SVS and Velodyne are two renowned and well-respected brands in the audio industry that produce high-quality speakers, headphones, soundbars, and subwoofers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at the sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points. However, we will compare them as closely as we can.
SVS products are known for their excellent sound quality and powerful bass in a futuristic casing, while Velodyne products are known for their high-quality sound, extremely deep bass, innovative features/speaker technologies and good construction.
SVS vs Velodyne Comparison Table
| Criteria | SVS | Velodyne |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | SVS is well-regarded for its high-performance subwoofers and audio products. | Velodyne is recognized for its long-standing expertise in subwoofer technology and impactful bass. |
| Sound Quality | SVS emphasizes powerful and accurate bass reproduction with its subwoofers. | Velodyne is known for delivering deep, precise, and impactful bass performance. |
| Build Quality/Design | SVS products feature robust build quality, often with a sleek and modern design. | Velodyne emphasizes solid build quality with a focus on functional and sometimes unique designs. |
| Product Range | SVS offers a range of subwoofers, speakers, and audio accessories. | Velodyne provides a variety of subwoofers designed for different audio setups and applications. |
| Pricing | SVS products are positioned in various price ranges, offering options for different budgets. | Velodyne products cover a range of price points, including both entry-level and high-end models. |
| Features | SVS products integrate advanced technologies for enhanced low-frequency performance. | Velodyne subwoofers often include advanced features like room calibration and adjustable tuning options. |
Before we continue, you can check out similar comparisons in the series:
Pros and Cons of Velodyne:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality subwoofers with excellent sound quality and strong bass response. Many of their products are well-regarded for their value for money.
- Cons: Some users have reported issues with durability and reliability of some of their products.
Pros and Cons of SVS:
- Pros: Known for producing high-quality subwoofers and speakers with excellent sound quality and strong bass response. They offer a wide range of products at different price points, so there is something for everyone.
- Cons: Some of their products can be expensive, and some users have reported issues with durability.
Quick History
SVS Quick History
SVS was founded by a group of audio-loving engineers, in 1998. The innovation was driven by the need to create world-class, immersive, and affordable subwoofers and amplifiers.
The company is based in Youngtown, Ohio and currently produces speakers, subwoofers and cables.
Velodyne Quick History
David Hall founded Velodyne in 1983 as an audio company specializing in subwoofer, and headphone technology. It was separated from Velodyne Acoustics in 2016. The company’s headquarters are based in San Jose, California.
Velodyne is the first public pure-play lidar company known worldwide for its broad portfolio of breakthrough lidar technologies. Velodyne offers flexibility, and quality performance to satisfy the requirements of numerous industries.
Sound Quality
SVS Sound Quality
SVS’s designs are produced by a top-notch acoustic engineering team that combines sophisticated technology, precision engineering, exhaustive lab, real-world testing, and a deep passion for audio excellence.
The company produces reference-grade loudspeakers with coherent soundstage and pinpoint imaging, superb detail, and sonic transparency. The subwoofers also deliver a great audio experience and come with a 5-year unconditional warranty.
As an example, the SoundMatch 2-way crossover is used with a tapered array design that helps minimize beaming and creates an expansive, focused, and precise soundstage. The Precise tuning of SoundMatch Crossover also helps deliver pinpoint accuracy of highs, mids, and lows.
The acoustically optimized 1-inch aluminum dome tweeters and high-output 4.5-inch midrange drivers ensure the delivery of high sound quality.
Velodyne Sound Quality
Velodyne has been a market leader for quite some time due to the sound quality of its products and is renowned for providing the highest accuracy, even at the lowest frequencies.
Their selling point is that their products have a rigid bass performance even at the lowest of volumes. However, the upper limit of their volume level is quite disappointing and limited compared to some other audio brands. The mids are pretty normal, but nothing spectacular there. It, therefore, goes without saying that Velodyne is more popular for its subwoofer than any other product.
Features
SVS Features
Here are some of the striking SVS features:
- Active digital crossover
- Compact, stylish, and acoustically refined cabinets
- 192kHz/24-bit lossless streaming
- Mono or stereo playback options
- Subwoofers feature active dual opposing 8-inch drivers
Velodyne Features
Velodyne was the first public lidar company and has many features that keep them running effectively to this day. Some of these include:
- Over 30-foot Bluetooth connectivity
- plug adapter
- Micro USB charging cable
- High-quality mic for video games.
