I recently purchased a Velodyne FSR-18 to supplement or replace my existing subs, two of the VMPS Large Subwoofers. The experience with the FSR-18 did not begin well - the first unit had a rattle in the driver at anything above low volume. I purchased the sub from a mail order dealer, it was shipped via truck, so it could have been damaged in transit. However, the box was in perfect shape, so I suspect it was defective from the factory. The unit had surprisingly little shock protection in the shipping box - Velodyne should do much better than this at this price point.
I ordered a replacement and the second unit is great. I have never heard this quality or quantity of bass from my system. Pipe organ music is simply stunning. On some orchestral music (as well as a digital recording that I made myself) the really low frequency "hall noise" (HVAC, etc.) comes thru loud and clear. No boom, just pure, undistorted bass. This thing really moves the air! - as well as windows, ceiling tiles, furniture. Movie sound tracks are thrilling with the tremendous impact.

The FSR-18 goes down at least one full octave below the VMPS. Although the VMPS is rated -3db at 17Hz, it by no means makes it. Both of mine roll steeply below 30Hz. From informal measurements, it appears that the FSR-18 is going strong at 10Hz, at about 5 db down from the 20Hz level.

One reviewer noted loud buzzing in the FSR-18. Two likely causes. First, there is a small amount of residual noise with the volume down. I have read somewhere that this is the servo. Second, the sub has a very high input sensitivity. If the sub level control on the back panel is advanced beyond 12 o'clock, there is a very good chance of hum from the signal cable, or from the receiver or preamp. However, in my system (Denon AVP-8000), the correct sub level is attained with the preamp's sub level at 0db and the sub's volume control at about 10 o'clock. Still a low level of hum there, but inaudible at the couch and certainly not a "loud buzz."

In summary, the FSR-18 is replacing the VMPS as the main sub. I am trying the VMPS as subs for the back channels, but so far have not decided whether or not to leave them there.

So, I give the FSR-18 a 5 for performance, but give Velodyne a 3 for quality control - at $2000 dollars, it should work out of the box.

AS AN OWNER OF A BAG END INFRA SUB [ WHAT A TACKY NAME FOR A SUB ] AFTER READING ALL THE GLOWING REVIEWS ON THE FSR-18, I GOT A DEALER TO LET ME TRY ONE FOR SEVEN DAYS.I PLACED IT WHERE THE BAG END HAD BEEN,12 FEET TO MY RIGHT AND 17 FEET TO THE REAR OF MAINS. AFTER FOUR DAYS OF CONSTANT A-B ING THE TWO I CAME TO THEESE CONCLUSIONS. THE VELOD. HAD MORE SHEER OUTPUT AND DAM NEAR CRACKED THE PLASTER ON THE WALL. HOWEVER THE VEL. DOES NOT BLEND SEAMLESSLY WITH THE MAINS LIKE THE BAG DOES. LOVE THE REMOTE FOR VOLUME ADJ. IMO THE BAG IS A LOT MORE REFINED AND TIGHTER. WITH THE VEL. I ALWAYS KNEW THERE WAS A SUB IN THE ROOM.AS A FINAL TEST PUT ON CELION DEION [ MY HEART WILL GO ON ] LOADED WITH UNGODLY LOWWWWWW BASS. I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAG WITH THIS CUT, SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE VEL.AT VERY LOUD LEVELS APPROACHING VERY LOUD BOTH SUBS WENT INTO THERMAL SHUTDOWN. FINAL CONCLUSION IMO THE VEL AND B&W 3000 ARE FANTASTIC ON MOVIES AND VERY GOOD ON TWO CHANNEL, DO NOT KNOW ANYONE WHO WATCHES MORE MOVIES THAN TWO CHANNEL STEREO. THE BAG IMO HAS NO PEERS FOR STEREO UNDER 2,500.00 AND IS GREAT FOR MOVIES, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS THE VEL AND 3000. TOOK THE VEL BACK YESTERDAY WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE THINKING ,I GUESS THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. ONE MORE THING.I READ ABOUT A LOT OF PACKAGING AND AMP. PROBLEMS WITH THE VEL.????? THE BAG CAME TO ME FULLY ENCASED IN 4.5 INCHES OF DENSE FOAM. I FURTHER BELIEVE THAT THE NAME ALONE IS HURTING SALES BAG END, TERRIBLE NAME. HAVE NEVER SEEN AN AD FOR ANY BAG END PRODUCTS, VEL. IS SMEARED ON EVERY AUD. MAG. YOU READ. FINALLY CONSIDERING YOU CAN BUY A INFRA 18 FOR 1,100.00 I WILL LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.

