Velodyne Acoustics VI-Q 10:Active subwoofer with app room calibration and XLR connections
With the VI-Q series subwoofers, Velodyne Acoustics is specifically targeting particularly ambitious enthusiasts, and professional XLR connections set an example in this price segment. AV-Magazin listened to the sound qualities of the VI-Q 10 in a stereo system.
Review by Marius Donadello, Aug. 29th 2023Images: Velodyne Acoustics, AV-Magazin
For exactly four decades now, Velodyne has been considered an authority in the field of subwoofers. The woofer specialists have introduced several patented technologies, such as Digital Drive Control signal processing, and have set standards time and again. This was not only due to one or the other innovation, because beyond that Velodyne always put great emphasis on designing the individual series and models in such a way that they are suitable for the ambitious home cinema as well as for audiophile music lovers. Apart from the features, this of course also applies to the ability to reproduce the lowest octaves not only powerfully, but as precisely as possible.
But despite all its reputation and great successes, the comparatively small, medium-sized traditional manufacturer ran into difficult waters in the past decade, as a result of which new models came onto the market in somewhat longer cycles. Then, in 2019, the long-standing, trusting cooperation with Audio Reference offered an opportunity for both sides: due to the takeover by its closest distribution partner, Velodyne had the certainty of being able to continue to act in the spirit of the company founder Dave Hall, and Mansour Mamaghani was able to push the mission forward again.
Since then, the development of technologies and products has really taken off again, and the time from drawing board to market launch has also been shortened. After introducing the MicroVee MKII, the MicroVee X and the Impact X within the last three years, Velodyne was then able to present two new series, namely the "Deep Waves" and the "VI-Q", practically at the same time shortly before this year's HIGH END show in Munich. The Deep Waves 10, which we have already tested, and the now presented candidate VI-Q 10 seem quite similar at first glance, and yet the two woofers of the same size are quite different. Details in technology and features distinguish the Deep Waves and VI-Q models from each other, whereby the slightly more expensive VI-Q subwoofers, available in 10", 12" and 15" sizes, are aimed even more specifically at ambitious film and music enthusiasts. Read on to find out what the VI-Q 10 can do in a stereophonic setup.