Any Experience wot Velodyne SPL 1200 ultra

[Deleted member 116933]

Hi Peeps

As the title say really. I have the chance to try out and buy Velodyne 1200 ultra. As it been out a while are there any problems i should be aware of. dose anyone have any experiance of it At the moment i Have a paradym sesmic 110 Lovely but im getting fed up having to find a PC (all mac house hold) to EQ it.

I can't find many reviews of the 1200 plenty of the 1000 and what hi fi has a review of the 800 and 1000 and both get really good reviews. I looking forward to having a 12inch woofer back again.

best M

 

[CnoEvil]

I used to own the SPL 1200R, which was the previous model, so I assume was not a hundred miles away.

It's a terrific sub...but so is the Seismic 110.

I would rather have the Seismic over the SPL800 and SPL1000....whether I went for the SPL1200 over the Seismic, would probably depend on room size.

Check reviews for the SPL1200R...and the Ultra version should be even better.

 

[bigboss]

Just to throw a curveball, check out KK DXD 12012 made by the inventor of the subwoofer. I've got the awesome 808.

I've heard the Velodyne SPL 800 ultra and that's very good. 1200 should be even better.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Hummm will give it a look......

 

[Deleted member 116933]

I really just want the bigger cone size and the potenial for bigger room use. The room is man pad really 2.5m wide and 3.5m long but the room is a big sucky as some of walls are stud..which brings me to the internal EQ in the newer ultra subwoorfers as the pioneer amps dosent EQ the subwoofer per say (only go down to around 60HZ on the one that i have i l know the newer models have the ablity to do that now though. I know the sismic has an EQ and its very apt at it but i have to find a PC every time (hard work)

I would like to know though if you had any problems in craftman ship and cone distortion?(cone distortion is relavtive as it depend on enviroment). Sound like it might be solid investment though

 

[CnoEvil]

My sub was well put together and could easily shake a room that was 14' (w) x 21' (l) x 11' (h).

The only cheap item was the very plasticy remote...the original one had something on the inside come loose and rattle about, so was replaced.

I found that it sounded better on my suspended wooden floor when placed on an Auralex Gramma.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Thats cool many thanks for letting me know. Ill give it a whirle then and see how it preforms.... I know dredd sound fantastic on the seismic 110. I just feel i miss that last little bit that a slighly bigger woofer can give. But we will see how it compares

 

[CnoEvil]

Please report back with how the two compare.....the Seismic 110 is the best small Sub that I've heard....but sometimes it's extra inches that matter!

 

[ellisdj]

had the 1200 ultra on home demo tbh no better than a BK XLS400 at much more money

little dissapointed - sounds like a small sub which it is, there is no escaping physics without mad design skills which costs £££££ and i bet there would still be compromise.

Then comes in the SVS SB13 Ultra - absolute different class of subwoofer, I would hazard a guess up there with the JL Audios in some regards.

However i did not use the built in eq when testing the 1200 Ultra - that is a dreadful thing to do in my eyes, however do not for 1 second think i didnt give the sub a fair test. I fully measured the sub in room response and set an eq to do just the opposite, get the sub working in a room with some bass trapping

The SVS is a different class of sub to the Velodyne, which just sounded ok.

Speak to Nick at HSound for great home demo services, but the SVS has no Auto EQ but is worth having a cheap laptop in the cupboard especially for setting it up

 

[CnoEvil]

had the 1200 ultra on home demo tbh no better than a BK XLS400 at much more money

little dissapointed - sounds like a small sub which it is, there is no escaping physics without mad design skills which costs £££££ and i bet there would still be compromise.

Then comes in the SVS SB13 Ultra - absolute different class of subwoofer, I would hazard a guess up there with the JL Audios in some regards.

However i did not use the built in eq when testing the 1200 Ultra - that is a dreadful thing to do in my eyes, however do not for 1 second think i didnt give the sub a fair test. I fully measured the sub in room response and set an eq to do just the opposite, get the sub working in a room with some bass trapping

The SVS is a different class of sub to the Velodyne, which just sounded ok.

Speak to Nick at HSound for great home demo services, but the SVS has no Auto EQ but is worth having a cheap laptop in the cupboard especially for setting it up

Interesting.

At the time, I compared it (previous model) with offerings from Rel and Kef and felt it was better.....the EQ made a decent difference. I'm surprised you found it no better than the XLS 400.

I can't comment on SVS, as I haven't heard one.

 

[ellisdj]

There was no comparison between the SVS and Velodyne - the SVS is miles better and reviews as such.

The way it presussrises the room is incredible - I was expecting a bass beast but its not its smooth as you like.

No growling or booming - smooth and fast, tight and accurate. I dont remember the Velodyne growling or booming as such but it didnt have anything like the presence oif the SVS and I dont think the presence of the XLS400 either.

The Velodyne sounded like a small sub by comparison to the SVS - its about half the size - the SVS is only a bit bigger than the XLS400

Now I dont sit on any boundaries, I sit near the middle of the room. This means the sub has to work hard to produce bass the way I set it up / require it - Hard Knee House Curve

However factor this in - I measured 3 competely different subs in the same spot in my room and the bass response was near identical.

