Velodyne Acoustics, the brand that practically defined what serious bass could sound like for a generation of audiophiles, is back in U.S. distribution, and it’s bringing some muscle to the table. The legendary subwoofer maker announced today that Playback Distribution will serve as its exclusive U.S. distributor, debuting the partnership at CEDIA 2025.
This isn’t just a press-release handshake. Under the leadership of Audio Reference owner Mansour Mamaghani since 2019, Velodyne has been quietly redefining bass technology with a mix of analog know-how and digital wizardry. Now, with Playback handling logistics, customer support, and integrator relationships, Velodyne is making sure its iconic products don’t vanish into the online abyss—or get caught in the shuffle of a distributor game of musical chairs that seems to be dominating the market right now. Tariffs, supply chain headaches, and market uncertainty have left many brands scrambling, but Velodyne looks determined to make its move on its own terms.
“For a company with strong American roots, we’re thrilled to partner with Playback Distribution to make Velodyne more accessible to U.S. customers,” said Mamaghani. “Playback brings the expertise needed to nurture and grow our CI network while giving customers more ways to experience our market-defining subwoofers firsthand.”
The U.S. expansion is designed to hit multiple fronts. The custom installation channel remains central—no surprise there—highlighted by the debut of the SubContractor series at CEDIA. Playback’s infrastructure is set up with CI pros in mind, promising reliable logistics and hands-on support. Showroom demos, a dedicated U.S. website at velodyneusa.com, and direct access to technical support all mean customers can finally see and hear the gear before plopping down their cash.
CEDIA attendees will get a taste of the SPL-X Series subwoofers, the SC-600 IW X in-wall speaker, and the SC-1500 amplifier with app-controlled auto EQ room measurement. Mamaghani himself will be on-site to talk shop, answer questions, and remind the industry why Velodyne’s bass pedigree still matters.
“We’re honored to help bring this legendary brand back to prominence in the American market,” said Rob Standley, President of Playback Distribution. “Velodyne has earned royalty status in the subwoofer world, and we consider ourselves lucky to be the ones welcoming the king back home.”
With this move, Velodyne is clearly staking a claim: the bass world may be chaotic, the distributor chairs may be spinning, and tariffs may be gnawing at margins, but a face-to-face experience, solid CI relationships, and a track record of actual expertise—something the endless stream of online reviewers can’t touch—still carry weight.
Velodyne Acoustics Unveils SPL-X: The Next-Level Subwoofer Flagship
Velodyne’s new SPL-X subwoofers are built to lay down the kind of low-frequency foundation that makes everything else in a system sound complete. Out of the box, they’re ready to go, thanks to a series of handy presets, and they can be integrated into almost any setup with XLR, RCA, or high-level inputs. Studio, home theater, or living room—these subs deliver dependable, powerful bass across the board. The SPL-X series continues Velodyne’s tradition of flagship subwoofers, following in the footsteps of the SPL Ultra and the legendary DD series.
Under the hood, the SPL-X pairs advanced DSP technology with a potent Class D amplifier and heavy-duty carbon drivers, all tied together with a fully parametric 6-band EQ. Automatic room calibration helps the sub deliver linear, distortion-free bass no matter the space.
Performance-wise, the SPL-X hits hard and precise, reaching up to 1800 watts RMS on the larger models, with massive 4-inch voice coils. Dual-spider suspension and vented baskets give the drivers maximum control, even when pushed to extreme levels. Users can adjust volume, crossover frequency, phase, and EQ from the listening position using the free Velodyne app, which also manages subsonic filters, high-pass filters, and presets.
Key Features:
- Class D amplifiers up to 1800 W RMS for tight, precise bass
- Carbon drivers with 3- or 4-inch voice coils for maximum control
- DSP-driven AutoEQ with included microphone for perfect room tuning
- Multiple input options: RCA LFE, RCA stereo, XLR LFE, XLR stereo, and high-level
- Full app control with 6-band EQ, subsonic and high-pass filters, and presets
The SPL-X series is Velodyne making a statement: if you’re serious about bass, this is the subwoofer to build a system around.
Velodyne SPL-X 10
The SPL-X 10 subwoofer is built around a 10″ high-performance driver with a carbon fiber cone, dual-spider suspension, and a basket featuring three ventilation channels for maximum control and minimal distortion. The four-layer 3″ (76mm) voice coil works with a triple ferrite magnet system to deliver tight, authoritative bass.
The enclosure is a reinforced HDF closed design, keeping everything solid and resonance-free. Power comes from a Class D amplifier rated at 1000W RMS (1500W peak), pushing deep, accurate low frequencies down to 18 Hz (±10 dB) and a tighter ±3 dB range from 28–250 Hz.
You get adjustable low-pass filtering from 30–200 Hz with selectable slopes of 12, 24, 36, or 48 dB/octave, plus a delay range of 0–500 ms for precise integration into any room. Inputs include RCA and XLR for stereo or LFE, plus high-level stereo, while outputs mirror the inputs for daisy-chaining setups.
