(Originally posted in the Velodyne support Forum)
Ok, I’m reporting back after having my new SPL 1500R for a few days.

First off after being in this audio game since the sixties I have never had my system sound so coherent and solid from classical to pop since installing the SPL 1500R.
Between my brothers and I we’ve gone through a number of reiterations with Velodyne from the ULD12 in the eighties, the F18 and F1000 from the Foundation series and the HGS-18 with a few dabs of CHT and some HSU stuff.

Current associated equipment: Dynaudio Contour 1.3MKII’s/ Target HR60’s (lead @ sand), Bryton 3BST, Bryston BP25P, TEAC VRDS-20, and a Rega P3/2000 with Sumiko Blue Point II (wall mounted). Cables: various Audio Quest, Canare and Ultralink.
Listening Room: 10w x 13l x 10'h with hallway off to adjoining rooms.

Music: Feist “The Reminder”, The Sound “Shock of Daylight”, Bartok “Concerto for Orchestra, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta”(Charles Dutoit), Kraftwerk “Tour de France Sound Tracks”, Glenn Gould “The Gouldberg Variations”, Brian Eno “Another Day on Earth”, Anour Brahem “Thimar” with John Surman and Dave Holland, Depeche Mode “Violator”, Tim Brady “Strange Attractions”, Peter Bjorn and John “Writer Block”, Mickey Hart “Planet Drum”.

I first noticed how quiet this unit is, the servo units always had a low hissing noise, not a big deal but there non the less but with the SPL it appears quieter than a mouse, even with my ear up to the unit I questioned if it was on or not.
Also, although I’m not a big believer in break in (barring my Dynaudio Contours which are widely accepted to need about 250 hours) the SPL 1500R definitely loosened up after three days, extending the fluidity of the nether regions.
For the first 2 days I felt it was just a tad better than the F1000, which it replaced, nothing could have been further from the truth.

From Glenn Goulds’s “Goldberg Variations” to Depeche Mode’s Violator, Feist's “The Reminder and anything else I could throw on, the music just took on a better sense of realism and space.

Now, if I was a newbie at this game you could say I’m just finding out about the benefits of adding a sub, but I’ve owned and been exposed to numerous subs over the last twenty years.
Obviously the current Velodynes have improved over the years but I really believe that what I’m experiencing today is a result of the DSP implementation.
The Auto EQ has turned out to be a Godsend, the flat response that I’m getting was previously unattainable in my current listening room.
Previously I was never able to truly match the subs output with my main speakers without setting off unwanted emphasis of certain low frequencies, hence my continual use of the F1000 over the last decade.

Those weary of not going for a servo controlled unit ( I for one) should have no fear, Velodyne's Dynamic Driver Control System, or DDCS, has put any doubt I had to rest, in fact I’m almost convinced it is a better solution for distortion free listening.
The SPL 1500R has created a true audiophile experience when listening to music, regardless of genre.

Now another point I would like to emphasize, I was tentative about putting a 15” sub in a 10’ x 15’ room, but with the Auto EQ all that has been put to rest.
When it comes to generating a full scale flat audio spectrum, that almost suspends belief, I sincerely believe that is only attainable with the larger subs. Yes you can get a small powerful unit to shake the walls and add impact to music (sound), but when you really want to experience that sense of being-there (and I’m not talking about gut wrenching bass), heck Glenn Gould’s recording gave me a double take and I’ve listened to it for years, you need a big transducer and for me the SPL 1500R was just the ticket.

thanks for sharing

Very nice review.

Excellent review! I am currently looking very seriously at the SPL 1500. Do you know how it might compare to the Martin Logan Depth? The Logan is an Analog Servo sub with 3 8" woofers and 300 watts of power(500 peak). Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Excellent review, thanks for taking the time to so carefully describe what the experience you had in upgrading meant for your system.

