posted on Friday, 13th December 2024 by Steve May
The latest in Velodyne Acoustic’s space-defying line of compact subwoofers, the MiniVee X builds on the brand’s MiniVee 8 and 10 models, updating the design with a new driver coupled to a powerful 800W amplifier. Is this the subwoofer your next media room project has been waiting for?
Subwoofers have long been an integral part of the home theatre equation, delivering vital low frequency effects from movie soundtracks and streaming TV shows, but they often claim an excessive amount of floorspace, and rarely attract admiring glances from interior designers.
Velodyne hopes to change the narrative, by shrinking the typical subwoofer form factor with its Micro and MiniVee models.
Velodyne certainly knows how to plumb the depths. The US brand has been perfecting the art of bass management since 1983, so our expectations are high.
The MiniVee X cube measures a tidy 43 x 41 x 41 cm, and weighs 12.5kg. As a result, it takes up surprisingly little real estate. A closed cabinet design, there’s no port to vent, just two balanced 8-inch drivers. One of these is active, the other a passive radiator. The cone design is new to the range.
Build quality and finish is excellent. The housing, crafted from MDF, makes liberal use of internal bracing to nullify unwanted resonances.
The finish is a glossy, piano black, although distributor Redline tells us that optional custom colours are available to order. You rarely see a more handsome subwoofer.
The subwoofer ships with a dedicated setup microphone and stand, for use with the downloadable Velodyne Acoustics AutoEQ Sub app.
The MiniVee X doesn’t just pound like a heavyweight pugilist, it’s packing some serious science too.
Room correction is on offer, to fine tune performance and maximise SPL in the listening room. This is operated from a dedicated app (available for iOS and Android) users. The Velodyne Acoustics Auto EQ App can be used for both multi-channel and stereo installations.
To customise performance, individual settings can be assigned to presets.
The back panel is packed. Rear connections include a 3.5mm mic input jack, for use with the supplied mic; a 3.5mm mini jack 12v trigger input, and a corresponding trigger output; as well as XLR and Line input and output jacks, the latter to go into any partnering sub’s line input.
There’s also the alternate option of speaker level inputs, should you need to connect to an older amplifier or AV receiver.
When it comes to integrated system control, there’s a 3.5 mm minijack input, with a slightly delayed 12 V trigger output. There is also a 5 V / 1 A USB power output, as well as a high-pass filter on the RCA or XLR output, which can be managed via the app.
During setup, you’ll need to pair the subwoofer with your smartphone over Bluetooth, allowing it to be controlled via the app.
In addition to general adjustments, such as volume and phase, you can manage crossover. This selects the low pass filter and can be adjustable between 30Hz - 200Hz. There’s also a subsonic filter, Manual EQ and High Pass filter switching.
Auto EQ is available to compensate for room anomalies. A few incrementally seismic rumbles and the sub makes all the adjustments required for a room friendly performance.
Once installed in an optimum position, there’s little more to do than wallow in its wallop.
The prime objective for any subwoofer is to add sonic depth, and deliver convincing deep bass, regardless of size - and the Minivee X manages that task with conviction. Its dual 8-inch drivers work seamlessly in unison to underscore soundtracks with thick, chunky bass.
The Dolby Atmos test track Amaze remains a telling challenge for any subwoofer, and this Velodyne newcomer doesn’t flunk. The demo clip, set in a rainforest, has a soundmix of circling, bird and delicious insect ambiance, before there’s a peal of thunder and a deep rumble.
The MiniVee X ensures the thunderous reverberation does not go unnoticed.
There are, of course, subwoofers capable of greater profundity, but any Velodyne 12-inch (or larger) model is going to make a far greater demand on floor space, and budget.
The opening First Order Dreadnought space battle, in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, really puts the focus on its abilities. When Poe Dameron makes his strathing run across the surface of the huge cruiser, the explosions as he takes out the surface guns have apposite weight - the booms are fast and brutal.
The MiniVee X doesn’t disappoint when it comes to slam either. Beneath the compact exterior beats 800W of cool running class D amplification, and to help prevent distortion, there's also anti-clipping and overheating circuitry.
When the final Rebel Resistance StarFortress bomber drops its explosive payload, and the Empire’s Fulminatrix detonates with a series of blasts, the MiniVee X enthusiastically throws its weight behind the drama. It’s all very satisfying.
This compact sub shouldn’t just appeal to film fans. Its compact form factor will also makes it highly appealing when it comes to gaming. As part of a multichannel gaming sound rig, it’ll fit right in.
A welcome addition to Velodyne’s impressive MiniVee subwoofer range, the MiniVee X offers installers a raft of connectivity options, along with a tight, impactful bass performance.
We appreciated the sub’s superb build quality and finish, and we revelled in its ability to rumble. If you need LFE bass slam and space is at a premium, it comes highly recommended.
The Velodyne Acoustics MiniVee X subwoofer is available now through Redline. It retails for £1,395.
Inside CI Editor Steve May is a freelance technology specialist who also writes for T3, TechRadar, Home Cinema Choice, Trusted Reviews and The Luxe Review.
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