STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Velodyne Acoustics MiniVee X is a compact premium subwoofer that offers state-of-the-art digital electronics, high power reserves and flexible connection options on an edge length of just 29 centimeters. Thanks to its integrated room calibration, parameterizable equalizer and convenient app control, it fits seamlessly into any living situation and delivers powerful, precise bass for music and home cinema enthusiasts.
Pros
- Deep, clean bass from a very compact cabinet
- App with EQ and room calibration
- Microphone and tripod included
- Can also be used without a subwoofer output on the speaker connections
Cons
- No remote control
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Bass quality9.1
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Low frequency range / dynamics9.2
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Usability / Connetivity10
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Price/Performance9.5
The Velodyne MiniVee X fills a gap in the range of active subwoofers. May they prefer active or passive speakers, many music lovers have never given a thought about adding a subwoofer. A crucial mistake when it comes to sound quality. Statemants like “There is quite enough of bass” or “Subwoofers are for movies” are both common and false at the same time. At first, a really good subwoofer doesn’t necessarily produce more bass, but simply better bass. These little cubes can also solve problem at an astonishing level, especially for those who have booming or resonance problems due to room acoustics. Yes, a compact design of the woofer itself is preferred when it comes to accompanying bookshelf speakers, and ideally automatic room calibration with built-in mic ensures dry, rich and balanced bass.
Those who prefer top-notch bookshelf active such as the KEF LS50 Wireless II should definitely give a woofer a try. It is this kind of 2-way compact speakers with limited diaphragm area that benefit the most from the relief. For this to work properly, however, one should think about proper crossover options in first instance. Ideally an adjustable high-pass filter to both reduce the workload for the main speakers and ensure a seamless transition. Very few speakers have their own built-in crossover for this purpose.
If we take all these minimum requirements into account, the selection of woofers offering everything is surprisingly brief. Most subwoofers found on the market are still focussing on home cinema lovers more or less relying on an AVR do to the bass management work.
The compact one that gives you really good bass
But we found one to meet all expections regardings adjustment options and connectivity: the Velodyne Acoustics MiniVee X. Just 29 centimetres or 12″ high, coming in with a nice high-gloss lacquer underlining the manufacturer’s premium claim, it is visually discreet and would seamlessly fit into most of living rooms.
Everything electronic in the Velodyne is completely digital and therefore not only offering maximum precision and effective crossover filters, but also a maximum of convenience and flexibility when adjusting it via Velodyne Acoustics´s designated AutoEQ app. That approach absolutely makes sense particular when integrating a sub into a stereo system, as the digital filters can be adapted very well to the individual combination of room and main speakers even without an AVR.
A new module with astonishing features
All electronics inside are located on the back of the cube. Two little knobs control lowpass frequency and level, a little LED display ensures the user stays in control.
Room calibration via microphone
The integrated room calibration routine is particularly interesting for audiophile users. Instead of using a smartphone mic, the MiniVee X comes with a high-quality microphone and a small, heavy stand. To start the procedure, just press a button to calibrate the subwoofer directly. The result can optionally be monitored using the Velodyne app for Android and iOS.
The Velodyne Acoustics AutoEQ app offers significantly enhanced ease-of-use: one can examine the resulting frequency response graph, make manual adjustments and configure a 6-band parametric equalizer if necessary. This makes it easy to adopt the MiniVee X to a wide variety of rooms and placement options. It’s not just the room itself, but also the positioning of the woofer in the room that makes a big difference and can lead to either annoying booming or bass cancellation effects (which in some cases cannot be equalized so the sub´s position needs to be changed). The Velodyne’s high-resolution display in the AutoEQ app is therefore not a gimmick, but provides the user with important feedback as to whether the woofer position is suitable at all.
Lots of connectivity options
One advantage in a subwoofer which cannot be overstated is a variety of connectivity options, and the MiniVee X is a textbook example of a good subwoofer. As usual, you can use RCA inputs for either mono or stereo signals coming from AVR or stereo amplifier. Symmetric XLR inputs and outputs are also available. This means that you can take advantage of balanced connections as preferred in pro or high-end gear for the simple reason it avoids humming and noise. Active speakers like the Elac Navis ARB-51 are a good example for gear offering XLR and we definitely recommend to use it.
All of the aforementioned options work regardless the subwoofer´s crossover with its high-pass filter being involved or not. AVRs and some active speakers like KEF LS-50 Wireless II offer designated crossover options so one should deactivate the Velodyne´s options.
