Velodyne ULD-12 User manual

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Velodyne
OWNER'S MANUAL
ULD-12
Subwoofer System

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
C::Ol'1,Ilf'nm to qualified service personnel.
The lightning
flash with arrowhead within an equilateraltrfangle. is. intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosurethat may be ofsufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
The exclamation
point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
1. Read Instructions -All the safety and operating shouldbe read before the appliance is operated.
2. Retain Instructions-The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings -All warnings on the appliance the operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions -All and use instructions should be followed.
5. Water and MOisture The should not be used nearwater -for near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen
sink, laundry in a wet basement, or near a swimming and the like.
6. Carts and Stands The appliance should be used only with a cart orstand that is recommended the manufacturer.
7. Wall or Ceiling -The appliance should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the
manufacturer.
8. VentHation- The should be situated so that its location orposition does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
9.
For example, the appliance should not be situated ana rug, orsimilar surface that may bloCk the ventilation
openings; or, in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow ofair through the
ventilation ,,,.,,::.n,,,,.,,,,
""nr\Ii:t'~"'Q should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
heat
10. PowerSources -The be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the appliance.
11 Power-Cord -Power-supply cords should be routed so thatthey are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
placed upon or paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, thepOint
where they exit from the appliance.
should be cleaned as recommended the manufacturer.
13. Nonuse -The power cord of the should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long
period oftime.
14. Object and Liquid Entry-Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure
through openings.
15. Requiring Service -The appliance should be serviced by qualified
service personnel when:
a. The cord
or the has been damaged; or
b. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or
c. The appliance has been to rain; or
d. The appliance does not'appear to operate normally orexhibits a marked change
in performance; or
e, The appliance has been dropped, orthe enclosure darnacled
16. Servicing -The user should notattempt to service the appliancebeyond that described in operating instructions.
All other servicing should be referr~ to qualified service personnel. •

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For Your Records:
Serial
Date of Purchase __________ _
Name of
OWNER'S MANUAL
VELODYNE ULD·12 SUBWOOFER SYSTEM
Congratulations on your purchase of a Velodyne ULD~ 12 Subwoofer System. This system represents the state of
the art in accurate bass reproduction. Read and fOllow the instructions below to insure safe and proper system
operation. Save this manual for future reference.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this equipment to rain or
moisture. To avoid electrical shock do not open speaker enclosure or amp chassis
cover. Please observe a1l warnings on the eqUipment itself. There are no user
serviceable parts inside. Please refer all service questions 10 your authorized
Velodyne dealer.
Prior to installation: Please unpack the system carefully. Remove all used to the carton as they can
scratch the cabinet. Please save the carton and all packaging for future use. Record the serial number
in the space provided above and both locations on the warranty card for future reference.
INSTALLATION
Your new ULD-12 subwoofer system provides for a number installation ,..,.,1',"1",,,,
option is best
and stereo inputs. Use the IN jacks when
,hIJlJnn,forto a pre-amp, processor,or crossover. The jacks
connect directly to the outputs of your integrated amplifier or receiver. <:>I"nl,,,,.,,,,r C'",,.,t,,,,,,, will notice no
aOC1ItICma InJ::U1,nf1 effects when you use inputs of their high .nu .... "''''
not use both and speaker jacks simultaneously.
Crossover. Because your satellite speakers cannot reproduce bass as accurately as the ULD~ 12,
optimum system performance is attained by rolling off the low end response of your satellites. The ULD-12 is
equipped with a high pass crossover for this purpose. To use the crossover, simply drive your power amplifier or
satellites from the ULO-12's outputs.
Interconnection Cables. When installing your ULO-12 using and (as in
Figure 1) run the same quality speaker cable to your subwoofer as you do to your satellites. If the speaker level
cables to your ULO-12 will not be driving any satellites, then a medium «Zip cord" is sufficient to supply the
subwoofer alone.
Une level cables should be standard shielded phono cables. Always keep leads between your pre~amp and
power amplifier as short as possible.
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INSTALLATION OF ULO-12 USING FROM AMPLIFIER INPUTS
Figure 1 shows how to connect your ULD-12 to a receiver or integrated amplifier. When using the speaker
level terminals, note the right and left channel designations above the terminals. Red speaker jacks are positive,
black speaker jacks are negative (common).