When I went to my dealer I asked him If I could hear a B&W ASW 4000 and the Velodyne FSR-18, because I thought it was time to change my subwoofer which was the ASW 3000, I was also excited to hear the new ASW 4000 for the first time and hoped that B&W had made a huge improvement for the money. I was also premiering the Velodyne. Well I got both subwoofers into my house after getting in the intrum getting my back broken from carrying them. I must admit the 4000 has one of the most beautiful finishes available. Yet once I connected them and had a good listen to them by listing to first all my classical music, then to my BIG PICTURE (DTS) and finaly listing to some DVD movies, It was the typical B&W bass which was all ommffff. The Velodyne trashed It into the ground with it's tight and non distorted sound what so ever. My processor was the E.A.D Signature, which is very very impressive. I think that if one really loves the B&W they sould go for it but my money was on the Velodyne. One of the best subwoofers out there today. I also look forward to hearing the new HGS 18 which Velodyne is braging about.

I would have to say that I am one of the luckiest people I know! I was killing time before a movie so I stopped at a new 6th ave electronics store in my area. I just purchased the Sony ES 555 and 7700 DVD player and wanted to upgrade my other components. Low and behold they actually carried Paradigm and Velodyne! I asked a rep what the prices were on the Servo 15 and then he said the magic words, "I think we also have an FSR-18 in stock!" I saw that he had the f1800 RII on the sales floor so that is what I thought he meant. I said to check the price for both. He came back from the back and said that it was a new speaker in the box, and it read FSR-18. Then he went to his readout where is said list $2100, discounted price, $899.00 I said is this a mean joke or a refurb?!, and he said "No". I had to buy it on the spot! I was looking at the Servo-15 for $1500. I went home checked the condition and the specs both were what I had hoped for including the users manual which said, FSR-18 3000 watts, 1250 RMS. Well after hooking it up and listening to a few CD's and DVD's I new that I was blessed that day. The Holy Grail of Sub's at a everyday price. Now if I can only find that New Plasma TV for under Three grand!!!

It's overwhelming ability to produce bass at below 20hz.

Very large, and heavy cabinet.

I have two of these in my system, I am impressed with there ability to drop into the 15hz range. The walls shake the ground rumbles, but I can here no sound. Wow! By farthe best sub I have ever heared. I had a slight problem with video feedback when one of the power cords crossed over the satelite coaxil, the was remedied by relocating the power cord to a different wall outlet.




My system:
Yamaha RXV-793 reciever
Yamaha M-85 main amp
Yamaha MX-630 rear amp
Magnepan MGMC1 center channel
Magnepan MG1.6 main speakers
Magnepan MMG rear channel
2 Velodyne FSR18 subs

Loud, accurate, low bass

Tiny bit of buzz from the servo amp

Having recently earned my degree, I decided to celebrate my liberation from grad-school penury with my first true home theater purchase. I bought a pair of FSR-18s a few months ago, refurbished at $1299 each. I got them from Sound City, and the purchase process was great.

I did a lot of reviewing (including numerous trips to audioreview.com) before I selected these. The reports of the "audible buzz" that they produce were scaring me off a little. Eventually, I realized that the price was very reasonable, and the things could apparently play very loud. They arrived within a week, and I had them set up in a snap. (Note: these things are not for the faint of muscle to lift. They are very heavy and bulky, and difficult to get your arms around. Two people may be required.)

The verdict: they reach octaves that I've never heard before. Actually, I still haven't heard them; I cannot heard sounds that low. These subs play infrasonic seemingly without effort. My first sub-bass experience can from a train in a television commercial, just after I had hooked them up. The entire bottom floor of my house (2700sf) started to vibrate, with no audible sound. I don't think I'll ever need to purchase any subwoofers again. (Of course, that was also the line I used on my wife so she'd let me buy them, but now I believe it myself.)

