Subwoofers — Velodyne VI-Q 10

The VI-Q 10 is the entry size of the VI-Q subwoofer series from Velodyne Acoustics, a three-model line with 10, 12 and 15 inch drivers that took over from the earlier Wi-Q range. Orders opened in August 2023, and the European price was set at EUR 1,790, with UK pricing of GBP 1,799. All three share a sealed cabinet, a carbon fibre woofer and Class D amplification, and the 10 is the most compact and least powerful of them.

Key specs that matter

Amplifier output is 450 W RMS, with 850 W of dynamic power available for short peaks. Velodyne gives a response of 28 Hz to 200 Hz within 3 dB, widening to 25 Hz to 280 Hz within 10 dB. Crossover adjustment covers 50 Hz to 180 Hz at 12 dB per octave, and phase switches between 0 and 180 degrees. The cabinet is 38 cm wide, 40 cm high and 32 cm deep and weighs 21 kg, or 24 kg in its shipping carton. Flat matt black and flat matt white are the two finishes.

Engineering and use context

The 10 inch woofer faces forward and is a high-excursion unit with a carbon fibre membrane and a convex cone profile. Its basket is vented in three places, and the motor combines a dual ferrite magnet with a four-layer voice coil of 63 mm. Velodyne chose a closed box over a reflex design for this series, putting the emphasis on speed, precision and low distortion. The walls are 22 mm HDF, and the front baffle carrying the driver is thickened to 50 mm, with numerous internal reinforcements behind it. A power selector offers off, auto and permanent on. Beyond the rear-panel knobs, the iWoofer app gives access to a 25-band parametric equaliser and stored presets that can be recalled from a phone. The line is designed by Velodyne in Germany and built in China.

Pairing

Connections include stereo and LFE inputs on gold-plated RCA, nickel-plated XLR and a high-level input taken from speaker terminals, with RCA and XLR outputs to pass the signal on. That lets the VI-Q 10 join an AV receiver through its subwoofer output, a pro-style preamp through balanced cable, or a stereo amplifier with no dedicated sub output. Its extended upper frequency limit suits small bookshelf speakers and satellites that need the sub to cover the upper bass as well, and a second VI-Q can be linked through the outputs.

Alternatives

The Velodyne VI-Q 12 steps up to a 12 inch carbon fibre driver and 500 W RMS in a 41 x 48 x 41 cm cabinet, with deeper bass extension.