Velodyne DD: 10 or 12?


Will be replacing a REL Strata II which is very nice, but a recent upgrade has left me looking for more. I like the room correction idea but now am wondering if I should upsize. The Strata II is an 8" driver and seems to have provided adequate bass in my large-ish room, but maybe that is due to down-firing? The floor is carpet over wood, with a full-height basement beneath so there is some reverb due to that. Am also using a Gramma/SubDude which I like and will probably keep.

For budget reasons am considering only the 10 or 12, so the 15 and 18 are not really players for me. Looking at specs the only diff seems to be 1.7" in driver size, amps, etc all the same, and the 12 goes 1 hz lower, which I don't see as significantly different. Is the 12 worth the extra $500 msrp for a budget-conscious decision? Obviously I can afford it if I am considering it but prefer to not overspend.

Would be interested to hear esp from users who have weighed this type of choice before.

On an aside, which finish is preferred in general? The gloss black is no doubt attractive but am concerned about how it would wear. Most of the gear is black/dark but it is parked on a Salamander Twin 20, in cherry, which seems to be close to the Velo cherry.
kck

Showing 5 responses by rwwear

I would go with the best you can afford and that would be the 12. Even though it will only go 1hz lower and has the same size amp it has a larger driver and box which means it will have more output. In other words the amp will have to work less hard to produce the same output.
Two 10s should be better than one 12. But when only going for one, I would go with the 12. You can always turn down the bass or Eq it to your room. Besides you may also add another 12 at some point or move to a larger room.
There is a very good article on the DD-12 in the Dec 2004 issue of Stereophile Ultimate AV. There has been a software update since the review was printed.
I imagine if you cross the sub over high enough you could compensate for a dip in the main speakers. Having parametric EQ can make a big difference in sound quality.