SATELLITE SPEAKERS
AMPLIFIER OR RECIEVER
RIGHT LEFT
R L + - + -
Une level
Use One Only Speaker Level
Velodyne Acoustics
San Jose, CA
Right
Left
In In
@ @
© @
Out Out
Right
Left
Mono
In
@
Out
ULD·12
+
In
Made in U.S.A.
Out
NOTE: RED TERMINALS ARE
POSITIVE, BLACK
TERMINALS ARE NEGATIVE
Left
+
In
To ULD-12
'--------------- Speaker Cabinet
Figure 1: Installation Using FROM AMPLIFIER Inputs
Caution: To avoid damage to your main amplifier be sure to make aU speaker
connections
from RED (positive) to RED and from BLACK (negative) to BLACK. Be
sure that all connections are tight, and thatthere are no loose strands or frayed wires.
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Out

• INSTALLATION OF ULD-12 USING LINE INPUTS
Figure 2 shows how to install your UlO-12 between apre-amplifier and power amplifier. If you are connecting
to the monaural subwoofer output of a surround sound decoder, then run a single phono cable from the decoder's
sub out to the MONO IN jack on the UlO-12 controller. leave the unused input and both outputs disconnected.
SATELLITE SPEAKERS
RIGHT LEFT
PRE-AMPLIFIER
POWER AMPLIFIER
MAIN OUTPUTS R L
LGO
L-0
+ - + -
RQ
0
RQ
I I I I I I I
line Level
....
Use One Only
....
Speaker Level Velodyne Acoustics
Right
left Mono San Jose, CA
In In In Right
left
® @ + --+ + - - +
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
~
~ In
Made in U.S.A.
Out
In
Out
ut
Right
left
ULO-12
NOTE: RED TERMINALSARE
POSITIVE, BLACK
TERMINALS ARE NEGATIVE
To ULO-12
S eaker Cabinet
p
Figure 2: Installation Using LINE Inputs
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PLACEMENT
The ULD .. 12 operates primarily atfrequencles below 85 Hz. These frequencies are essentially non-directional
such that you may place subwoofer almost anywhere without degrading the stereo imaging characteristics of
your.main speakers,
When using apair ULD-12s in stereo, it may be preferable to place each subwoofer adjacent to the satellite
of the same channeL
Keep;n mind thatfrequency response and output level can be greatly influenced by placement, depending on
acoustic properties afthe listening room. Typically the· ULD-12 will sound louder next to a wall or in a carner.
Caution: The ULD-12 amplifier is built intathe woafercabinet. Do not place
cabinet nextto sources heat such as furnace registers, etc. The power cord
should be routed in such a way that it will not be walked on, pinched, or com-
pressed.
CONTROLS
The controlpanel on your ULD-12 includes a power switch, a power-on indicatorlamp,anda level control.
Thesubwooferlevel cpntrolknob is used to adjust the volume level afbass information in relation to the
mll'll'~rll'lt:! and treble frequencies. We recommend that you beginlisteningwith the level setatthepointmidway
between MAXIMUM (fully clockwise} and MINIMUM (fully counter-clockwise). Play several selections of music
and varythe subwoofer level until the bass matches the· rnids and highs to youfsatisfaction. Once you set
the subwoofer level, you simply use your system's main volume control and the bass proportion will remain
consistent.
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CARE OF YOUR SUBWOOFER
We recommend using a clean damp cloth for cleaning the cabinet. Never use detergents or abrasives on your
ULD-12.
The ULD-12 may be left on continuously without fear of long-term adverse effects. We do recommend that
you turn off the unit during extended periods of nonuse.
PROTECTION CIRCUITRY
Your ULD-12 is equipped with a special druitdesigned to protect the unit from damage. Either of the two con-
ditions below will power the unit down and keep it off for 5 seconds atter the fault is corrected.
1) If there is a significant drop in the line voltage.
2) If there is an input signal which momentarily exceeds the dynamic range of the unit.
TROUBLESHOOTING I SERVICE
Before seeking service for your ULD-12, please re-check all system and power connections. Also consider
theprotection circuit described above;
you may only need to turn the volume down slightly.
if you determine that your unit requires service, then please contact your local Velodyne dealer.
