Going Bump in the Night
Written: Jul 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Outstanding Performance, Flexible Connections
Cons: Great Size and Weight
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| Strahd's Full Review: Velodyne CT-150 Subwoofer Speaker |
Velodyne CT-150 Subwoofer
Type: 15" forward firing, sealed enclosure
Amplifier: 250 watts, class A/B
High Pass Crossover: 80Hz or 100Hz
Low Pass Crossover: 40Hz to 120Hz
Dimensions: 21" x 18.5" x 20" (HxWxD)
Weight: 72lbs
Notes:
After reviewing the main components of my home theater's audio system, I am now left with the creme de la creme, the icing on the cake, if you will. I love subwoofers. They are big, bad, and are entrusted to tackle the most difficult part of the sound spectrum. In a home theater, the addition of the .1 LFE (low frequency effect) channel adds considerable importance in selecting a subwoofer that can play loudly at low levels when the time comes.
I enjoyed my system for several months without a subwoofer, but I can tell you right now that if you plan on fully enjoying your system, a subwoofer is necessary. Selecting the one which is right for you is becoming easier. Pint-size powerhouses (such as Velodyne's own HGS-series) are able to deliver incredible sound out of a tiny cabinet. However, these devices are very expensive, and to attain most of what they can do, but at a lower price, let me present the CT-150.
This subwoofer is a serious piece of work. Even though it is sold at mass-market chains, the CT-150 performs at the level of subwoofer's costing several hundred dollars more. In my small living room, it performs flawlessly, delivering tight, low bass whenever called upon to act. I am convinced that it could easily handle larger rooms.
Setting up the subwoofer is easy if you are using a processor or receiver with it's own filter (most receiver's today do). Even if you are lacking such a filter, the CT-150 has both low and high-pass filters for your use. As with all subwoofer's, placement is the key issue. And in that problem, lies my only criticism of the CT-150. It's big. I mean really BIG. In order to control costs, and maximize performance, Velodyne gave us a monster. I personally like the looks, but for most a big, black, vinyl box won't cut it in their living rooms. For those that are willing to look past it's behemoth size, however, you will own one of the best values in home entertainment.
--Strahd
References:
Velodyne CT-150 Owner's Manual
Velodyne Web Site (www.velodyne.com)
Stereo Review's Sound and Vision (4/99): Lost in Bass! by Tom Nousaine
Review System:
NHT Speakers (SuperTwo Main, VS-1.2 Center, SuperOne Surrounds)
Denon AVR-3200 Receiver
Pioneer DV-414 DVD Player
Proscan PS32500 32" Direct-View Television
Monster Cable
Radio Shack Sound Pressure Level Meter
ISF's Video Essentials DVD
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: Strahd
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Member: Jim Zadrozny
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me: From Missouri, or Misery to the natives!
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