Velodyne History
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., founded in 1983, is universally recognized as the leading manufacturer of high-performance, low distortion powered subwoofers at all price levels. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, the company's technically innovative audio products are available through a select group of authorized dealers, custom installers, and distributors worldwide.
Velodyne Milestones
Throughout Velodyne's history there have been numerous highlights, reinforcing a commitment to develop the industry's finest high-performance, low distortion subwoofers.
1983 Founding of Velodyne by David Hall
David Hall develops prototypes of the first accelerometer-based servo technology suitable for loudspeakers.
1984 High Gain Servo™ Technology Patent
Velodyne patents the world's first High Gain Servo-Controlled subwoofer lowering distortion to below 1%. The patent contains specifications for a sealed, piezo-electric diving-board based accelerometer.
1984 Ultra-Low-Distortion (ULD) 18 Released
Velodyne starts building subwoofers to satisfy the demand for high quality bass reproduction. The first model using the High Gain Servo technology is the Ultra-Low-Distortion (ULD) 18.
1987 ULD-15 Released
The Ultra-Low-Distortion (ULD) 15 is released. It represents a breakthrough in small subwoofer performance, fitting a 15" driver in a then-unheard-of 2.2 cubic foot sealed enclosure. A 156 oz magnet structure and high-powered 350-watt amp are used. The ULD-12 follows the ULD-15 in 1989.
1990 VA Series Released
Based on the coupling of an active forward-firing woofer with a passive radiator, the VA 8-10 and 10-12 subwoofers are released.
1992 F Series Released
The Foundation (F) Series is released. These forward firing servo woofers set a new standard in low bass performance with built-in amplifiers.
1995 Anti-Clipping Circuitry
This circuitry is developed to monitor the amplifier output to deliver maximum power to the driver without audible distortion or cone structure damage.
1995 Subwoofer Direct Feature
Subwoofer Direct is introduced to deliver optimum performance from any surround sound technology and limit amplifier distortion using anti-clipping circuitry. It assures the best match of the Velodyne subwoofer to the receiver for both music and movies.
1995 CT Series Released
Based on a slot-loaded design, the CT (Classic Theater) Series is released.
1997 Dual Tandem Voice Coil
Dual Tandem Voice Coil design is created to deliver extremely high power handling, linear travel and low distortion. The drivers generate less than half the distortion of conventional motor designs, and are capable of four times the heat dissipation.
1997 Extended Excursion Drivers
These high performance drivers are designed with vented pole-pieces that increase power handling and assure long-term reliability.
1997 HGS (High-Gain-Servo) Series Released
The HGS Series is released, consisting of 10", 12", 15" and 18" models. These subwoofers pack 1250 watts of digital switching power into their small forward-firing cabinets.
1999 Dynamic Driver Control System (DDCS)
Velodyne develops exclusive active, signal-based system that controls driver displacement and excursion ensuring tight, accurate, musical bass. DDCS assures linear cone movement, and controls the driver's frequency and distortion characteristics, while protecting the driver from being overdrawn.
1999 SPL™ (Small-Plays-Loud) Series Released
The SPL Series is released, consisting of 8", 10", and 12" models. They are among the smallest subwoofers ever made for their cone sizes, yet still have incredibly loud and clean output.
2000 VLF Series Released
The VLF Series is released, continuing the use of an active forward-firing woofer with a passive radiator.
2002 Energy Recovery System (ERS™) Patent
Velodyne patents a transformer-less Class-D digital design amplifier delivering high power in a compact space with little heat generation and 97% efficiency.
2002 Signature 1812™ Released
This patent-pending, two-way, bi-amplified subwoofer is the first two-way powered subwoofer featuring one 18-inch and one 12-inch carbon fiber driver in a self-contained unit. The unit has 2500 watts of RMS power and 6000 watts peak - the most powerful subwoofer ever made.
2003 Patent-Pending Digital Drive™ Room Equalization System
This all-digital innovation allows the subwoofer's frequency response in any room to be measured and digitally corrected in real-time using a supplied microphone, and stored in the unit's memory to assure ideal performance in the consumer's listening area.
2003 Patent-Pending Digital High Gain Servo™ System
This system uses a proprietary sealed digital accelerometer to measure cone movements 15,800 times a second in order to correct for any distortion. The results are subwoofers with over 3000 watts of dynamic power that deliver clean, accurate, high-impact sound from 15 to 120 Hz with total harmonic distortion below .5%.
2003 Digital Drive™ Series Released
The Digital Drive (DD) Series is released, consisting of 10", 12", 15" and 18" models. These subwoofers establish a new benchmark for subwoofer performance and adaptability.
2003 Distortion Limiting System (DLS)
The DLS system is developed that further limits distortion and cone over-excursion.
2003 DLS Series Released
The DLS Series is released, utilizing the Distortion Limiting Technology, consisting of 8", 10", and 12" models.
