This is about as great a sub as could be asked for. I am assuming that this site is for the FSR-15, I don't know what the 1500 is. As a point of recommendation, let me say this: not until I added the FSR-15 to my system did I ever get a complaint from the neighbors! This sub really puts out! My reference is the Cambridge Soundworkks Sub 1--I now use it as one Sub in a stereo sub set-up. There is no comparison between the two. The Velodyne is supereior in every way except one very important thing--- it is not shielded. This leads to terrible interference problems with cable TV. Unless you can keep this behemoth away from Unshielded cables, I recommend it highly. It is the ultimate subwoofer for reasonably sized rooms. I got mine from One Call for around a grand! What a bargain! One Call Is the BEST mail-order company ever! Thank you One Call!

Wow! This speaker proved to be quite an upgrade from the Snell PS.10 I was using. Properly set up, there is no way this powerful subwoofer will disappoint any rational individual, as it easily moves huge amounts of air. Bass produced by the Velodyne's large 15 inch driver is as deep and clean as can be expected from any speaker. This bass comes at a price however, as the massive Velodyne weighs a ton and is unshielded, making it difficult to place in some home theaters. Despite these drawbacks, the FSR-15 makes no serious compromises, and is a top caliber performer. If you have the cash, and a room that can handle it, the Velodyne FSR-15 surely, will be an awesome addition to your system.

I've been delaying my move from 2 channel audio to home theatre for some time. I knew the cornerstone of my system was going to be a Velodyne sub three years ago when I compared the sub to the other subs being offered. I listened to a lot of left and right speakers and had to really concentrate to pick out little differences. The differences between this sub and its competitors was not slight. When my dealer played music through this sub versus the others, there was a significant difference in sound. I pushed the go button two weeks ago when I went into my dealer and he had decided to go with the lower cost Velodyne CT line. He was clearing out the FSR subs. For this reason the value for me is five stars. Paying typical prices I would rate the sub a 4 on the value scale.

I have been waiting to purchase a Sub-woofer to provide the bottom octave of sound in my sound system for sometime. My strategy was to get full sonic reproduction 20khz - 20hz without having to purchase full range stereo speakers that would cost more than 5k.
I also hate inaccurate sound reproduction flabby bass bloat.
I purchase the FSR1500 upon recommendation of a knowledgeable sales person (the owner) from local high end store (get to the owner if you can, they have a different agenda than the sales people).
I also have read various reviews in the Audio magazines reviews where Velodyne consistently is rated as one of the best in subwoofer design innovation and performance.
He compared Velodyne 15 and 18 to Rel and B&W subs, which I had listened too and I agree with his observations.
He spoke of the quickness and accuracy of the Velodyne subs and how he has been able to dial-in the Velodynes with the very best stereo speakers: Silver Signatures, Maggies, Apogees etc.
He stated he has been able to blend the Velodyne subs seamlessly with any top rated speaker you care to name.
He also recommended at least the FSR15 because it gets you all the way down to 20hz something the FSR12 could not provide.
I agree that if you are going to by a sub, and you can afford to, get one that goes all the way to below 20hz.
The FSR18 is a monster of a box and it could not have fit in the space I have available.
I purchase the FSR15 Sub with a 15 day trial and return option.
I hooked the sub to the second set of outputs on my preamp and dialed in the crossover, volume and phase shift to take up where my main speakers start to roll-off (35hz or so).
I put on Mahler's 1st, recorded by Florida Philharmonic and was called away from my listening room.
About 2/3 of the way through the recording there is a large climax and I had forgotten the thing was playing.
My wife and I thought the house had been bombed!
I am not a pyrotechnics kind of a guy but the sub demonstrated it can do that if you want.
I let the sub break in for a couple of weeks and sat down to do some serious listening.
There usually is not a lot of information in the 35-20hz range on most recordings but when there is, this sub delivers with clarity and I dare say finesse.
The sound stage of my system has mysteriously expanded.
The foundation of the music is much more solid and my musical enjoyment has gone up a couple of notches.
I highly recommend any potential sub-woofer shopper to try this sub.
It accurately produces sound to below where you can hear and makes music, my highest praise. My sound system can now provide full audio frequency reproduction that sonically competes with systems several times its price.
To say the least, I did not return the sub.
If you can do music, movies are easy.
Enjoy the hobby!

Sound, adjustment, remote.

None I have heard yet.

I recently went shopping (for about 6 months!) for the best replacement for my 10 year old Velodyne Foundation series 1000 (now called the FSR-1000 I believe) and tried all the subs listed above and more. Firstly, anything under $800 was totally unacceptable - usually because of the inacurracy of the unit - and many times a "boomy" and "sloppy" base that seemed to spike at approx. 100-200Hz, yes, you read it right! Now I don't know about the rest of you but I generally get a subwoofer for the reproduction of sounds under 100Hz, if your main speakers don't go down that far then do ourself a favor and get some that do - then do yourself another favor and go get a "real" subwoofer. Anyway, that brings us to the models listed above; Sunfire - very good but not quite "tight" enough, Velodyne HGS series - beautiful sound but cannot justify such a large difference in price based solely on the 1500/3000watt class D amp (What do I nedd to implode my house with this thing? That's what demolition experts are for. Same here for the SUnfire, BTW), FSR-1000 - Hey, I wanted an upgrade I could feel!(also, the remote on the FSR-1500 was a great feature given the different levels of available base in recordings - just listen to Sanata's Supernatural compared to almost anything else) JBL 1000 - there might be more letters with this model but you know the one, I thought it was sloppy and boomy, no good! I am very happy with my selection of the FSR-1500 and tend to think the previous reviewer that experienced the "hole" in the 40-80Hz range may have been dealing with a bad run, or maybe it was a problem that Velodyne has subsequently fixed, I'm not sure but there is definitely no drop off in that range from my FSR-1500. It is so powerful that I can actually feel the air pressure against my eardrums (this is different than just plain loudness, you have to have experienced it to understand what I mean) and sometimes in the middle of my chest. I urge anyone in the market for a "true" subwoofer to check this model out, or it's big brother the FSR-1800, you'll be glad you did!

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire MKII, HGS-10, FSR-1000, JBL 1000, many others!

Undistorted bottom octave output, build quality, remote

Not quite as musical as my M&K MX-105 II but it's definitely not a one-note subwoofer.

I was originally going to order the F1800XR that Velodyne makes for OneCall but I couldn't pass up the deal on this brand-new F-1500R. It was advertised as a damaged box unit that had a light scuff on top and the price was only $550!!
I was familiar with this sub from reviews back in 1995-96 so I jumped on it.

Anyway, it is just what I expected. The very bottom end (25hz and lower) is stronger than my M&K and there is also greater clean output at the bottom. On fast acoustic bass it can't match the M&K but it doesn't get left far behind. On Pipe Organ recordings the Velodyne really asserts itself and pulls ahead of the M&K in extension, output and overall realism. Both subs have their own strengths and weaknesses but are excellent nonetheless.

I'll do a more in depth review after I've broken the F-1500 in for an extended duration.

BTW, much to my surprise I couldn't find a scuff mark anywhere on the big Velo, boy was I relieved. $550 for a Servo-controlled Velodyne that cost $1500 a couple of years ago, SCORE!

Onkyo TX-DS777
Panasonic C220 5-DVD
M&K 750 THX Select w/MX-105 II upgrade
Velodyne F-1500R

Similar Products Used:

M&K MX-105 II, M&K MX-90 circa 1992-93. I've listened to countless other subs.