Review

Velodyne SPL-800 Subwoofer Review

April 28, 2017 Speakers Subwoofers

Acrylic is available via custom order and carries an additional fee, contact Velodyne for more information.

Product Name: SPL-800
Manufacturer: Velodyne
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
MSRP:
$
1099

Specifications

Specifications Velodyne
SPL-800

Drivers: 8″ forward firing
(6.5″ piston diameter)

Kevlar reinforced Resin
Cone

2-1/2″ dual-layer
voice coil

Amplifier: 1200 watts Dynamic

600 watts RMS Power

High Pass
Crossover: 80Hz (6 dB/octave)

Low Pass
Crossover: 40Hz-120Hz *

or bypass for

Subwoofer Direct

Frequency Response: 28-120Hz

Magnet Structure: 204 oz. (12.7 lbs)

Inputs: Gold plated RCA line

and speaker level inputs

Outputs: Line-level 80Hz up

Phase Control: 0 or 180 degrees

Video Shielded: No

Protection: Dynamic compression

Impedance: N/A

Dimensions (H/W/D): 10-1/2″ X
10-1/4″ X 12″

(inc. feet &
grill)

Warranty
(parts/labor): Two years

Weight (approx.) 35 lbs.

Pros

Impressive output and depth for its size
Very high WAF

Cons

Pricey

Introduction

Subwoofers have been conventionally known for their deep bass extension
and wow factor, essential for today’s home theater systems, usually requiring a big heavy box loaded with
large woofers to achieve ultimate impact and performance. Until my experience with the Velodyne
SPL-800, I was happy with this stereotype about subwoofers as until that point, I
haven’t heard a small subwoofer that could do both music and movies justice. Enter the SPL-800. Occupying
less than one cubic foot, this little giant weighed in more than many other subwoofers over twice its
size. It wasn’t until I pulled the woofer out of the box that I discovered why. The motor structure
(12.7lbs magnet) of the single 8″ woofer of the SPL-800 was nearly as large as the woofer basket
itself.
It was obvious by the powerful motor structure, large voice coil (2 ½”), and, heavy duty
butyl rubber surround and extremely stiff cone material, that this subwoofer had one hell of an excursion
ability that many 10″ and 12″ lesser designed woofers could only dream about. I was very impressed with
the look and feel of the SPL-800. It had an unusually good build quality that I felt was not typical in
most subwoofers of this price range. I found the little blue light on top of the cabinet both
intoxicating and useful as it served me well as a nightlight. Moving on to the amplifier that powered
this monstrous little woofer, it was apparent that Velodyne was after a powerful, yet efficient design,
thus their reasoning behind choosing a 600 watt Class D amplifier.

Class D Amplifiers Explained

A class-D amplifier has an efficiency degree of normally more than 90%.
That means that more than 90% of the power which is delivered into the amp from the power supply is
transferred to the load, and less than 10% is transformed into heat as opposed to conventional
Class
AB
designs that rarely achieve
efficiencies beyond 60%. This means that cost and size may be reduced for needed cooling (less heatsink
area), power supply and output transistors. Class D amplifiers convert the audio signal into
high-frequency pulses that vary in width with the audio signal’s amplitude. The varying-width pulses
switch the power-output transistors at a fixed frequency.

A lowpass filter converts the pulses back into an amplified audio signal
that drives the subwoofer. The added efficiency of Class D amplifiers usually comes at the expense of
linearity and distortion. However, for low frequency applications, such as powering subwoofers, this is
much less problematic, and thus the added efficiency, cost and size reduction versus the increased
distortion and compromise in linearity represents a good design trade off.