The bass is deep and clean, and I haven't heard them strain yet. The buzz or noise that other reviewers have noted is, in my opinion, not an issue. True, if you move within a couple yards of them and listen for it, then you can hear it. Otherwise, it is not a distraction when listening to any program material, be it a movie, a Slayer album, or a Tchaikovsky ballet. The servo amplifier technology along with the sealed enclosure produce excellent damping and time correlation, resulting in very accurate and incredibly powerful low bass. Since Velodyne appears to be discontinuing this product as they move to their HGS line, they might be available at reasonable prices.

I am using a couple of Panamax SubMax surge suppressors to protect them, and these are also excellent products. Be sure to buy one for each sub. They have one power outlet (15A, 1800W) and two bidirectional protected signal loops with RCA connectors. I used one loop each for signal input and output (I am using the subs' built-in crossovers) for each sub in my stereo sub setup. Each SubMax retails for about $50, and I think they are excellent protection and insurance.

Here is my experiance with the FSR18. I had a Gloss Black unit delivered by the dealer. The unit was buzzing so loudly I was sure it had to be defective. The dealer offered to replace it, and 3 weeks later delivered a new unit. The box said Black Gloss, but after unpacking, it was black vinyl. Anyway, I hooked it up and it was buzzing just as loudly as the first unit. Not outrageously loud, but enough that I could hear it from my listening position 10 feet away. One thing I cannot tolerate in my listening room are noisy buzzy speakers or equipment. The subwoofer did appear to be working o.k. but the constant noise and the black gloss to vinyl mixup was enough to discourage me. I returned the unit. Based on my experiences, sorry, 3 stars...

ZEROOO!!

DA TING ROCKS!!!! HAVE HAD IT FOR 3+ YEARS HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY NOISES OUT OF DIS BAD BOY OTHER THAN SOME VERY SOLID BASS CANNOT RATE DIS ONE HIGH ENOUGH SO I"LL GO 5+5 KLIPSCH"S WERE GOOD ,STILL HAVE IN OTHER SYSTEM ,DID NOT LIKE SUNFIRE ,FSR-18 STANDS ALONE OTHERS CAN"T COMPETE © VERY SOLID BUY FOR THE MONEY© MY SYSTEM CINEPRO 3K6II CHIRO C-800 C 5©1DTS 4 KLIPSCH CF-4 EPIC SERIES 2KV-4 CENTER CHANNELS FSR-18 PIONEER 525 DVD DENON 460 CD SHARPVISION 37-VU

Similar Products Used:

KLIPSCH 15 KSW, AND OLD KLIPSCH15 MODEL, SUNFIRE,AND CUSTOM MADE

Clean,powerful,thumping subsonic bass.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME OR WHAT! In all seriousness, this piece is prodigious in both size and price.

Let's face it, a sub is suppose to give the audience clean, powerful bass when it comes to movies and music. This sub does the best overall job of any sub on the market period. I have had my FSR-18 for a year now and when friends ask my advice on what sub to purchase my reponse is " I'll get my copy of "The HAUNTING" (dts)crank it up on my system (see below) and let's what you think. Not one of the subs mentioned above (REL/M&K)could go toe to toe with the Velodyne 18. However, I must be fair, the Rel (I believe it was the Stadium)sounded better only in the stereo mode however, it was something like 2 to 3k more in price.

System

Krell Home Theater Standard Processor
Krell 250/3a & 250a amps
Toshiba SD9200 DVD
Arcam FMJ cd23
FSR-18
Snell XA-60 Mains
Vieanna Acoustice Hayden Rears
NHT AC2 center
Montster M1000 XLR Balanced Interconnects
bi wire speaker cables.

Similar Products Used:

REL
M&K

This is the best sub that I have ever heard. I liked it so much that I bought two. It is powerful, clean, and tight. I compared it to the HGS-18. It has the same 1250 watt amp as the HGS-18, but has a different driver. Both subs are excellent, but the FRS-18 had a slight output advantage. The FRS-18 has much less distortion than the Bag End Infrasub, Sunfire, and Earthquake. The FRS-18 is also more powerful and dynamic than the Genesis 900, any M&K sub, and the B&W 4000. You can feel and hear the power of the FRS-18 when the movie or music calls for a lot of bass. It is excellent with both music and home theater. Stereophile gave it a class A rating about a year ago for a good reason. It is simply at the top of the subwoofer class.