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SVS vs Velodyne – Which Brand Is Better?

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

CriteriaSVSVelodyne
Brand ReputationSVS 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 QualitySVS emphasizes powerful and accurate bass reproduction with its subwoofers.Velodyne is known for delivering deep, precise, and impactful bass performance.
Build Quality/DesignSVS 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 RangeSVS offers a range of subwoofers, speakers, and audio accessories.Velodyne provides a variety of subwoofers designed for different audio setups and applications.
PricingSVS 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.
FeaturesSVS 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.

svs subwoofer company logo

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 logo

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.

velodyne subwoofer

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.

velodyne subwoofer

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:

Velodyne Cost

Velodyne products are kind of expensive but are very affordable. Below are the prices of the different products by Velodyne.

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.