- Braided cloth and tangle-resistant cables
- Gold plated cable connectors
Build Quality
SVS Build Quality
The build quality of SVS speakers and subwoofers is pristine, with tapered edges known as chamfers used to minimize edge diffraction. Acoustic enhancements such as shorting rings and a tweeter diffuser add performance-driven style to the speakers. These are packed into compact and appealing cabinets available in stunning piano gloss black or premium black ash finish.
Velodyne Build Quality
Velodyne has some unique build quality features. For example, their subwoofers come with high-quality long-throw drivers and 2-inch copper-wound voice coils.
Moreover, their earphones are well-built and user-friendly. The cable that comes with their headphones is smooth, tangle-free, and matte-finished.
Ease of Use
SVS Ease Of Use
SVS added physical controls directly to its active speakers to make it easier to control the volume, choose the inputs to use, or pause playback directly. The speakers are also easy to mount.
Velodyne Ease Of Use
Velodyne devices are easy to use. Velodyne introduced mobile robots using a combination of 2D cameras, time-of-flight infrared depth cameras, and 2D lidar. It is said that Velodyne Lidar’s latest technologies help AMRs be more useful in the warehouse, logistics, and construction industries. Velodyne subwoofers and headphones are also very easy to use. There’s a manual you can refer to if you find it difficult to customize any setting.
Cost
SVS Cost
Here’s a range of prices for SVS speakers and subwoofers:
- Speakers: $200 – $1000
- Subwoofers: $500 – $2000
Velodyne Cost
Velodyne products are kind of expensive but are very affordable. Below are the prices of the different products by Velodyne.
- Subwoofers: $500 – $1000
- Speakers: $200 – $2000
- Headphone: $150 – $400
- Earphones: $20 – $100
- Home theater systems: $500 – $1000
- AV receivers: $300 – $2500
- Soundbars: $150 – $250
- Stereo Amplifiers: $700 – $3000
Space Requirements
SVS Space Requirements
The speakers are built into compact cabinets that are easy to mount anywhere. The subwoofers are also decently built with smooth edges and small cabinets that take very little floor space.
Velodyne Space Requirements
Velodyne devices do not take up much space. They produce different sizes of products. You have to take your available space into consideration before buying any product. Most of their subwoofers are within the normal size range expected for most subwoofers, and they are not too bulky. Their headphones are flexible and foldable, which makes them use less space.
Remote Controls
SVS Remote Controls
SVS remote controls help you seamlessly control speakers and subwoofers without changing your sitting position. Moreover, you can now control the SVS subwoofers with a wireless SVS app. This app works in a similar way as wired remote controls.
Velodyne Remote Controls
Velodyne products come with an infrared remote control with a 4 AAA removable battery that works perfectly when in a range of 20 feet. It can also work for multiple devices.
Connectivity Options
SVS Connectivity Options
SVS supports several connectivity options as listed below:
- Bluetooth with aptX and AAC for high fidelity streaming from iOS and Android devices
- Dual-band Wi-Fi for direct streaming
- DTS Play-Fi app control
- AUX
- Optical and line-level inputs for high fidelity sound from gaming consoles, TVs, AV receivers, CD players, turntables, etc.
- Ethernet input for hard-wired internet connection
- USB port for adding an SVS SoundPath wireless audio adapter
and charging mobile devices
- Speaker level inputs
Power Range
SVS Power Range
SVS speakers deliver a wide range of power with output as high as 720 watts. The subwoofers feature all-new 12-inch SVS drivers delivering up to 550 W RMS and over 1,500-watt peak power amplifiers.
Velodyne Power Range
Velodyne lidar has low power consumption. They consume around 8W to 55W, while their subwoofers have a power range of 150W to 400W. Their amplifiers produce a power range of 3000W dynamic and 1250W RMS power.
Frequency Response
SVS Frequency Response
The speakers have a frequency response of 48 Hz – 25 kHz, while the subwoofers work from 17 Hz to 270Hz.
Velodyne Frequency Response
Most Velodyne audio devices have an average frequency response of 1 Hz–300 Hz, though it varies from device to device. An example is the Velodyne DB8 Subwoofer with a frequency response of 32 Hz–180 Hz (+/-3dB) and the Velodyne 80-IMP10B with a frequency response of 32 Hz–140 Hz (+/-3 dB).
Conclusion
SVS puts out a high-quality sound with clear and crispy treble. Many of their speakers are audiophile-grade, and their subwoofers are powerful. There is a good range of products to meet every budget. This is why if you are looking for good speakers, SVS should be on your top list. Without a doubt, Velodyne has been a household name for generations because of the quality of its products. They are the first public lidar company and they sure have consistently produced products to match their standard and reputation. They might be expensive, but they are surely worth the price.