powerful

not musical

I have to disagree with the previous postings on this sub. I home demoed it versus a $1300 Pardigm Servo-15. The Velodyne was definately the winner in terms of sheer brute strength - I was actually worried about hurting my bay windows because they were flexing so much! However, the sub was not musical. It has bad transient response - it simply sounds a step behind the rest of the music. It would make a killer movie-only sub, though. The Paradigm, on the other hand, was very musical but not as powerful. Switching between the two was incredibly revealing - the Velodyne sounded horrible by comparison. My fiance, who has better hearing than I, agreed. She hated the Velodyne saying it sounded like one rumbling bass noise rather than music. She liked the Pardigm.

I didn't buy either the Velodyne or the Paradigm because, thank goodness, I demoed an Energy ES-18XL first! See my review of that speaker for more info.

Finally, when the Velodyne first came out it was $2700 firm. Now it is available for $1800. Why is that do you suppose?! Again, I feel it would be a great movie-only sub, but if you will listen to music on the same system you owe it to yourself to home demo the thing versus a couple other subs first.

3 stars overall because of the sheer power of the thing.
Only 2 stars when you consider its price.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Servo-15; Energy ES-18XL

Finest sub in its class

None

The one thing I hate about this site is that some folks don't give honest views on a product because they want the product they purchase to shine so they belittle another product simply because they can't afford it. I'm specifically talking about the review below by Gary. To say this sub is not musical and has a rumbling noise means it was not set up or adjusted properly, the person had inferior electronics or simply does not have an ear. All the established and respected magazines have given the HGS-18 sub their highest recommendation as well as the other reviewers on this site. But, Gary starts off his review discussing the price of it as oppose to the price of a Pardigm or the Energy. Folks, I purchased this sub based upon a recommendation of a friend, and I can tell you, there is better sub in its price range for music or home theatre. Good electronics and good cable makes it shine even more so. The sub is awesome and enhances listening to music as well as home theatre. The rumbling heard by Gary must have been some subsonic bass picked up by the sub due to some bad connection or other problem. Regardless or his problem, you won't hear any rumbling unless the material carries it or some bad connection carries low freqency material. This sub rocks.

Similar Products Used:

Other Velodynes, Paradigm and Energy

powerful

transient response

I have reviewed this product before, so I am going against Review Guidelines by posting again, but I simply want to defend my previous post against Julius Parham, who resorted to bashing my post instead of realizing everyone is allowed his or her own opinion.

First, I have a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and 7 years experience in advanced software development, so no, Julius, price was not the deciding factor.

Second, I am using quality electronics - Harmon Kardon preamp and Audioquest interconnects. Plus, if you know anything about audio, you realize that even todays cheap electronics have noise levels way below that of the best speakers. Furthemore, I was able to obtain excellent results with other subs. And yes, I tried many placement and crossover settings trying to make the Velodyne sound good. I really WANTED it to sound good, because it does have the most output of any sub I've heard.

Third, I have a several thousand dollar system in my car. No, I am not saying that car systems compare to quality home systems, but a high quality car system can spoil you with tons of clean, tight bass. The Velodyne was unable to match the transient response I was used to in my car.

Finally, I do have an ear, two for that matter, and my fiance, who can pick up nuances I'll never hear, agrees with me totally concerning the lack of musicallity of the Velodyne. Furthermore, speaking of not having an ear, you bought your sub on the recommendation of a friend instead of auditioning subs yourself! I listened to dozens of subs in stores and home-demoed several before finally making an informed descision. Just because a friend recommends a speaker or because you read some great reviews of it doesn't mean you'll like it - speakers are a very personal thing. Try to think for yourself sometime - you just might like it.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Servo-15; Energy ES-18XL

The epitome of subwoofers, remote control, blue LED on front panel serves double-duty as visual feedback for remote control, glossy black finish makes it appear smaller than it really is.

Price?, size?

