About Velodyne

Velodyne Acoustics - The Story

Defining Bass Over 35 Years

Velodyne Acoustics stands for perfection in low-frequency reproduction.
And not just since the era of home theater. Our subwoofers are the fusion of technical excellence and a timelessly beautiful industrial design.“

We are the subwoofer specialists

Velodyne Acoustics was founded under this guiding principle in 1983. And until today we have remained true to this credo: Velodyne Acoustics delivers a unique low-frequency foundation that really brings music, games and movies to life.

As a subwoofer specialist, we have dedicated our entire research and development efforts to this goal. As a result, we are one of the subwoofer manufacturers that hold the most patents in this segment today.


Facts and figures

197 
Patents in subwoofer construction
425
Reviews with an excellent grade
1983
Founded in Silicon Valley
2019
Move to Germany

∞many possibilities for music, home theater & gaming

Analog know-how and digital mastery

Much has changed in the world of consumer electronics over the past decades that Velodyne Acoustics has existed in the market. The triumph of microelectronics ushered in a new era in the development of components for an even more brilliant music and movie experience. In addition, the reproduction of the sounds of the emerging game consoles played an increasingly important role.

Over the past decades, we have always used the most advanced technologies to make our products the best on the market. However, we have never lost the tradition of building excellent loudspeakers. On the contrary – when you choose a Velodyne Acoustics product, you are buying a masterpiece of acoustic know-how combined with state-of-the-art digital technology.

Our power is your passion

When you choose a Velodyne Acoustics subwoofer, you’ll experience home entertainment at a new level of quality that pulls you right into the middle of the action – with unique detail and a rich low-frequency foundation. Completely rediscover the works of your favorite performer, game studio or director.

A German-American friendship

When Dave Hall launched Velodyne Acoustics in 1983, with the aim of transforming the enjoyment of music and movies in the home into a new experience, he had a unique feel for a mega trend. Today, it is impossible to imagine consumer electronics without subwoofers. With pioneering products and patents, Velodyne Acoustics has made a significant mark on an entire product category.

In 2019, Mansour Mamaghani, with his company Audio Reference, a long-time German distributor of Velodyne Acoustics, acquired the company. And so, the Californian subwoofer forge joined the “Hanseatic League.”—ready to define a new generation of bass for the next 30 years.

New technologies & patents

In order to ensure maximum output power with minimal distortion, pioneering anti-clipping circuits monitor the amplifier so that the subwoofer can always perform at its best without causing distortion. Exclusive ‘dynamic compression’ circuits and functions to protect against overloading ensure operational reliability and durability in a Velodyne Acoustics subwoofer. The extensive tests and quality controls make Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers the most reliable in the world. And so it is not surprising that Velodyne Acoustics holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer in the industry.

Definition of the benchmark for more than three decades

In recent years, testers, music lovers, and home theater fans have agreed that Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers are the best in the world. Here are a few excerpts:

“What is most striking about the sound is the seamless blend from a smooth, well-articulated bottom end…up”
—Audio Video Interiors

“When Velodyne announces a new subwoofer, the earth trembles…literally.”
—Stereophile Guide to Home Theater

“…the lowest distortion I have ever measured in a subwoofer.”
—Secrets of Home Theater

“If I were their competition, I’d be worried that Velodyne has just put most of them in checkmate with this very impressive line of subs.”
—Audioholics

Birth in Silicon Valley

Velodyne Acoustics has been the world’s leading subwoofer manufacturer for over 35 years, so it’s no surprise that the company was founded in Silicon Valley – known worldwide as the melting pot for high-tech innovations and inventions. Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers represent the fusion of technical top performance with a timelessly beautiful industrial design.

Velodyne Acoustics breakthrough

David Hall, founder and first chief engineer of Velodyne Acoustics, introduced a new, groundbreaking technology in subwoofer construction in 1983 that revolutionized the reproduction of low frequencies. This invention was the driving force and breakthrough for the ULD-18, which incorporated a patented accelerometer-based high-gain servo system to achieve perfect control over the deflection of the diaphragm.

The massive speaker system, weighing almost 60 kilograms, played louder and deeper than anything else on the market and had 20 to 30 times lower distortion values. The ULD-18 received dozens of international awards and recommendations, including the ‘Special Engineering Award’ in 1984.

Technologies for the best bass

With the continuous development of its technologies, Velodyne Acoustics has pushed the boundaries of subwoofer development ever further. With groundbreaking inventions such as:

  • Dual Tandem Voice Coil
  • Energy Recovery Amplifier
  • Digital High Gain Servo-Control
  • Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System

For more information, see Technologies.

DSP technology finds its way into subwoofers

In 2003, Velodyne introduced the world’s first digital subwoofer with DSP technology. The use of a digital signal processor (DSP) in subwoofers enabled precision playback and pioneering operational reliability. The digital equalizers, crossovers and filters ensured the highest possible performance with Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers

Flexibility that enables seamless integration into any system

Velodyne Acoustics subwoofers have the most flexible and extensive setting options on the market to enable perfect acoustic adjustment in any system. The high quality crossover technology in all Velodyne subwoofers can currently double the usable power of the receiver and reduce the distortion of the main speakers by using the ‘Subwoofer Direct’ feature with the LFE output. Velodyne Acoustics engineers developed the most accurate crossover parameters to create an optimal fit in all systems, regardless of the size of the speakers.

The future of the subwoofer

In recent years the audio industry has shifted its focus towards user-friendly installation. Velodyne Acoustics is leading this path, starting with the world’s first remotely controllable subwoofer to easy-to-use room bass eq systems and easy-to-install in-wall, in-cabinet, in-floor and in-room subwoofers. The ability to find the perfect bass setting for music, home theater and games at the touch of a button shows that Velodyne Acoustics has the right subwoofer for every application.