I bought the ULD15 II new, somewhere around 20 years ago - can't recall the exact year. It's been in constant use since then in my music system, with one trip back to Velodyne when the foam surround disintegrated years ago. When the speaker itself is reconed or just the surround replaced, the speaker and controller have to be sent to Velodyne so they can adjust the controller to match the speaker characteristics. Now the service manual is available as a PDF for free download, so anyone with modest audio test equipment can go through the adjustments at home. The cabinet on mine looks as good as it did when it was brand new - no deterioration of the finish. It would have been nice if the low pass and high pass frequencies were adjustable with a switch or knob instead of having to solder resistors into an IC header. If you're looking for a sub to just reproduce explosions, look elsewhere. This sub is intended for reproducing very low musical notes and it does that as well as anything I've ever heard.

Unlike so many new subs that are rapped in cloth or painter black, this is Beautiful piece of furniture, beautiful real wood. It really isn't that big, MAYBE 1/3 bigger than a new, quality, small 15" sub. The separate amp with nice big level adjust right on front looks cool and is easy to set the level.

NONE

Got a steal on this, paid $100 and a couple hours of labor (wiring stereo equipment) for this, a Yamaha RX-V995, Adcom GFA-545 and more :) anyway, onto the review. Best sub I have ever heard/used. Fantastic for Surround sound - Literally shakes the walls. Very musical also.

Similar Products Used:

Definitive Technology, Athena, Adcom, "Bi-Amp", Rotel, P.S. Audio, Audio Control

extension, clarity, 'tightness'

no parts available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

Similar Products Used:

Energy, Klipsch

low frequency extension, clarity, detail, musicality

no parts availability

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

bass extension, control, musicality

unfortunately parts are no longer available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch, Energy; Electronics: Acurus, Denon

bass extension, control, musicality

unfortunately parts are no longer available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

low frequency extension, control, musicality

parts no longer available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

low frequency extension, control, musicality

parts no longer available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

low frequency extension, control, musicality

parts no longer available

I have owned the Series II ULD15 since day one, purchasing it in the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to come across another one last year in superb shape and have both on a 2 channel system. I have had zero dry rot on the surrounds, but I keep them clean (a little Pledge every few years) and in a clean dry environment. Not sure why some units have that issue, but environment must have an effect.
I listen to fusion, rock, electronic, new age, classical and pipe organ music. All are reproduced with grace and power. One sub is great but two together (with the 6 dB bump) is jaw dropping. In this set up I have the volume set at about 11 O'Clock so they are idling, yet together deliver strong bass. I have them matched with two Energy Veritas 2.2i and it is a phenomenal presentation for all genres. The blend to the monitors is very smooth (~85Hz) and the low frequency extension seems limitless... I mean, there is no note that the system will not reproduce with detail clarity and musical quality. The pipe organ notes are room-shuddering, and a physical sensation. [Other subs I have that also do this are the highest end Klipsch] If you have not heard a real pipe organ you're missing out, but the vintage Velos capture a lot of that experience. There is something special about the highly damped ULD15, even over the ULD18. It delivers such a rich yet tight sound, I think it is truly unique in the world of subwoofers, and is a modern classic. It does not come across as loud, but that may be because it keeps the distortion down. Infra-bass, the true term for ultra deep bass, is the 'power' of music. When it is clean you forget you are listening to a hi-fi system, and get lost in the music, as you should. love it love it love it.
If you can find one in good operating condition, grab it.

Great build, Strong subtle sound.

They stopped making them.

I have a ULD15 that I use wilth my A/D/S L1290's. I am using McIntosh MC275 (low) and a McIntosh(high) 240 tube amps to bi-amp the a/d/s. The ULD15 is a great match and fills the bottom end perfectly.

I also have ULD18 in my stand alone theater with all McIntosh equipment, again it is wonderful in this installaton. Stongly recomend the ULD series over some of the new subs that I have heard. For the money ($500 to $850) used they are a great value.
I have take the units to the factory and they have been most helpful in keeping them in order.

Customer Service

Stong support. I purchased both units used and took them to the factory and they check them out and brought to specks for a nominal charge.

Similar Products Used:

a/d/s