Velodyne HGS-15X Subwoofer Review

[gene]

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/VelodyneHGS-15XSubReviewp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[velo] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/velo_th.jpg" align=left vspace=5 border=0></A>Many of us audiophiles and videophiles are split personalities. We want our systems to sound great for music, be dynamic, and provide that intense impact and wow effect for home theater applications. If you are a die hard two-channel audiophile looking for a subwoofer to keep up with your exotic main channel speakers, a Bassoholic addicted to huge dynamic high impact LFE, or a custom integrator looking for a flexible solution for custom audio video placement, the Velodyne HGS-15X is the subwoofer you need to audition.&nbsp;</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial">[Read the Review]</SPAN></SPAN></P><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/velo_outside.JPG"></A><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/"></A><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/veloout.JPG"></A>

 

[Privateer]

There is a big difference between a good subwoofer and a great subwoofer. Good subwoofers can play low and loud. Great subwoofers can play low, loud and still maintain a high level of accuracy The Velodyne HGS-15X is a great subwoofer.

I agree, when it comes to quality of bass there is not much out there that can match a high end velodyne. Now days all people want is a huge amount of SPL, to the average person SPL and quality are often thought of as the same thing.

 

[howie85]

Review, Giveaway?

Will this unit be up for grabs???? I stopped by my local dealer and they say the HGSx is no longer they only offer the DD series. Whats up with that? I guess im looking online for one.

 

[furrycute]

The new DD series is supposedly to be even better than the older HGS series. If memory serves, the DD series has built in parametric control.

 

[jaxvon]

I have one beef with the review. While it is good stuff, I think it was a little lacking in substance compared to your other reviews. You seemed to spend more time on banter-ish stuff as opposed to talking about the sub. Other than that, I liked the review and wish that I could play with one of those!

 

[9f9c7z]

Ray – thanks for the review!!!

Gene – suggestion for future reviews: more emphases on the graph quality. Even when I click on the graph to see it at full size I can’t read all the text. Is the middle freq 30, 50 or 60hz? The green text is totally unreadable, poor choice of color. I’m guessing you (Ray?) has the graph archived. It might be worth going back and changing the color scheme and text fonts.

The new DD series is supposedly to be even better than the older HGS series. If memory serves, the DD series has built in parametric control.

I’ve been reading about/comparing the DD and HGSx series. Looks to be identical, speaker, amp, probably cabinet (1/8-in diff in height), but the DD has a comprehensive remote and OSD of the digital controls. You plug a mic into the DD and it displays the room acoustics of the LF to aid in optimum placement and tweaking of the woofer. The DD also has variable control over the low pass crossover, subsonic filter, and phase.

I’m calling Velodyne in the morning to see what’s up with DD v HGSX. My original thought was to see if it would be possible to procure a nicer, finished wooden cabinet from the DD series and use it to house a HGSx sub, but then I realized they appear to be basically the same units, the additional DD controls aside. Appearance is really important in getting anything approved by the interior decorator/chief financial officer/woman.

 

[RLA]

Will this unit be up for grabs???? I stopped by my local dealer and they say the HGSx is no longer they only offer the DD series

Hello
Call Velodyne and they can direct you to a dealer or custom installer I can assure you that it is available .
The DD series is newer but you really need to demo the HGS-15X if you are considering a new subwoofer.

The new DD series is supposedly to be even better than the older HGS series. If memory serves, the DD series has built in parametric control.
Today 02:52 AM

Newer does not always represent better value. The HGS-15X is a stellar performer at it price point
It may be a better choice depending on the room, audio components listening habits of the individual and budget. Feature's and spec sheets should be used as a guide leading to live evaluation


You seemed to spend more time on banter-ish stuff as opposed to talking about the sub.

Interesting perspective
What else would you like to know about the subwoofer or installation process?
I would be happy to respond if you have questions

Happy Listening
Ray

 

[RLA]

Gene – suggestion for future reviews: more emphases on the graph quality

I will see what I can do to fix that

 

[jaxvon]

Actually, upon re-read, I was wrong. I read it at like 2 AM though, so I wasn't exactly in a cohesive state of mind.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Ray – thanks for the review!!!

Gene – suggestion for future reviews: more emphases on the graph quality. Even when I click on the graph to see it at full size I can’t read all the text. Is the middle freq 30, 50 or 60hz? The green text is totally unreadable, poor choice of color. I’m guessing you (Ray?) has the graph archived. It might be worth going back and changing the color scheme and text fonts.



I’ve been reading about/comparing the DD and HGSx series. Looks to be identical, speaker, amp, probably cabinet (1/8-in diff in height), but the DD has a comprehensive remote and OSD of the digital controls. You plug a mic into the DD and it displays the room acoustics of the LF to aid in optimum placement and tweaking of the woofer. The DD also has variable control over the low pass crossover, subsonic filter, and phase.

I’m calling Velodyne in the morning to see what’s up with DD v HGSX. My original thought was to see if it would be possible to procure a nicer, finished wooden cabinet from the DD series and use it to house a HGSx sub, but then I realized they appear to be basically the same units, the additional DD controls aside. Appearance is really important in getting anything approved by the interior decorator/chief financial officer/woman.

Did you ditch the idea of going with an SVS due to availability? We didn't hear back from you on the other thread.

 

[gene]

Will this unit be up for grabs????

Haha not this time. The participation in our last subwoofer giveaway (Axiom EP500) was a bit thin compared to other contests we have run so its unlikely we will be doing another subwoofer contest giveaway for some time.

