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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 2 responses by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
I know that many disagree, but IMHO, Irv got it 100% right. To get the maximum benefit, the sub should be crossed in high enough to address room issues. IME, that usually means somewhere north (often well north, depending on the room) of 70hz.

I have other issues with the Velo software but the low pass range isn't among them. As to the confusion re: low pass filters....

It may be easier to think of them as "high cut" filters, cutting the high frequency end of the sub's output.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Fplanner,

Just a question re: measurements at the listening position:

Did you not get superior measurements with the sub crossed higher?

I've measured a dozen plus systems in a half dozen rooms and - with the subs crossed above 70hz - have gotten MUCH better measured results 100% of the time. Obvious exclusion: if there's full range room EQ (Audyssey, etc), the comparison is moot.

I completely understand if you prefer the sound of the system that produced worse measurements (personal preference trumps measurements, IMO), but I'm really shocked that you've gotten relatively decent results when the subs are crossed too low to address the bottom 2 octaves. I have never seen anything like that.

Marty
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