You mention the room being only 15x10 feet ... we often overlook the value of a smaller room. It is easier to handle in every way than is a large room. That may be my next upgrade ... :)

Excellent review! I am currently looking very seriously at the SPL 1500. Do you know how it might compare to the Martin Logan Depth? The Logan is an Analog Servo sub with 3 8" woofers and 300 watts of power(500 peak). Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Not familiar with the Martin Logan, there are a lot of products out there but most of us do not have the time, money or energy to go through even a fraction of what is there.
Non the less, the SPL 1500R completely disappeared by blending in so seamlessly with the rest of my system and the room, I’m sure I would be hard pressed to find a better setup.
It’s not just the bass that I was looking for, but also that sense of standing on the edge of the performance or abyss where the speakers, sub and the rest of the equipment step aside. When it works you get this eerie sensation of being there, all the audio cues fall into place and you feel you are no longer listening to a recording.
Maybe I was just lucking falling into the right synergy, but Velodyne’s implementation of DSP Auto EQ works.

The Logan is an Analog Servo sub with 3 8" woofers and 300 watts of power(500 peak). Any info would be greatly appreciated.
From my real life experience no number of 8” drivers will create the same seamless occurrence as a large driver. You may experience more impact with multiple drivers, but for me that’s not what this hobby is about. A large transducer is necessary in creating that fluidity from octave to octave for full audio bandwidth; it also frees up to rest of the audio spectrum allowing it to breath, and never calls attention to itself.

I have read in other forum posts, that once you have a servo sub, you can never go back to anything else. They claim it has that tight, non boomy sound. While they make not shake your pictures of the wall, they supposedly just sound better. I was thinking that the Depth with smaller drivers, would keep up better with the Gallo Reference AV's I am purchasing. They have an electrostatic like sound quality, and need a speedy sub. Do you think the 15 inch sub would keep up? One thing the Velodyne has that the Depth doesn't, is the mic to help calibrate the system...That sounds like a crucial piece to me!

The SLP 1500R actually uses Velodyne's new Dynamic Driver Control System, or DDCS and I find it works extremely well. I was a bit tentative about a non servo controlled driver, after using them for many years,but, I must say I'm very happy with results of the DDCS system. I find it on par if not better than the servo.

One thing the Velodyne has that the Depth doesn't, is the mic to help calibrate the system...That sounds like a crucial piece to me!
The Auto EQ system, for me made all the difference in the world.

I I was thinking that the Depth with smaller drivers, would keep up better with the Gallo Reference AV's I am purchasing. They have an electrostatic like sound quality, and need a speedy sub. Do you think the 15 inch sub would keep up?
One word that has never come to mind using Velodynes over the years is slow.
There have been many discussions on the topic larger subs being slow, we just mentally equate large with slow, but like the wheel, the rim keeps up with hub.

I don't agree on the 8" drivers vs single larger driver.

I do think the auto EQ makes a big difference and more people on the forum need to get their head out of the snad and understabd this and the fact that Audyssey is not taking care of it. Everyone's worried about more output and how low it goes when they should buy an SMS1 or equivalent rather than upgrading.

The 15" is a very nice sub, but expensive.

I don't agree on the 8" drivers vs single larger driver.

Depends on what one wishes to accomplish. If it’s bass slam my Dyns already go done fairly well, but to recreate those lower sub harmonics which are never really heard but add a certain life or reality to even quite acoustic recordings you need to set off those vibrations to move air at those lower frequencies; which smaller drives cannot physically do.
Multiple drivers can appear to work together, but in reality they are only reinforcing those upper harmonics which are related to the real sub frequencies.
The smaller drivers are sort of like using a fan to cool off, it works but central air takes over by subtly and quietly by cooling off the whole room.

