Software Flaw In New Velodyne Subs?


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I was trolling the Velodyne site and came across the following review:

Velodyne really missed the boat on the software, arbitrarily limiting the low pass filter to 40hz with the DD-15+. Those of us with full-range speakers that desire a bit of reinforcement in the deep bass are forced to compromise by this artificial limitation.

The prior DD-15's software DOES allow the low-pass filter to be user-set down to 15hz. It a shame that in order to get increased functionality, I HAVE TO GO BACKWARDS AND USE MY DD-15 BECAUSE I CAN'T GET VELODYNE TO PUT THE SAME FUNCTIONALITY INTO THE DD-15+. A SUPPOSEDLY MUCH MORE ADVANCED SUB.

I have owned Velodyne subs for over 20 years now and customer service has been great, UNTIL NOW. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE FUNCTIONALITY THAT THEIR PRIOR PRODUCT HAD TO THE NEW (dd-15+) SUB THAT I ALSO OWN, IT WOULD TAKE "CUSTOM SOFTWARE", WHICH THEY DON'T DO. THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE IT.

Frequency...14.6 - 120 Hz
High Pass Crossover.....80 or 100 Hz at 6 dB/octave
Low Pass Crossover......40 Hz to 199 Hz (variable in 1
Hz increments) selectable slope
Default: 80 Hz @ 24 dB/Octave

According to the specs above, the sub goes down to 14 Hz. Does the subs' software limit it to go no lower than 40 Hz?

Can someone explain what this means? How would this be a limitation to full range speakers when the subs are used for 2 channel audio?
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mitch4t

Showing 1 response by dhl93449

I agree with previous posters. I don't know why someone would buy a sub that is good to 15 Hz, and then set its low pass filter to the lower 3 dB cutoff frequency of 15 Hz. That makes no sense. Its like buying an amplifier good for 20 Hz to 20 KHz, then feeding it through a low pass filter at 20 Hz. You are using the product well out of its intended design range.

The implication is that the full range speakers go down to 15 Hz already, so why do you need a sub? If you need reinforcement well below 15 hz, you don't buy a product that is good only to 15 Hz.

I think Velodyne's design criteria are fine. A minimum low pass crossover point within a octave or so of the lower cutoff frequency of 15 Hz is sufficient.