Home > Consumer Reviews > VELODYNE ACOUSTICS VRP1200 Powered Subwoofer

After reading rave reviews about the VRP 1200 on a popular electronic store website I decided to take the plunge and purchase it to replace my old KLH 100W 8" subwoofer. I expected a dramatic improvement in performance but what I ended up getting was a very underwhelming experience. In fact, I thought the KLH (that I bought for $199)produced more bass, maybe not as clean but it had more impact and "oomph". I guess I should qualify my review by saying that I might have gotten a defective VRP because I just don't know how almost every reviewer gave this speaker a high rating. So when I got the subwoofer (picked it up at the local electronics store), I immediately hooked it up (using Y adaptor) and started popping in movies. The big disappointment was that I had to crank the volume knob on the sub up to 75% in order to hear some semblance of deep bass and even then it wasnt anything close to being "earth shaking". I suspected that maybe my stereo system wasn't up to snuff and so I took the subwoofer to my brother's house who has a top of the line stereo set up and also has a higher end velodyne that shakes the house (at only 25% volume). We tested the VRP using his system and to my dismay it came up with the same results, passable bass but only if you crank up the sub volume control to at least 75%. After that experiment I immediately returned the product and decided to pick up the HSU VTF1 which costs slightly more than the VRP. I hooked it up to my system last night and Boom-shalaka-laka-BOOM! The thing blew the doors off of my basement and the sub power knob was barely at 25%. The HSU is a great product...it has excellent bass, tons of options in the back, etc. Check out their website(Hsu Research). I don't work for Hsu or have any affiliation with them, I'm just a fellow consumer that wanted to share my experience with others so they can make an informed and smart decision about what to buy. In hindsight, I may have gotten a defective VRP but another reason may be because the VRP 1200 only has 130W driving a large 12" woofer, whereas the HSU has 200W driving a 10" woofer. I think that makes a huge difference. If your going to go with a 12" then you need way more power.

This is my first subwoofer. I listened to the subwoofers at Circuit City and Bestbuy many times. Liked this VRP1200 every time. The sound is natural and smooth. Don't see how I can listen to music without it now.

I thought the VRP-1200 could fill my room with quality, deep base at theater levels, but came away a little disappointed!

Due to my room size (5K+ cubic feet), Velodyne's website recommends at least two of their larger powered 15" subs (like the DLS-5000R's)! After much testing using "King Kong (extreme action scenes and Kong's throaty grunts)", "Phantom of the Opera (organ pedal tones)" and "Happy Feet (ship ice crusher scene), I've determined they are right!! The VRP-1200, for the money, would work okay in a 2K cf room, but not mine! Returned and purchased an Axiom 12" powered sub (EP500) w\a lot more power, extension, output and of course, price!!

"5" stars was granted upon my inital testing. After living with the VRP1200 for a couple of weeks, I'd still rate it "5" stars for the money if used in a much smaller room. However, in my large room, it would rate "2.5" or less (not really the products fault)!

This sub has very accurate, very restrained bass. Great for listening to real music and those who appreciate accurate bass. If you've ever lovingly looked at a pair of audiobahm or MTX subs for you car this speaker is not for you. Works best in an average sized room. I live in a studio apartment and this thing is overkill, makes my oven dance. Power ratings seem low, but speaker outperforms the RMS rating.

I found this to be a superb product, very tight, strong base...has the ability to shake the walls of my house! One-Call shipped this product quickly and safely. Will definitely recommend this product 10 times over.