A case in point
http://www.royaldevice.com/custom.htm#HORN%20SUBWOOFER

I went to Velodynes site, and came away a bit frustrated...I used there subwoofer selection wizard, and it kept telling me I should buy a Signature 1812, or a DD-18 for my size room...I have a 24'x24' great room with a cathedral ceiling that peaks at around 13 feet. There is a 9' foot opening into a kitchen. Does this mean unless I spend $5000 plus on a subwoofer, I will never get satisfying sound in a space of this size??? At this point I was thinking of picking up a ML Depth and a Vekodyne SMS-1 management system, and calling my subwoofer quest over. Is room size this big a deal?

I went to Velodynes site, and came away a bit frustrated...I used there subwoofer selection wizard, and it kept telling me I should buy a Signature 1812, or a DD-18 for my size room...I have a 24'x24' great room with a cathedral ceiling that peaks at around 13 feet. There is a 9' foot opening into a kitchen. Does this mean unless I spend $5000 plus on a subwoofer, I will never get satisfying sound in a space of this size??? At this point I was thinking of picking up a ML Depth and a Vekodyne SMS-1 management system, and calling my subwoofer quest over. Is room size this big a deal?

takes alot of sub or subs to fill a large space to a certain db level there are
cheaper alternatives now from other companies.

Hi Ozrech, what are the cheaper alternatives that you recommend?

I went to Velodynes site, and came away a bit frustrated...I used there subwoofer selection wizard, and it kept telling me I should buy a Signature 1812, or a DD-18 for my size room...I have a 24'x24' great room with a cathedral ceiling that peaks at around 13 feet. There is a 9' foot opening into a kitchen. Does this mean unless I spend $5000 plus on a subwoofer, I will never get satisfying sound in a space of this size??? At this point I was thinking of picking up a ML Depth and a Vekodyne SMS-1 management system, and calling my subwoofer quest over. Is room size this big a deal?

I’m not an expert by far, but a 24’ x 24’ square is not an ideal configuration and can lead to bass cancellation. Two SPL 1500’s might give you fairly good bass reinforcement if you can corner load each unit, it would be interesting to hear the results on how the Auto EQ works on smoothing out the resonances in a square room.
What are your main speakers and are you looking at mostly music or HT.

Actually you may need to stack them.

I am purchasing Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference Av's. You can check them out at

http://www.roundsound.com/reference-av-speakers.htm

The room is set up into three areas. We have a family room area, a dining area and a home office area. Will this help, instead of having one big open square area? I listen to a lot of music, so that is important. We will be watching a lot of movies with the kids, and it will be used for videogames as well.

Hi Ozrech, what are the cheaper alternatives that you recommend?

i have found that svs offers an amazing sub for the money but i am still a big fan of the velo dd-18. the new ultra from svs at 1500.00 for what it does is
hard to beat.

Well the DD-18 is a bit pricey...I have looked into the SVS's in the past, but their cabinets are huge and not very WAF friendly at all. Do you think if i properly calibrated a Depth with something such as the Velodyne SMS-1, I could get the quality of sound I am looking for in this size room, without the obvious house shaking ability?

Well the DD-18 is a bit pricey...I have looked into the SVS's in the past, but their cabinets are huge and not very WAF friendly at all. Do you think if i properly calibrated a Depth with something such as the Velodyne SMS-1, I could get the quality of sound I am looking for in this size room, without the obvious house shaking ability?

you may want to look at craigsub's rating the chart will give you a good
idea how each of the popular brands rate for both music and movies the
ultra is top dog currently.

Just a follow-up, this sub just continues to impress. Listening to Kraftwerk’s Minimum-Maximum over the weekend the SPL 1500R was able to lock into the room, extending the realism of this live performance.
It digs deep and gives a true harmonic rendition and not a generic bass frequency way down yonder, blending perfectly with my Contours which are crossed over with internal crossover. Volume for the sub is at about 28-30 max.
Also little things like the use of the subs remote came in handy while listening to Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission by Bill Laswel andc Jah Wabble, these guys quite often can over power any system and it was nice just to stay seated while adjusting the bass volume.
Overall this SPL which probably should have been called MPL is a welcome addition which has greatly enhanced my music appreciation.
Not too sure what a DD would add to my musical enjoyment over the SPL 1500R but I’m sure there are more than a few nit-pickers out there.
And once again anyone debating moving up from the older Foundation or HGS series to the SPL or DD line or putting a the 15" SLP in a smaller room should have no reservations.

