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The power behind this sub belies its cute size
The pinnacle of the revamped DD range is built for the biggest rooms
We use Velodyne's auto-EQ to tame a 15-inch sub-bass beast
While the idea of see-through speakers has been done before (usually bespoke for trade shows), only Velodyne has had the audacity to make a complete production item – an Acrylic version of the smallest (10in) of its Digital Drive (DD) subs. The result is probably the coolest AV product I have ever seen.
The Microvee is an aluminium extrusion with holes in the sides - covered with grilles - a black back plate and a neat cloth cover over the front. Remove the cover and you'll find a 6.5in driver, actually no bigger than the paired ones that live in the reference Acoustic Energy Veritas floorstanders which I use for fronts.
Allow us to introduce the Velodyne SPL series. These come with moulded front baffles that horn-load the woofers' output and a little window in the front. The Velodyne's neat grille (removed for our photoshoot) has a corresponding hole for infra red light to shine through, as this woofer comes complete with a test microphone and an infrared remote control system.
This latest offering from Velodyne, the CHT-15R, is only available in black. It oozes a certain self-assurance; it's upmarket and well-engineered and it knows it. The 'R' in its name alludes to the remote control
Velodyne adds DSP-based room EQ to its new entry-level range. But beware - this tiny box goes LOUD!
Velodyne's SPL (Small, Plays Loud) subwoofers have been living up to their acronym through two generations, and the third evolution looks set to be the best yet...
Stupidly powerful, supremely versatile and amazingly musical - spend a few minutes in the presence of the Velodyne 1812 and you'll feel honoured to have had the privilege
Costing around just £470, Velodyne's CHT-12R undercuts the other subwoofers in this group by quite a large margin. And this is despite the fact that it includes a 200W amplifier and 300mm front-firing bass driver.
Velodyne is one of the great names in subwoofers, with more understanding of the size issues involved than most. We're not going to guarantee that this subwoofer will make it past every sentry on every front door, though