, and in most situations 1 DD can do that unless you have serious room issues that should be addressed with acoustical treatments.

BTW, I love my DD15
cheers

 

[MACCA350]

I most likely might be wrong on this but, shouldn't there be two lines on this graph?

I think thats showing the difference in THD between the 1 and 8 servo settings

cheers

 

[mike c]

I think thats showing the difference in THD between the 1 and 8 servo settings

cheers

thanks ... in that case, I'll need a few days to understand that graph

I'm right that I'm wrong

 

[MACCA350]

I'm right that I'm wrong

I think that should be the 'quote of the day' made me think for a minute

cheers

 

[MDS]

I was only wrong one time. One time I thought I was wrong but I wasn't.

 

[gene]

No I meant 10s. Wouldn't 4 give an even flatter response? AVtalk measured a DD12, did pretty well.

Possibly, but the low end extension and overall output in such a large room would suffer. I wouldnt recommend anything smaller than DD15's in that room.

I agree, there's a gigantic difference between the 12 and 15 drivers. (something about the magnet)
edit: 310 ounces (19.3 lbs) vs. 380 ounces (24 lbs)

The laws of phsyics come into play here, BIGGER enclosure and BIGGER driver equals more extension and output. Don't forget the DD15s and 18s are also THX Ultra2 certified.

hey gene, may we request for close up pics of the driver?
maybe he has some saved or something.

This was a quickly posted review with no larger images b/c the new Audioholics site will be up in a few short weeks. On the new site, we will have larger images posted for you to click on.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Mark,

What did you think about the build quality when you took it apart? I was surprised to see wedges for support, no cross bracing, and excessive silicone inside the cabinet. I'm sure it doesn't effect sq, but for 5 large, I thought I'd find gold in that box.

 

[mike c]

also, is it normal for sealed enclosures not to have batting inside? (or was it all removed)

it hurts to see a DD opened up like that ...