So when people say they get deeper bass from this one or this from that one I doubt they are actually getting any difference in this area / regard. Not saying all subs are the same they are not but its important to know where the differences will be if you spend more £££

Clean bass is where its at - there are some very good reviews that review distortion produced by subs at what frequencies.

So not fully subjective actually scientific which you can be with subs

In these review the Velodynes dont do very well in comparison either

 

[Deleted member 116933]

To be honest I have heard the bk sub and in terms of build and sound quality (magnet structure, longer throw, power. all the things that make a small sub great) my siesmic 110 beats it hands down in my room with the eq activated and tuned in and thats the key point in my room. The eq dose allow for better sound especailly as the room is a little soft.

I have looked at the svs and acording to sales man to get the awsome performace you really have to turn up the wick to get the most out of it.... Dont know if that is true or not. also my speakers arnt the biggest, not really to sure if there up to the challenge of playing with the SVS.

Almost every one i speak to says the velodyne is a good choice for a subwoofer. I can see if i can stretch to SVS to try it out (im getting a good price on the velodyne so may be a big jump) but it may be to much of a stretch. also im dubiouse of distrotion test as everyone use a different techniques to obtain them. So in my mind there not worth the paper there written on (no disrespcet intented at all though)

But with no room (sub eq which i care more about) eq which my subwoofer will need, the SVS may be useless in my room no amount of power will defeat a room mode! which is what i found with the BK subwoofer. I prefer to have comprimise to somethng that maybe all but usless in my room but ill have to see. Ill give it ago and go from there.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

It's Nick im speaking to by the way and he told me SVS is good but has to be pushed to heard at its best. He knows i dont listen at reference levels and never really get close so he recomended the velodyne.

also i dont really want to by laptop i hate the things. I could boot camp that mac but its such a polava.

Ill have a listen and see

 

[bigboss]

had the 1200 ultra on home demo tbh no better than a BK XLS400 at much more money

little dissapointed - sounds like a small sub which it is, there is no escaping physics without mad design skills which costs £££££ and i bet there would still be compromise.

I can understand the comment for the 800 ultra or even 1000, but what's wrong with physics with a 12-inch cone in the 1200 ultra? Even BK is 12".

 

[Deleted member 116933]

I think he was mostly on about the distortion levels with the velodyne and the BK being better (which i take with a very large pinch of salt) i think!

Just looking as well. The internal volume is almost the same the velodyne is basicly a 16inch cube about inch smaller on all sides so shouldnt be a vast differenece in output.

Ill stick with the velo for now ill have it in a week or 2

 

[ellisdj]

Each to their own.

The SVS you set with a high gain on the sub volume level - but then control the output with the processor sub level.

This is to not overload the input circuit - it is a very big driver and probably could do with 3000watts but that would cost a lot more to make and therefore buy

All rooms will need some EQ - but it doesnt have to be done in the sub - I think its actually counter productive in terms of time delay as its more processing going on further down the chain.

If its done in the processor its happening at the start of things - probably minor but important to me, plus I didnt like the limited options on the velodyne or the remote system. The demo model I had didnt work great either but I know that will be down to a life of mistreatment

I do listen loud but the SVS is good at all levels it doesnt have to be turned right up. I have a lot of late night listening nowdays as well. But when you do turn it up the bass is unlike any other sub I have had in my room - its properly clean and full

If you look at hometheatreshack Bass Zone lots of subs have been tested in the exact same way - the best they tested is the SB 13 Ultra and the reviewer bought one over buying the DXD1202 as its better. That is very high praise indeed

This is where you see technically what the Velodynes are capable of as they are in there as well - nothing to write home about.

There is this review site he reviews quite a few different hiogh end subs including JL Auduios Paradigm References the really expensive ones etc. Read the review of the SB 13 Ultra and he has reviewed mostly the best other subs, I think he bought one as well

There is some very good info on that site. My SB13 Ultra cost me no more than the 1200 Ultra would have been and there is no comparison between them. Nick was great for me and I cant recommend him highly enough - he felt the Velodynes were better so I dare say that is his advice to you. It might make life a bit easier for someone with limited setup knowledge but the performance is honeslty sub par - I have had similar performance from the £400 BK in my system

DavidVann has been round for a Tron and Pacific Rim and music demo - ask him what he thinks the sub is capable of

 

[bigboss]

Can you post the link showing comparison between SVS and KK? KK has two 12" cones as opposed to one 13" in SVS. Besides, it had the lowest distortion level measured on any subwoofer according to this:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/subwoofers/subwoofers-reviews/ken-kreisel-dxd-12012-dual-12-push-pull-subwoofer/page-5-conclusions.html

Not to mention the subwoofer of choice in recording studios of major film productions.

 

[ellisdj]

This very nice conlcusion sums it up pretty well

Rasco’s Wrap
Since I have started reviewing subwoofers back in 2010, I have had an opportunity to get my hands on and play with a lot of great products. This year alone I have had seven different units in my hands and even several in the new Home Theater Shack Sub Zone. Each one of them has their strengths, weaknesses and a unique place in the market. It is for this reason that I personally always try to refrain from comparing manufacturers to one another because more often than not there are far too many variables, personal preferences and other opinions to consider.

