Velodyne SPL-X 10

The 10-inch model builds on the expertise accumulated with the Digital Drive and SPL Ultra series, while integrating a modern DSP platform and app-based control. With 1000 watts RMS housed in a compact format (36 × 34 × 44 cm), this sealed subwoofer aims for bass reproduction that is both powerful and controlled, capable of adapting to the acoustics of any room thanks to its automatic calibration.

A driver designed for long excursion

The 25 cm driver uses a carbon fiber cone, a rigid and lightweight material that limits deformation under heavy stress. The 76 mm voice coil, wound in four layers, tolerates high temperatures and allows for large excursions without loss of linearity. Velodyne has opted for a dual spider: this double suspension keeps the cone perfectly centered, even at high levels, and reduces the risk of mechanical distortion.

The motor uses three ferrite magnets to generate a stable magnetic field. The basket incorporates three ventilation channels that dissipate the heat built up behind the cone and equalize air pressure during fast excursions. This architecture allows for clean level increases without compression or premature strain.

Sealed enclosure and HDF construction

The cabinet uses a sealed enclosure. This traditional choice at Velodyne favors tight time alignment: the bass starts and stops quickly, without overhang. The HDF (high-density fiberboard) panels are particularly thick and receive internal bracing designed to neutralize unwanted vibrations.

The sides feature a slight curvature inherited from the original Digital Drive series design, softened for a more discreet appearance. The removable grille, with black fabric stretched over an MDF frame, protects the driver without affecting sound dispersion. Weighing in at 30 kg, the SPL-X 10 can still be handled by one person, which is no small advantage when fine-tuning its placement.

Class D amplification and digital processing

The built-in amplifier delivers 1000 watts continuous and 1500 watts peak. Class D amplification limits heat build-up and allows extended operation at sustained levels. The claimed frequency response extends from 28 to 250 Hz (±3 dB), with possible extension down to 18 Hz with a ±10 dB tolerance. In practice, the subwoofer produces bass that is both audible and physically felt in the infra-bass range, useful for movie soundtracks exploiting very low frequencies.

The low-pass filter covers a range from 30 to 200 Hz, with four selectable slopes: 12, 24, 36, or 48 dB per octave. This flexibility makes it easier to blend with speakers of varying characteristics. A delay control, adjustable up to 500 milliseconds, allows you to time-align the subwoofer with the main speakers when the listening distance differs.

Automatic calibration via the AutoEQ app

A measurement microphone on a tripod is supplied with the subwoofer. Connected to the 3.5 mm jack input, it works with the Velodyne Acoustics AutoEQ app (available on iOS and Android) to analyze the room’s acoustic response. The system then generates a correction curve that tames peaks and fills in dips caused by the room’s standing waves.

The app also offers a six-band parametric equalizer, a subsonic filter to protect the driver from infra-audible frequencies, as well as a high-pass filter that can be applied to the outputs. Factory presets cover several typical scenarios (music, cinema, mixed), but the user can store their own settings. The Bluetooth Low Energy connection does not require permanent pairing: the app reconnects quickly for occasional adjustments from the listening position.

Comprehensive connectivity for versatile integration

The rear panel groups RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (stereo and LFE) and high-level terminal inputs. This threefold option allows the SPL-X 10 to be connected to a preamplifier, a home cinema processor, an integrated amp without a dedicated subwoofer output, or even directly to the speaker terminals of a power amplifier.

RCA and XLR outputs make it easy to daisy-chain multiple subwoofers or pass the signal on to other equipment. The power selector offers three positions: Auto (standby and wake-up on signal detection), Trigger (activation via a 12 V signal from an amp or processor) and On (continuous operation). The sensitivity of the Auto mode can be adjusted to avoid false triggering or, conversely, premature standby with low-level sources.

Technical specifications

Speaker and enclosure

• Driver: 10″ high performance
  • Three-channel vented basket
  • Carbon fiber cone
• Suspension: dual spider for optimal control of cone excursion
• Voice coil: 3″ / 76 mm, four layers
• Magnets: triple ferrite system
• Enclosure: sealed HDF, reinforced construction to limit resonances

Amplification and digital processing

• Amplifier type: Class D
• RMS power: 1,000 W (standard version), up to 1,800 W on higher models
• Peak power: 1,500 W
• Frequency response
  • ±10 dB: 18 – 300 Hz
  • ±3 dB: 28 – 250 Hz
• Low-pass filter: adjustable 30 – 200 Hz, slope 12 / 24 / 36 / 48 dB per octave
• Delay: 0 – 500 ms
• AutoEQ DSP: built-in microphone for automatic room acoustic calibration

Connectivity and control

• Inputs: stereo / LFE RCA, stereo / LFE XLR, stereo high-level input
• Outputs: stereo / LFE RCA, stereo / LFE XLR
• Control via mobile app
  • Volume adjustment
  • 6-band equalizer
  • Subsonic and high-pass filters
  • Presets
• Automatic power-on with adjustable sensitivity
• Power mode selector: Auto / Trigger / On

General information

• Grille: black fabric with MDF frame
• Mains voltage: 115 – 230 V
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 360 x 340 x 440 mm
• Weight: 30 kg
• Weight with packaging: 33 kg