The following conditions always require service by qualified personnel:
1) If the power cord or speaker connecting cable is damaged
2) If the unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance
3) If the unit has been exposed to water
VELODYNE HGS SYSTEM
Velodyne's prime focus is in providing low distortion loudspeaker systems that impress the dedicated audio-
phile as welf as the casual listener. Velodyne developed its patented High Gain Servo (HGS) system to bring
nonlinear distortion down
to unprecedented levels on its ULD-15 and ULD-18 high performance subwoofers. Your
new ULO-12 uses this same HGS technology to reproduce the music you enjoy without the excessive nonlinear
distoritons that plague conventional loudspeaker designs.
The Problem of Distortion
Nonlinear distortion is defined as any form of distortion that moves energy from one portion of the audio
frequency spectrum to another. When a single tone is applied to a nonlinear system, the result is harmonic
distortion,
in which some of the energy leaves the system at integer multiples of the original input frequency_
When multiple tones are applied to the same system, intermodulation tones are produced, usually as simple
combinations of
the input frequencies, Le., sums and differences of integer multiples of the applied tones. In
general, 3% nonlinear distortion is considered a reasonably small amount. This means that 3% of the total energy
leaving a loudspeaker is at frequencies other than the intended pure tone applied to the input. Our tests, however,
indicate that about 0.5% nonlinear distortion at normal listening levels must be achieved before the average
listener is truly affected by an improvement in bass response.
In the reproduction of deep bass n01es, loudspeakers suffer from a "double-whammy" when it comes to
nonlinear distortion. First, most loudspeakers have much more than even 3% THO (Total Harmonic Distortion) at
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lowfrequeneies.Even at i watt drive levels, man.y loudspeakers haveS to 10%THDat40Hz. With the 50 watt
drive levels needed to produce realistic bass intensity,these distortion figures rise to astonishing levels. Second,
the distortionproducts produced byanonlinearwoofer aremuch easierto hear than is thefundamental.fre-
queney. Consider aspeakerdriven at 30 Hz with 5% Srdharmonic distortion. If the 30 Hz tone is 90 dB SPL
(Sound Pressure Level), equating to aboutSwatts intOa.typicaf woofer,the Srd harmonic; at 90 HZ,would be
down 26dB,.or at64 dB SPL. However,humansare more than 10 times as sensitive to sound at90 Hz than at 30
Hz. Thehonlineardistortion produced by a woofer must be weighted by the sensitivity functionofthehuman ear.
When this is done,itbecomes clear that even asmall percentage of harmonic distortion is unacceptable in a bass
driver .. ltis·alsoclearthat high-order (3rd,.4th, 5th, etc.) harmonic distortion products are more seriousthan·are
2nd harmonic distortion products. These stUdies have . led to the conclusion that 0.5% Is the maximum tolerable
amountofnonlil1ear distortion for a bass driver, andthe Jess distortion the driver produces, the more capable it is
of accurately reproducing live sounds.
Since most woofers today have at least 10% THD when 0.5'% Is the maximum tolerated, minor improvements
in woofer technology are essentially ineffective. Servo Series Subwoofers have about 90 times less nonlinearity
thana typical 10inch bookshelf speaker. They have about S times less distortion due to their greater size and
power handling capability, and about 30 times less distortion due to the Servo feedback loop. The improvement is
evengreaterifoneconsidersexceptionally.loudan(j deep tones such as organ pedal notes.
An interesting result ofthis reduced distortion isthatrnuch of the bass, when played over a servo Series
Subwoofer, seems to actuallybe reduced. The truth, of course, is that the "missing" bass was neverreally there
on the source material. and was never intended to be played by the artist. Distortion products introduced by
conventional woofers actually make the entire bass spectrum sound louder.
Our Solution
The Velodyne Servo Series Subwoofer System produces sound in the same manner as any conventional
loudspeaker: acone-shaped piston is forced to mOve by means ofaHnearmotorcomposedof a coli situated
between the poles of a very strong permanent magnet In the Servo Series,however, this linear motor is a servo-
motor, meaning thatthe motor is linked to the power amplifier as part of a control system. The basis torthe control
actionis the signal obtained. from an accelerometer which is rigidly fastened to the. voice coiL The strategy of
continuously monitoring the cone motion, and using this information as the basis for the corrective action, is called
motional feedback. This feedback technique is illustrated in the system block diagram, Figure 4.