The additional speaker level connectors are intended more those whose stereo system does not offer any line level or subwoofer output. Therefore a crossover cannot be integrated in the loop. Although such option might work, we wouldn’t recommend it and it doesn’t make sense in conjunction with active speakers.
Carbon for superb sound
As transducers, the MiniVee X relies on two 8″ drivers with a carbon fiber flat diaphraghm, one of which is active and the other passive (the latter driven by the air in the enclosure acting similar to a reflex vent). The symmetry of the woofer´s enclosure with nothing but high-gloss lacquer on the front creates some decent aesthetics, unlike many ´masculine´ home cinema woofers showing off their main driver on the front.
However, the power is somehow hidden with the cabinet hosting a Class D MOSFET power amplifier providing up to 800 watts of peak power. Given the price of around a 1,000 bucks, that is a remarkable price-performance ratio, especially as the sophisticated digital electronics alone are unparalleled even among far more expensive subwoofers.
Some pro hacks for adjusting a woofer
The first step is to find an acoustically favorable position for the woofer in the room. The app and its frequency response displayed help a lot with this step: if the FR graph fluctuates too much or shows broadband peaks or (cancellation) dips, we strongly recommend to take the subwoofer to a different position. This is often the case in the corners of the room or with a central position between the main speakers, where soe dreaded room modes, dubbed room resonances or booming frequencies, tend to show up causing maximum effect.
Once you have found a good position and smoothed out any remaining unevenness with the automatic and/or manual correction, there is another important parameter to adjust: The crossover frequency. Contrary to popular hi-fi belief, lower does not mean better. The crossover frequency should be high enough to relieve the main speakers of any frequencies at which they themselves cause boominess due to their position.
Take your time and try!
This means: it’s best to try it out! 80 or 90Hz are reasonable starting points, but 110 or 120Hz can also be sensible x-over frequencies if the room still tends to boom a bit up the spectrum. More than 120Hz is necessary just on very rare cases such as very tiny main speakers or the latter being positioned in a corner producing bloated bass. Otherwise you face a risk that the woofer itself will cause booming or that its position will become localizable at some point.
Once the ideal high-pass frequency for the main speakers has been found, the low-pass crossover of the woofer and the phase between the two must be optimized. A slightly lower setting than for the high-pass crossover often leads to success. The phase can be inverted between 0 and 180 degrees on the Velodyne or in the app. Note: The louder setting in the transition band is acoustically the better one, as there is less cancellation here! If it gets too loud and you can hear a peak, it is better to pull the two crossover frequencies apart than to leave the phase in the unfavorable position.
Our playlist for listening tests when it comes to lots of BASS
Listening test: We loves the sound of MiniVee X
In terms of sound quality, the MiniVee X performed excellently after just a brief optimization. With the correct settings and calibration, it also helps full-size floorstanding speakers to achieve a richer, more stable foundation in the bass range. However, compact active speakers benefit the most, which, with the appropriate relief from the Velodyne’s built-in high-pass crossovers, perform as if liberated from a significant bass burdon, gaining new records in dynamics and definition and simply appear much more mature.
This not only leads to more punch with percussive impulses, but also to an overall more stable imaging and ambience. The room gains depth and the music seems more physically real, without the subwoofer pushing itself to the foreground. Instead, it acts as an unobtrusive supporter that gives the entire system more power without coloring the overall sound or making the transition audible. Its impulse precision and naturalness are particularly impressive, standing out positively from typical “rumbling woofers” with their musical nature, especially with rock, jazz and classical music.
The Velodyne is also perfect for home cinema or bass-heavy music such as Electronic of HipHop. Movie effects and low beats are delivered into the room with powerful emphasis without booming or blurring contours.
Velodyne Acoustics MiniVee X: Conclusion and alternatives
The Velodyne Acoustics MiniVee X is the no. 1 woofer we would recommend to those who value compact design, want to listen mainly to all sorts of music and overcoming acoustic problems in the room.
Its flexible options, sophisticated room adjustment and powerful, precise bass make it a universal addition to any music or home cinema system. You only realize that the small Velodyne has no competition on the market when you spend more time with its app, the room calibration and the sensitively calibrated high-pass crossover. More bass fun really can be this small.
Specifications Velodyne MiniVee X
- Manufacturer’s recommended retail price: approx. 1,000 dollars/pounds/euros
- Subwoofer dimensions (D x H): 29 x 30 x 29 cm
- Subwoofer weight: 15 kg
- Special features: Measuring microphone, app control, parametric equalizer, programmable high-pass crossover, XLR, RCA, high-power input
