Velodyne Impact X Series – Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 as versatile woofers

Outstanding performance and great versatility, these are supposed to be the most essential features of the new Velodyne Impact X Series. According to Velodyne Acoustics Inc., this new model series of subwoofers is to set new standards.

With the new Velodyne Impact X Series, Velodyne Acoustics GmbH presents a new line of subwoofers that are supposed to shine through versatility and high performance, in the form of comparatively compact solutions. The new Velodyne Impact X Series is based on the two systems Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12, whereby the number in the name is an indication of the diameter of the woofer chassis used.

Both models are said to be solutions with particularly efficient drivers, reliable DSP control and innovative MOSFET Class D amplifiers.

Velodyne Impact X 10 as well as Velodyne Impact X 12 – Setting New Standards

As already mentioned, the models of the new Velodyne Impact X Series are supposed to be subwoofers that are designed as rather compact systems despite impressive performance and flexibility. This is to ensure that they can be used in various scenarios and can be integrated comparatively easily into the living environment.

The new Velodyne Impact X 10, for example, measures only 32 x 36 x 40 cm and thus actually fits even into smaller living rooms. The second model, the Velodyne Impact X 12, with dimensions of 36 x 42 x 51 cm, is not quite as expansive as some other solutions in this product class, but does require a little more space in the living environment. On the other hand, with its 12 inch chassis, it is of course also suitable for larger rooms to deliver rich bass.

Front-firing subwoofer with bass reflex system

By the way, both models of the new Velodyne X Series are so-called front-firing subwoofers, which means that the driver is located directly at the front of the Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 models. In addition, in both cases, there is a bass reflex system that works downwards. The manufacturer promises that this system has a flow-optimised bass reflex port for precise imaging.

Newly developed 10 and 12 inch drivers

According to Velodyne Acoustics Inc., both models are equipped with newly developed drivers. The 2 inch voice coil is built with four layers of high-purity copper and is driven by a powerful ferrite double magnet, which together with the flexible surround made of nitrile rubber allows a stroke of up to 25 mm for the Velodyne Impact X 10 and even up to 28 mm for the Velodyne Impact X 12.

The stable basket, together with the centring made of cotton-polyester composite material, ensures the highest precision. The lightweight yet stiff paper cone ensures accurate transient reproduction with minimal partial vibration.

All in all, they had taken care to develop the most efficient driver possible, although they were by no means cautious about the power available here.

Innovative MOSFET Class D amplifiers

Both new subwoofers are equipped with particularly powerful amplifier modules. The Class D power amplifiers of the Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 subwoofer models each rely on four 180 volt MOSFET transistors with, according to the manufacturer, an impressive current delivery capacity of 34 amps, and the efficient switching power supply was also designed around two 17 amp, 650 volt MOSFET transistors.

Velodyne Acoustics GmbH speaks of an effortless power delivery, even with fast energetic impulses, which, together with the precise drivers, should ensure a superlative low-frequency experience.

And indeed, specifications such as 250 watts continuous and 500 watts impulse power for the Velodyne Impact X 10 as well as 300 watts and 600 watts for the Velodyne Impact X 12 are quite impressive and suggest that you really have very powerful subwoofers at your disposal.

Reliable DSP control

But power alone is not everything, of course; it also has to be channelled in the right way, and for this purpose Velodyne once again relies on DSP-based signal processing.

However, the new models Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 are supposed to be particularly sophisticated, as they were designed by the specialists of Velodyne Acoustics GmbH based on their decades of experience.

At the heart of this DSP-based signal processing is a powerful high-resolution DSP from specialists Analog Devices Inc.

Sound presets for convenient control

Not least because of this DSP control, the models of the new Velodyne Impact X Series are supposed to be especially comfortable to adjust to the individual requirements in your own listening room and also especially comfortable to operate.

The adjustment possibilities are supposed to go far beyond those offered by many solutions, i.e. they are not limited to parameters such as volume, crossover frequency and phase.

Thus, the engineers at Velodyne Acoustics GmbH have provided four practical sound presets for different areas of application: “Flat” offers the greatest amount of low bass, while “Movie” is designed for maximum output power for films and “Rock / Pop” has a frequency response optimised for these types of music.

Of course, the so-called “Night Mode” is particularly practical, because it limits the bass reproduction and thus ensures a long-term friendly relationship with the neighbourhood.

The selected preset is shown in the front display of the Velodyne Impact X Series subwoofers. In addition to switching sound modes, the supplied remote control also allows convenient adjustment of crossover frequency, volume and phase from the listening position. And for those who don’t want to live with additional light sources in the listening room, the display of the Velodyne Impact X Series subwoofers can be dimmed remotely.

Solid construction

Of course, a subwoofer needs a solid cabinet construction, so the Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 have extra thick walls made of MDF to prevent resonances. In addition, the subwoofers are mounted on specially designed feet that ensure a defined distance between the bass reflex system and the floor and also provide optimum decoupling by means of elastomer.

Variety of Connections

When it comes to flexibly integrating subwoofers into a wide variety of hi-fi chains or AV systems, variety in connections is naturally required. The Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12 solutions essentially offer everything that is relevant here, because in addition to the usual RCA connections for the left and right channels, speaker terminals are also available, as well as a pair of RCA sockets as an output for integrating additional subwoofers.

Velodyne Impact X 10

As already mentioned, this is a subwoofer with a 10 inch long excursion driver and bass reflex system. The subwoofer is driven by a DSP-based signal processing and a Class D amplifier module with an output of 250 watts RMS or 500 watts peak and is supposed to be able to reproduce a frequency range between 32 and 180 Hz.

With dimensions of 32 x 36 x 40 cm, this solution weighs in at a hefty 15 kg, not least due to the 20 mm thick MDF cabinet.

Velodyne Impact X 12

This model uses a 12 inch long excursion driver, which is also supported by a downward acting bass reflex system, in order to be able to reproduce a frequency range between 29 and 180 Hz. The amplifier module in Class D delivers 300 watts RMS or 600 watts peak and with dimensions of 36 x 42 x 51 cm this subwoofer weighs 18 kg.

Prices and availability

The models Velodyne Impact X 10 as well as Velodyne Impact X 12 will be offered in black or white and should be available in specialist shops from now on. As described, both subwoofers of the Velodyne Impact X Series come with a matching remote control. The recommended retail price for the Velodyne Impact X 10 is € 799,- and for the Velodyne Impact X 12 € 899,-.

Getting to the point

Full power and elegant design, this is what Velodyne Acoustics GmbH promises for the new subwoofers Velodyne Impact X 10 and Velodyne Impact X 12, which establish the new Velodyne Impact X Series. The powerful subwoofers combine efficient drivers on the front with a downward radiating bass reflex port, rely on DSP-based signal processing and powerful Class D power amplifiers. The two new models are thus intended to combine the core technologies of Velodyne Acoustics Inc. in a compact housing and prove to be very flexible solutions.