The signal into the system is a time varying voltagewhichisan exact analog ofthe desired acoustic output
from thetoudspeaker. The accelerometer output contains suffioientinformation to deduce the actual acoustical
output oHhe woofer. The servo circuitry compares almost instantaneously how well the acoustic output matches
the command signal coming in. If and when there is a deviation, the servo circuitry modifies the drive signal to the
amplifier so thatthe acoustic output from the speaker is a true representation of the input.
In conventional loudspeakers, the drive signal into the speaker is virtually free from distortion butthe
speaker's acoustical outputmay nehighly
distorted. In Servo Series Subwoofers, the speaker coil drive signal is
often highly distorted,oractually pre-distorted,inexactly such a way thatthe acousticalotJtput from the speaker is
free from distortion. Motional feedback has been used prevfously in an attempt to make small woofers sound like
larger,more powerful ones. At Velodyne,the use of motional feedback is applied to make what is already a large
and powerful woofer achieve a level of performance that has never before been reached in a home entertainment
product.
HGS System Components
High and Low Pass Crossovers receive the incoming audio Signals from your system pre-amp or power amp.
Frequencies above 85 Hz are diverted to your power amplifier while frequencies from the right and left channels
below Hz, are summed to monaural and passed on to subsequent stages in the subwoofer.
loop/ControlStage. Incoming bass signals pass through avariable gain amplification stage designed to protect
the subwoofer fromneingoverdriven (see Supporting Circuits below). With a bit of added filtering, the bass signal
is now ready to be compared with the feedback signal of the accelerometer. A composite signal is created which
compensates for erroneous movement of the cone.
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INPUT FROM
HO$T$YSTEM
PRE-AMPLIFIER
~
HIGH-AND
LOW- PASS
CROSSOVERS
+
HIGH-PASS OUTPUT
TO HOST SYSTEM
POWER AMPLIFIER
OR SPEAKERS
LOOP! CONTROL
FEEDBACK SIGNAL
CUSTOM DRIVER
ACCELEROMETER
AND AMPLIFIER
Figure 4: Servo Series System Block Diagram
Power Amplifier. The ULD-12 amplifier must provide power for distortion correction as well as basic music Ai
reproduction. .rJ
Custom Drivel'. Although our HGS electronics play the most important role in reducing distortion, Servo
Series driver must carefully engineered and constructed so
as not to undo the work that the HGS electronics
done. A large magnet and are used
to sensitivity, the cone is specifically shaped to
reduce resonances, and ventilation holes are to eliminate whistling often with
operation for low frequencies
at listenable
system, the accelerometer measures the
means an onboard charge and
"'U~""IC:U
VELODYNE, ULD-12, ULD-15, and ULD 18
are registered trademarks of Velodyne Acoustics, Inc.
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc.
1070 Commercial Street, Suite 101
San Jose Ca., 95112
[phone]
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VELOOYNEULD .. 12™
SUBWOOFERSVSTEM·SPECIFICATIONS
Type:
Power:
Stereo Input:
Diameter:
Linear travel:
Voice Coil:
Magnet:
Cone:
Accelerometer:
Amplifier
Integrated Class B.
100 watts continuous RMS, 400 watts peak
Line level
sensitivity- 100 mV 11 OK nominal
Speaker level sensitivity -1 voltnominal
Driver
12 inches
9116" peak to peak
Copper;
2W' Diameter, 1.1" Length
560z,
Resin impregnated fiber
Piezo with integral amplifier
Crossover
High Pass: Passive. 85 Hz nominal. edB per octave
Low Pass: Active, 85Hz, 12 dB per octave
Finish:
Dimensions:
Weight:
SelVo Loop Gain:
Servo Loop Feedback Rate:
Maximum Distortlon{25 Hz @.104dB):
Frequency Response:
Driver Resonant Frequency:
Damping Factor:
Protection:
Warranty:
Cabinet
Oak, Walnut Veneer -Black
(L) 221M', (W) 17", (H) 18 W'
491bs.
Servo
26 dB
3500 corrections per second
<:.5%
20 Hz low,85 high
<:4 Hz
>1000
Low Voltage, Excessive Signal
2 years
Specifications aresubject to change without notice.