Read more: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/62796-svs-sb13-ultra-subwoofer-review.html#ixzz3GmeoWTcF

The SVS SB13 Ultra is a completely different animal all around. It is not only a gorgeous piece of hardware but it performs like no other sub I have ever heard. While the ground plane test and published specs may be on par with other manufacturer products, at least on the low end, there is no way to measure articulation. The real story for the SB13 is not how it stacks up to competitors but rather how will other sub manufacturers possibly reach the bar that SVS has set with the SB13 Ultra. It is not just the aesthetics. It is not just the power. It is not just the precision and it is not just the level of detail that can be heard in the VLF range. It is all of these things combined that make the SB13 Ultra my Sub Zone Reviewer’s Choice. There is simply no better performing subwoofer in its class. Knowing that there is a subwoofer that can reproduce incredibly dynamic bass with as much clarity, precision and 'Refined Brutality' for less than $2K ($1599 with free shipping to be exact) is a testament to the commitment of the SVS team and they should be applauded for it. Job well done!

 

[bigboss]

This is what Dale says regarding SVS vs KK:

"It has a more robust set of features such as the PEQ and the difference in sound quality was not enough to justify the additional cost."

Read more: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/svsound/62797-svs-sb13-ultra-subwoofer-review-discussion-thread-2.html#ixzz3GmhCR4Ky

Am I wrong to interpret this as: "Yes, KK is better for sound quality, but if you factor in the price, SVS offers more for the money".

 

[ellisdj]

Of course

This is one

This is two

This site loves off the DX1202 and I read while doing my reseearch that Dale the guy who does these reviews was going to buy the DX1202 - but bought the SB13 Ultra Instead.

Think he has moved onto DIY which is the next step up again.

Having 2 drivers in push pull is not everything, but is a good way of reducing distortion, there are clearly other ways

 

[ellisdj]

I might have missed that post, but honestly if you keep looking someone says - what did you buy in the end - and he says I bought ths SB13 Ultra over the KK. Then I am sure he says but I have since gone to diy subs (in this instance you can use proper good amps to drive the speaker which will always murder a small digital amp thats encased in the box)

I did a lot of reading on the SVS before I purchased and I home demo'd as well

I wouldnt sweat if I already owned the KK you will get good clean bass out if it - however I was all set to buy the KK but after reading more and more on the SVS its clearly a standout product at a ridiculous cheap price. So Cheap you can have 2 of them for the same money.

I was offered a JLAudio F113 on home demo shortly after and decided there was no need, This is originally what I wanted to buy so i was very tempted by the good offer - The SVS can do everything you need of it to in the bass department - all the way up to higher bass registers.

Admittedly I was reluctant to try the JL in case it was a lot better, but more importantly I didnt want to move my SVS because I was so happy with the bass performance where it was situated and its a big job moving it and getting it back in the right spot.

Very very very good sub - its more important that I think is relaised and it provides foundation for everything else

 

[bigboss]

I have no doubt in my mind that SVS makes some of the best subs in the market. I was just trying to clarify your comment that it's better than KK which is about £500 more.

Whether the performance difference justifies the price difference depends on the individual person. Some people (including yourself) like to extract that little bit of increased performance, price no bar (some of your equipment is testament to that).

I've been chatting with David on emails and he believes that KK DXD 12012 is the best subwoofer he's ever heard despite recommending SVS to me based on my budget.

I have a huge respect for David because his advice has always been impartial. He could have easily sold me an SVS along with rest of the stuff I'm getting from him. I asked his views on DXD808 which I was getting for £799 ex-demo. He recommended me to go for it (despite meaning a lost sale for him).

 

[bigboss]

No single product suits everyone. Dedicated subwoofer manufacturers like KK, MK sound, Velodyne, BK and SVS all make brilliant subwoofers and I don't think buying from any of these specialist brands is a mistake. That's my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

At the mo his advice is the velodyne he dose love them . And from my personal experance its the subwoofer that benfit most from eq's as the contain all of the freqences that are arguably the most important. Hence the resaon Audysssy puts so much effort in to the subwoofer and not the main channels.. But i do argue you have to use eq's specfically designed for that subwoofer to protect it from damage (as the engieers know how fare to push). Something that audyssy has done to my subwoofers in the past. Damage it that is.

Also in pioneers case the amp just adjust the distant to deal with the delay so no real processing is going on really as the sub is set on a conture inside the amp(pionner) dosnt have to think at all.

This is why i find velodyn so attractive its all separated.

Also Nick has sold me most of my system and knows the speakers he's working with, room shape and size so i think he recomendeing them based on the fact it will work the best with what i have. And that is really all i care about depth is secondary to cohesion.

I really dont have limited setup knowlege and is little insaulting to assume so. I just like ease and with all things Av/HIFI it mostly hit and miss there is no one right way to setup a system to be able to take a link out of the chain is god send to me.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Oh man that was a good buy so Gel!!!*biggrin*