I'd always wanted this beast. I was reluctant to pay the price. I'm glad I finally did! I got the Velodyne for my home theater system that uses JBL Studio Monitors. I'm using 4430's for L&R, 4425's for surrounds and Control 28's for center. The sound is spectacular. Movies take on a greater emotional level and action scenes have become more intense. Occasionally I'll listen to CD's over the system, they sound terrific as well...it's not only deeper than the Sunfire, but more musical as well. Now I see what all the fuss is about. I love this thing.

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire True Subwoofer Mk II

low, clean

people like gary

Fantastic sub, no problems except for trying to get over the price. Let me mention that Gary's wife should try pulling her head out of her ass, she might not hear that rumbling anymore. Seriously, people shouldn't post opinions about 2k subwoofer when their using a HK preamp...that made the joke on you Gary. I have heard the $28k krell(2600watts) dual 15", diamond matched 1" thick aluminum cabinet and of course...nothing compares. The Velo is the perfect sub at it's price point...if you want better, go buy the Krell.

Similar Products Used:

def tech, fsr series, homemade jbl 15s

Power,Remote Control,Dynamic,natural sound

None

I purchased the HGS 18 on Spec. without ever seeing it, to complete a surround sound system that is based on a pair of 26 year old restored main speaker systems.(with a bit of professional advice.)The result is the sound I fell in love with all those years ago, with the added dimension of extended bass that only a powerful, natural sounding sub can deliver. As a musician, I compare my home listening experiences to weekly, live performances and adjust the system from that perspective.
I use the Sunfire Signature Amp.@405 watts X 5 for the main system,which makes the Velodyne class D Amp.@1250 watts with 3000 watts peak power, a great match as an amplified subwoofer.
If you are looking to create a "live" listening enviornment in your home without damaging your system, this is a GREAT way to go. Music always comes first for me, but the movie experience is just as incredible!

Similar Products Used:

None

50,000 watt amp, hand made cabinet. Nice port job, alot of ports is good w/ that much power, especially 50k watts.

just barely turning the volume up, cant let it rip, too LOUD!

I throw alot of dance parties in arenas, and needed bass. So I went to Kreuzler-Karbarenger, in England, and asked them to give me the MOST POWERFUL AMP, and 4 15"'s in a powered sub., so they hand made a cabinet that is 4 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 7 feet deep, and weighs in at about 280 pounds. Each 15" has a 600 oz. magnet, and the back of the box has 12 1" ports, while the front sports a 6 ft. wide bottom slot port. GOOD GOD. My balls were about to rattle off. I DIDNT HAVE THAT MUCH CASH UP FRONT. So, I went to SEVERAL loan companies in the U.S. and got MANY loans taken out. And will be paying for the next 40 years, but, hey, the profit i make, it's like chump change. It has a hand stained walnut finish on the cabinet, and, im not real sure what kinda woofers are in there, im not going to take it apart to find out, no way, toooooooo expensive to mess with like that. I have casters on the bottom, and i have a dolly for it, i also have a hardshell cover (handmade) for it, w/ the company's name on it. I put the volume knob only 3 notches up, (max is 20 notches), and even in the arenas, and outside at concerts, i've had people a quarter of a mile away calling the police. It actually makes the gravel and dirt "bounce". Since the company is private, i cannot give out the phone #, etc., plus this is probally only for people w/ outdoor stuff, DEFENTALLY NOT an indoor sub, it would literally make your house frame shatter and probally caused injury buy collapsing. oh yea, this thing draws too much damn power too.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES 9000 amp, w/ Sony ES $1700 reciever

What can I say; blends well seemlessly with my main speakers, Infinity Composition Preludes. The bass is quick, articulate and natural sounding. Its rather large, but I'm glad I bought it. I'm so impress, I'm considering buying a smaller one, the HGS-12 for my bed room.

This unit delivers astounding bass in my system. I have it crossed over to my Carver Amazing Platinums at 40Hz. The Carvers went low but could not produce the bass power and punch that the HGS-18 delivers on organ pedal. The addition of this subwoofer is without question the biggest improvement that I have noticed in my sound system.

AMAZING PRODUCT

Sometimes gets into an infinite feedback loop when I shut off my receiver, when the volume is mid-level.

Well worth $2000