Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Need some Advise

My system:
861V4.2 Processor & 598 DVD
Aerial 9s and CC5 w/ Rowland 501 monos
Dali onwalls w/ Rowland 102

I'm a movie nut but a fanatic about music and I listen from everything to Earth, wind and fire to Zepplin to Bach.

I'm wanting to go to a double sub and am looking at a pair of Aerial SW12s or a pair of Velodyne DD-12s. I'd like to gather some expert opinions. So please weigh in if you have experience with these.

I use Aerial SW12's. One in the front and one in the back of the room. Excellent subs! I have a party every year for the Daytona NASCAR race and there are so many people in the room that I end up sitting on one of my SW12's in the back of the room. I can't even tell that its on when the subs come alive. My crossover is set to 80Hz and I can not localize these subs even standing right next to them.

I used to have a Velodyne sub. ULD15! You can't go wrong with Velodyne subs. They will play lower than the Aerial SW12. The Aerial is ported and rolls off below the port frequency. Don't get me wrong the Aerial still extends pretty low but I remember having good output with my ULD15 even at 8-10Hz. The Aerials will not extend down that low. Bach organ music was awesome with my ULD15. I have Aerial 10T's and a CC3 with Bryston monos up front.

I think you will be happy with either of these subs. If I were to start over now I think I would go for the Velodyne and save a little cash. Plus the new DD subs have auto room frequency correction. The servo feedback to reduce distortion offers nice tight clean bass too.

Ron

Thanks. I hear the Aerial is better for music and the velodyne for theater? true?

Well I guess you could say that because the Aerial is hard to localize in a room it sounds better with music. It also has damping adjustments. But my old ULD15 sounded damn good too. I changed because I believed what I was told...Aerial is better for music. Like I said you will be happy with either. The DD12's have a lot to offer with room correction. The Aerial has a manual single parametric equalizer that does help with one room resonant frequency. But thats all.

It's up to you...I love my SW12's but I loved my old Velodyne too. The SW12 will sound awesome for theater too. Especially with two subs!

Ron

Is the Velo ported or sealed box? The Aerial will make some port noise when the frequencies get real low and the volume loud. I do not have experience with the newer Velos but I always admired them and still do. I had an SW12 for some time in a previous system and I really enjoyed it. IMHO, you can't go wrong so it will probably come down to styling, price, hook up options. I think the new velo DDs have an easier to set parametric eq and also don't they have some elementary form of RC? That might be the differentiating factor. Maybe you stick with the SW12 to keep it "in the family"? Just some rambling thoughts.

best regards,
Jerry

The DD12 is sealed box thus the low frequency extension. I've had my SW12's for several years now and I've never heard any noise from the port.

My feelings are still the same as Jerry. The DD series has a lot to offer for the money and to stay in the Aerial family the SW12 is a nice looking sub. It is tall and large though. The DD12 will be smaller.

Ron

Another option would be SW12(s) with a Velodyne SMS-1 to add the equalization functionality.

Cheers, Ian

Theres a new idea! keep them coming

Decided to go velodyne! Thanks guys

Will 2 dd12s do the job for a 20 X 15 ft room with 10ft ceilings? I went to the 12 for a little extra speed per my dealer.

I would think they would hit real hard with a total of 24". Can do the DD15 but thought it would be overkill.

caveat my response: I've only sampled Velodyne, but use Meridian sub -

But I have a similar size room and have used both 1 and 2 sub configurations; My vote would be in favor of the 2 dd12s; I think the 15s would be too much, given the musical nature of your use pattern. Faster reactive times are more critical... and 2 12s will be more than enough air moving power; I presently use 1 dual driver and can move the room with it when required...!

ken

Thanks. Speed is really important. The rowland 501s have a slew rate of well over 1000. Yes they will sound very analytical with the wrong speakers. Great on Aerials!!

Next item to get some full range rear speakers to match up with the Aerials!!! Humm maybe I should add another dd12 in the rear also...

Thanks gents!

You should use the two your getting setup as one in the front and one in the back of the room. Your Aerials play low any way. My 10T's play flat down to 20 Hz in my room. They sound like subs. You'll get the best setup using 4 subs from what I'm told. I read some where that two subs is better than one and three but four subs is the best with cancelling resonant frequencies in a room.

Ron