Subwoofers — Velodyne Impact X 10

The Impact X 10 is the entry model of the Impact X subwoofer range from Velodyne Acoustics, a three-size family completed by the Impact X 12 and Impact X 15. It pairs a 10 inch driver with a compact MDF enclosure, has a bass unit that faces forward rather than down, and targets movie setups as well as stereo music systems where floor space is limited.

Key specs that matter

Its Class D amplification is specified at 250 W RMS and 500 W dynamic. Velodyne specifies a response of 32 Hz to 180 Hz within 3 dB and 25 Hz to 250 Hz within 10 dB. Low-pass filtering can be set anywhere from 50 Hz to 180 Hz with a 12 dB per octave slope, and phase switches between 0 and 180 degrees. Outside dimensions are 32 x 36 x 40 cm including feet and connectors, and the sub weighs about 15 kg, or 17 kg packed. Velodyne lists black and white as the finish options.

Engineering and use context

The front-firing driver has a coated paper diaphragm chosen to be stiff and light, held by a wide suspension that permits long excursion. Its motor combines a 52 mm four-layer voice coil with a double ferrite magnet, and the frame is pierced by two vents for thermal regulation of the motor. The cabinet walls are 20 mm MDF. An anti-clipping circuit limits amplifier distortion when the input is pushed hard, so the output stage does not run into hard clipping. A supplied remote handset gives access to four DSP presets, each of which can be adjusted, so different settings can be stored and recalled from the listening seat, and a display on the front panel shows the volume level. A three-position power selector offers Off, Auto and On, with the Auto setting waking the amplifier when a signal arrives.

Pairing

Line input and output sockets are gold-plated RCA and handle either stereo or LFE feeds, while a nickel-plated high-level input accepts speaker wire from an amplifier that lacks a sub output. Because the RCA output relays the signal onward, a second Impact X can be daisy-chained for a two-subwoofer layout, and both units can then run from one source. Since its crossover can be set high, the 10 can support small satellites or bookshelf speakers, and at lower settings it can be matched to floorstanders that already reach into the upper bass. An AV receiver LFE output, a two-channel preamp or an integrated amp with a pre-out can all feed it.

Alternatives

The Velodyne Impact X 12 moves to a 12 inch driver and a 300 W RMS amplifier, extending the 3 dB point down to 29 Hz.