Review Velodyne Acoustics Deep Waves 10:Setup and listening
- Two side-mounted 10" passive radiators support the actively driven driver (Image credit: Velodyne Acoustics)
In view of the fact that low frequencies are difficult to locate, subwoofers can be positioned almost anywhere in the room - one might think. Especially the far-reaching possibilities of room adjustment quickly tempt to this erroneous conclusion, and then a lot of potential is wasted. It should be noted in advance that the Deep Waves' side-mounted passive radiators easily cause objects in their immediate vicinity to vibrate, despite the large wavelength in the bass range - a space of one metre to the side is recommended. Basically, subwoofers are best placed in a similar way to loudspeakers: First, try out different positions in the room with a moderate level setting and a frequency that matches the speakers, and make sure the sound is balanced. If it doesn't sound boomy or noticeably thin, you can optimise it with the Deep Waves' stepless low-pass setting and the subwoofer volume setting - music with acoustic instruments is suitable for this.
In this way, excellent results can be achieved in most rooms, but it is precisely a woofer of the Deep Waves' calibre that we want to push to the limit by means of room adjustment.
It's that simple:Setup with the "iWoofer" app
Velodyne recommends the app "iWoofer" by the free developer Artem Khlyupin for this purpose, which is open on the hardware side and available for iOS and Android. In order for it to work with a specific model, the manufacturer must cooperate in advance by allowing access to the DSP of its subwoofer for this app. The free version of iWoofer allows you to set the low-pass, volume and phase comfortably from your sofa. In addition, presets such as gain and delay as well as a parametric equalizer are available - only experts should be involved with these parameters. The procedure for automatic room adjustment, on the other hand, is quite simple and delivers optimal results, but this feature is exclusively offered in the Pro version (5.99 euros), which is only available for iOS. In the following, we show you the individual steps in room calibration.
- The iWoofer app offers numerous settings and presets (picture left), its menu structure is clear and displays the most important options at the top (picture middle). Before the automatic calibration (only with iWoofer Pro, 5.99 euros), various parameters can be defined (picture right). We recommend leaving this option out because the default settings are suitable for every situation (Screenshots: AV-Magazin)
- A parametric equalizer allows corrections to be made manually in several individual frequency ranges. Only those who know how to do this should intervene carefully (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- Before the calibration, there is an explanation of the procedure. However, the advice to place the iPhone as close as possible to the subwoofer should not be taken too literally: The near-field measurement is only an option, and in several cases the app indicated that the moderate subwoofer level was too loud for the measurement (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- After an initial series of measurements at the listening position, you can carry out further measurements (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- With three or four measurements you are on the safe side (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- After the last measurement, the mode of compensation can be selected (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- A detailed explanation of the selected method is then displayed (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- Now the correction can be started by pressing the button "Compensate" (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- Finally, the correction curves are transmitted to the DSP of the subwoofer (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
- After successful transmission to the subwoofer, the calibration data can be saved as a new preset that can be named individually (Screenshot: AV-Magazin)
Listening
We start our listening session with the fifth album "Dance Fever (Complete Edition)" by "Florence + the Machine", released in 2022, on which the band around lead singer Florence Welch once again combines stylistic influences from different genres such as indie rock, pop and soul to create their own very listenable sound, this time with hints of gothic as well. Regarding their instrumentation, the eighteen excellently produced songs also have one or two surprises in store: drums, guitars and synthesizer sounds are occasionally joined by harp, glockenspiel and accordion. The Deep Waves 10 is of course in its element with drums and bass guitar, although in the case of many speakers, the reproduction generally sounds more sovereign and relaxed when supported by a subwoofer. Where only a few transducers can reach, the Velodyne can set important accents for the emotion without being overly prominent: The mid-sized drums on "Mermaids" have decent body, sound voluminous (also in the recording) and earthy. And with every kick on the bass drum pedal, it becomes impressively clear what you usually miss: the big drum has a lot of weight and unleashes its dust-dry power. At the same time, the riffs of the bass guitar are wonderfully assertive, while powerful bass runs from the synthesizer give the performance a clubby touch.
Simply more atmosphere
- Cécile McLorin Salvant covers "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush - wonderful! The Deep Waves 10 demonstrates with this song how important frequencies at the lower threshold of hearing are for the reconstruction of spatial information
On her 2022 album "Ghost Song", singer Cécile McLorin Salvant covers the wonderful track "Wuthering Heights" sung by Kate Bush in 1978 (album "The Kick Inside"). The first half minute of this song vividly demonstrates with the Deep Waves 10 how much frequencies at the lower threshold of hearing contribute to our perception of spatial information: The vocals of this track were recorded in a church, with the singer slowly walking from the sanctuary towards the listener. The dimension of the great building now seems authentic, illuminated by the long reverberation down to the last corner. Above all, the Deep Waves intensifies the feeling of hearing air vibrating and makes the atmosphere of the special recording location get deep under your skin - phenomenal!
Last but not least, the Deep Waves gets to really flex its muscles, let's call it "compliance with due diligence". "Acid Phase" is an electro classic by French doyen Emmanuel Top and is one of my absolute favourites over the decades. The amp is turned up to one o'clock, the beats become palpable and tightly drawn, abysmal bass lines thoroughly knead the room - what a feast!