Just a follow-up, this sub just continues to impress. Listening to Kraftwerk’s Minimum-Maximum over the weekend the SPL 1500R was able to lock into the room, extending the realism of this live performance.
It digs deep and gives a true harmonic rendition and not a generic bass frequency way down yonder, blending perfectly with my Contours which are crossed over with internal crossover. Volume for the sub is at about 28-30 max.
Also little things like the use of the subs remote came in handy while listening to Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission by Bill Laswel andc Jah Wabble, these guys quite often can over power any system and it was nice just to stay seated while adjusting the bass volume.
Overall this SPL which probably should have been called MPL is a welcome addition which has greatly enhanced my music appreciation.
Not too sure what a DD would add to my musical enjoyment over the SPL 1500R but I’m sure there are more than a few nit-pickers out there.
And once again anyone debating moving up from the older Foundation or HGS series to the SPL or DD line or putting a the 15" SLP in a smaller room should have no reservations.


Hello,
This is my 1st time here, thanks for putting up so much reviews and opinions on the Velodyne Subs. I've been debating betweeen the SPL1200R and the SPL1500R, seems like the 12" model gets a better glossy finish than the 15", but I'm more concern on the perforamance, I wonder how much better the 15" performs over the 12"? Based on the spec, they all use the same amplifier and same magnet, but the 15" goes down to 20hz, anyone has any side by side experience with these subs?

Great review, thanks.

I've had my spl-800r for almost two years now and love it. While it's a tight, quick sub and works well with my Triad Gold Omnis in a small room, I've found it just lacks depth with larger systems/rooms. I'm about ready to move that sub to my bedroom system and the SPL-1500 will be my next sub.

Great review, thanks.

I've had my spl-800r for almost two years now and love it. While it's a tight, quick sub and works well with my Triad Gold Omnis in a small room, I've found it just lacks depth with larger systems/rooms. I'm about ready to move that sub to my bedroom system and the SPL-1500 will be my next sub.

Thanks. I'm also looking at the new Sunfire True Sub EQ, 2700w, Vs the SPL1500R, they priced around the same. Which one is better, anyone ?

Hello,
This is my 1st time here, thanks for putting up so much reviews and opinions on the Velodyne Subs. I've been debating betweeen the SPL1200R and the SPL1500R, seems like the 12" model gets a better glossy finish than the 15", but I'm more concern on the perforamance, I wonder how much better the 15" performs over the 12"? Based on the spec, they all use the same amplifier and same magnet, but the 15" goes down to 20hz, anyone has any side by side experience with these subs?
If size is not an issue when it comes to subs, larger is usually better.
In this case the 1200 and 1500 are both great performers, but the 1500 will move more air at lower frequencies and is just as fast.

Hello,
This is my 1st time here, thanks for putting up so much reviews and opinions on the Velodyne Subs. I've been debating betweeen the SPL1200R and the SPL1500R, seems like the 12" model gets a better glossy finish than the 15", but I'm more concern on the perforamance, I wonder how much better the 15" performs over the 12"? Based on the spec, they all use the same amplifier and same magnet, but the 15" goes down to 20hz, anyone has any side by side experience with these subs?

I've owned both. I returned the SPL1200 because it didn't dig as deep as the 1500. I have full range speakers (Mirage OM-5) and the 1200 just gave me the same output and depth as the my full range speakers. The 1500 is a different animal all together. Both are very tight, musical, and refined. Both are great subs and had my speakers not been full range the 1200 might have fit my needs. If you can afford to get the 1500 go for it.

I have read in other forum posts, that once you have a servo sub, you can never go back to anything else. They claim it has that tight, non boomy sound.
A good generalization, but there are certainly exceptions.