Gene – suggestion for future reviews: more emphases on the graph quality

This is the first time Ray is using the measurement tool I gave him so there are some growing pains. Its not the greatest program with respect to user interface and transferring graphs to the web.

To clarify the -3dB point is around 20Hz. Also notice the very gradual and smooth rolloff below 20Hz.

 

[furrycute]

Please have another contest for this monster sub!

If you do decide to hold the contest, I am the FIRST one to participate. After reading the review, I am drooling after this sub.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm glad that someone is giving one of the HGS series of subs a serious onceover here. I had been installing them for years with a DC local company and always drooled over the sound of them. I never could afford one and listened to my cheap unit and friends subs and they always just seemed so boomy and weak.

I finally got a Definitive PF15-TL+ sub - and it just made me want a Velodyne even more. Just to boomy, and it had port noise.

So, I got a HGS-10 on eBay - and it worked awesome.

Then I got a HGS-18 used on Videogon - and that is what I am currently using and can't even imagine replacing with something 'better'. Is there better? I think the DD line is perhaps a bit better with presets available and 232 control for memories and control system integration, but sound? Very questionable. Yet believable from those guys.

Hopefully more people will pass over some of the cheaper Velodyne stuff, which can have the boominess that so many hate, and go for the nicer HGS series.

Still out of a lot of budgets though - and how does stuff from other companies compare?

 

[RLA]

I'm glad that someone is giving one of the HGS series of subs a serious onceover here. I had been installing them for years with a DC local company and always drooled over the sound of them.

Can’t agree more when you hear one of the big HGS series you will change your thinking about how subwoofers should sound. The HGS line is a very high value line it does not have parametric EQ but if the mechanic's of the room are decent you should be able to buy a pretty decent room treatment package with the money you saved.

I would trade the EQ function for the room treatment in a heart beat Its all about squeezing the maximum amount of performance from your hard earned audioholic dollar

 

[RLA]

Still out of a lot of budgets though - and how does stuff from other companies compare?

BMX
With your years of experience in the audio industry I think you already know
The answer to this question

 

[BMXTRIX]

Well, I know they sound great, but unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to play with as many other high-end subs as I would like. I never knock speakers that I haven't tried or don't own - and am seriously considering yanking my main system to replace it with something much smaller, then building a serious home theater setup.

That is, pulling my floor standers, and the HGS-18 and replacing it with some Def-Tech Mythos 2/3 speakers with some 8 or 10 inch sub that I can hide behind the couch. Right now, everything is setup in the family room, which my wife seems not to mind at all, but I am worried about what happens when my 16 month old decides that it would be fun the play with the scissors around my speakers. Argghh!

So, I am wondering about the ones I haven't seen & heard from some people who have actually seen and heard both. Outlaw? Sunfire? Others? I hear a lot of people talk up their personal sub, but if they haven't heard Velodyne HGS, then they really may not have an accurate means of comparison. Gene does - others do. Opinions are appreciated for sure.

Or should I just wait and find another deal on a HGS-10?

 

[9f9c7z]

Talked to Velodyne this morning. No, an HGS-15x will not fit in a DD-15 cabinet. Amps are different physical sizes.

Another difference between the HGS and DD is the HGS uses an analog accelerometer and the DD uses a digital one to interface with all the DSP that is available inside the DD models.

Velodyne is playing the ‘authorized dealer’ game that so many electronics manfs now play. If you buy from an un-authorized dealer, no warranty…or so they would have me believe. All Velodyne products must be purchased face-to-face with the retailer in order to acquire the factory warranty. As per Velodyne, there are no authorized dealers selling mail order or online. The HGS-15x is available from a couple different websites for $500 under MSRP.

My room size is 18-ft x 24-ft x 9-ft ceiling. Velodyne suggested a 12-in subwoofer would probably do it unless I listen loud, but no harm in going with a 15-inch for a few bucks more.

The HGS series was the flagship line for Velodyne before the DD series was introduced. Supposedly, the DD has greater control over the speaker and so ‘better’ sound. Sorry, I can’t quantify or qualify that last statement.

Ray - looks like you’re only half done. We need another of your excellent reviews, one of the Velodyne DD-15 to compare to the HGS-15x.


Btw – I sent you a pm with a link for chart graphics to aspire to. Good luck.

 

[RLA]

Ray - looks like you’re only half done. We need another of your excellent reviews, one of the Velodyne DD-15 to compare to the HGS-15x.

I would be willing to do that
Just keep the price differences in mind when comparing subwoofers. The
extra cost of upgrading to the DD-15 may be worth it to some, but others may find a better use for all that cash they saved Personally I would use the $$ I saved and purchase a room treatment package. Others may not have this option so the DD-15 may be a better solution for them.

The other thing to keep in mind is that
room correction software incorporated into receivers and Pre/Pro’s is getting better by the day

Thanks for the graphs
I am limited to the software that I am currently using It is very accurate but
Limited in detail

 

[tdeluce]

Velodyne HGS-15X with Denon AVR-4806 for MultiEQ

Hello,

I just purchased the Velodyne HGS-15X based on
your review and the fact that it is basically the
DD-15 without MultiEQ.

I currently have the Denon AVR-4802 but will
be upgrading to the Denon AVR-4806 whenever
they update the receiver with DTS-HD and Dolby
Digital + sound formats. My thinking is that
I can use the Audessy MultEQ on the Denon
in place of the MultiEQ on the DD-15.

What do you think the differences in results might
be?

Thanks for your review and help,

Tony

 

[tdeluce]

authorized online Velodyne dealers

According to the Velodyne website the following are authorized online retailers:

http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/dealer/online.aspx?sid=832l785x