The sub comes dressed in a black fabric grille with an MDF frame and features auto power-on with adjustable sensitivity, plus selectable power modes: Auto, Trigger, or On. Voltage compatibility covers 115–230V. Dimensions are 360 x 340 x 440 mm, weighing 30 kg (33 kg shipping).
In short: compact, punchy, and smartly engineered—SPL-X is a heavyweight in a sleek package, ready to drop serious bass anywhere you set it up.
Velodyne SPL-X 12
The SPL-X 12 steps things up with a 12″ high-performance driver featuring a carbon fiber cone, dual-spider suspension, and a rigid basket with three ventilation channels to keep the motor cool under heavy load. Its four-layer 4″ (102mm) voice coil teams up with a triple ferrite magnet system to deliver even more low-end authority and control.
Housed in a reinforced, closed HDF cabinet, the SPL-X 12 is powered by a Class D amplifier rated at 1200W RMS (1700W peak). Frequency response reaches down to a subterranean 15 Hz (±10 dB) with a tighter ±3 dB window from 25–200 Hz.
Low-pass filtering is adjustable from 30–200 Hz with selectable slopes of 12, 24, 36, or 48 dB/octave. A 0–500 ms delay range allows for perfect timing alignment in any system. Connectivity includes RCA and XLR stereo/LFE inputs, plus high-level stereo, with matching RCA and XLR outputs for system expansion.
The sub sports a black fabric grille on an MDF frame and offers auto power-on with adjustable sensitivity, plus On, Auto, and Trigger power modes. Voltage operation is universal at 115–230V. Dimensions come in at 380 x 400 x 480 mm, with a weight of 35 kg (40 kg shipping).
In short: more cone area, more coil, and more muscle—the SPL-X 12 is designed to fill bigger rooms with clean, controlled bass that digs deep without losing precision.
Velodyne SPL-X 15
The SPL-X 15 is the heavyweight of the lineup, packing a 15″ high-performance driver with a carbon fiber cone, dual-spider suspension, and a basket featuring three ventilation channels for optimal cooling and stability. A four-layer 4″ (102mm) voice coil and triple ferrite magnet system provide the motor strength needed to move serious air while maintaining control.
Its reinforced, closed HDF enclosure houses a Class D amplifier delivering 1500W RMS (2000W peak), pushing bass down to 15 Hz (±10 dB) with a ±3 dB range from 22–180 Hz.
Fine-tuning options include a low-pass filter adjustable from 30–200 Hz with 12, 24, 36, or 48 dB/octave slopes, plus a delay control from 0–500 ms for perfect time alignment. Connectivity covers RCA and XLR stereo/LFE inputs, high-level stereo, and corresponding RCA/XLR outputs for system flexibility.
The SPL-X 15 comes with a black fabric grille on an MDF frame, auto power-on with adjustable sensitivity, and On, Auto, or Trigger power modes. It’s compatible with 115–230V operation. Dimensions are 470 x 470 x 580 mm, weighing in at 45 kg (50 kg shipping).
In short: massive cone, massive power, and massive authority—the SPL-X 15 is built to dominate large rooms with deep, controlled bass that never loses its composure.
Velodyne SPL-X 18
The SPL-X 18 is the flagship bruiser, wielding an 18″ high-performance driver with a carbon fiber cone, dual-spider suspension, and a basket featuring three ventilation channels to keep things cool when the bass gets heavy. A four-layer 4″ (102mm) voice coil and triple ferrite magnet system give it the muscle to deliver massive low-end with precision.
Its sealed, reinforced HDF cabinet houses a Class D amplifier pushing 1800W RMS (2500W peak), extending bass down to a bone-rattling 13 Hz (±10 dB) with a ±3 dB range from 20–180 Hz.
You get full control with a 30–200 Hz adjustable low-pass filter offering 12, 24, 36, or 48 dB/octave slopes, plus 0–500 ms delay adjustment for perfect integration with your system. Connectivity includes RCA and XLR stereo/LFE inputs, high-level stereo, and corresponding RCA/XLR outputs for daisy-chaining or system expansion.
The SPL-X 18 comes dressed with a black fabric grille on an MDF frame, auto power-on with adjustable sensitivity, and selectable On, Auto, or Trigger power modes. It’s compatible with 115–230V operation. Physical stats: 550 x 560 x 620 mm, 55 kg net weight (62 kg shipping).
Bottom line: if the SPL-X 15 is “big,” the SPL-X 18 is seismic—designed to pressurize even the largest rooms with chest-thumping, wall-shaking authority.
The Bottom Line
Velodyne Acoustics is kicking off a new U.S. distribution partnership with Playback Distribution, putting the brand’s SPL-X Series subwoofers front and center for American dealers and installers. The 10-, 15-, and 18-inch models are built for accuracy and control, not marketing hype, giving integrators serious low-end tools they can actually rely on. With Playback handling the stateside rollout, Velodyne’s making it clear they’re ready to compete in the U.S. market with a focused lineup and a streamlined path from warehouse to listening room.
For more information: velodyneacoustics.com
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