Phase Technology Velocity V-10, Velocity V-6, V-Surround, Velocity V-Surround, Velocity HV-1000 Specifications
SEEN IN April 2004
DVDETC
magazine
•
PHASE TECHNOLOGY
VELOCITY V-10
“The V-10 speaker system is one of the best overall sounding systems I have had the pleasure of listening to at any price.”
The V-10 speaker ensemble includes two V-10 towers, a
V-6 center channel, two V-Surrounds, and a HV-1000 sub.
Phase Technology Corporation with the main
goal of building high performance loudspeakers. The company produces numerous lines
of speakers to fit nearly every application and
budget. The newest generation of Phase
Technology high fidelity performance speakers is the Velocity series. Named for its streamlined stylized shape and mind-bending accurate
performance, this versatile new series includes bookshelf, floor-standing and surround
speakers, as well as powered subwoofers.
The highly defined, powerful, performanceoriented Velocity V-10 Premier System delivers great music and movie excitement at an
affordable price. The V-10 boasts a pair of
two-way V-10 tower speakers at the front, a V6 center channel, a pair of V-Surround sound
speakers and a powerful 250-watt subwoofer
with a 10-inch driver. The Velocity V-10 has
sleek lines and a contemporary design combined with proprietary technologies to produce
unrivaled acoustic performance. The patented
soft dome tweeters are well matched to the
woofers in each speaker, which are designed
for extra long throw and use Phase
Technology’s proprietary VDT cones. The injection-molded polypropylene cones have an
If you’re new to home theater, you
probably don’t understand much of
the technical jargon included in many
equipment reviews. Special features
need to be explained in layman’s
terms so you will understand. To even
consider buying new equipment
that will cause a strain on your
budget, you need proof positive
why it’s so essential to enhance your
movie and music collection.
can give the technical figures on home
theater systems and even do comprehensive testing with expensive equipment in a
I
laboratory under ideal conditions. But what
good is information about laboratory testing
and ideal conditions? The bottom line concerning audio and video equipment is how it
performs in a living room with a sofa, recliner,
carpeting and odd shaped walls. My living room
is my laboratory and technical specifications include how movies and music sound and feel.
Unique Features
Bill Hecht, founder and chairman of Phase
Technology, started building loudspeakers in
1955 and pioneered early speaker technology
with patented designs including the widely used
soft dome tweeter. In 1978, Bill created the
ultra-light layer of Vapor Deposited Titanium
for a smooth and extended midrange response,
while the long throw design allows the Velocity
system to play at high volume levels for extended periods without compressing or breaking up. The one-piece Uniframe speaker
basket/baffle assembly forms one of several
rigid layers that essentially eliminate the transmission of vibration. The High-Velocity subwoofer matched to the V-10 system features a
mica/graphite polypropylene driver, which is
extremely rigid yet light enough to produce responsive and accurate floor-shaking bass. The
powered sub’s amplifier is servo-controlled to
digitally adjust output for dynamic, undistorted
bass, a gain control, phase switch and variable
crossover control are rear mounted above hilevel input binding posts, low-level intercon-
SEEN IN April 2004
DVDETC
magazine
•
PHASE TECHNOLOGY VELOCITY V-10
nects, and a separate LFE input. The Velocity
V-10 tower speakers and V-6 center channel
have paintable metal grilles to match any décor and come in two cabinet finishes: Sun Maple
and Black Rosewood laminate.
Installation/Setup/Ease of Use
The fashionable good looks allow the V-10 system to blend in nicely with virtually any setting.
The tower speakers flanked my Mitsubishi
rear projection HDTV quite nicely. They come
with small stands that can be fitted with floor
spikes for an added protection from resonance.
My best option for placement of the center
channel was high on top of my Mitsubishi since
there is no way to mount it below the screen.
The V-6 center channel can be positioned either upright or on its side, so I chose to place
it on its side and angled it slightly downward
toward the listening position.
The V-Surround speakers have a small
bracket on the back of each unit for wall mounting and a two-way bipolar/dipolar switch to
change the speaker characteristics. I found my
best results came from simply setting the surrounds on shelves in each rear corner of my
room and selecting the dipolar option. This provided a more ambient sound.
The HV-1000 powered subwoofer performed ideally in a corner of the room. I used
Monster Cable THX audio interconnects to attach my receiver to the sub’s line level inputs
to measure the crossover performance. An alternative to this method is bypassing the
crossover by joining the two components with
a cable to the Low Frequency Effect (LFE) input. Once everything was set up, I whipped
out my stack of reference material.
Final Take
I tested the V-10 ensemble with Toy Story 2
through a V-903 DVD player. The opening
scene of Buzz Lightyear rocketing through the
universe puts surround sound systems through
their paces. The V-10 speakers were accurate
with a detailed top end. Lows were deep and
impressive with thunderous jets emanating from
the sub, but with a bit too much depth. I made
some minor adjustments to tone down the
slightly muddy effects. By switching the phase
of the subwoofer 180 degrees, the output
changed relative to the front speakers. This
change, along with bass level and crossover fre-
quency adjustments, improved the middle
ground to near perfection. The array gave a vigorous audio representation during playback of
a DTS test disc. During a battle scene in Pirates
of the Caribbean, not only were explosions impressively forceful, but the sound of wood splintering and ropes creaking were well embodied.
During X2, dialogue was solid, ubiquitous and
natural. The roaring of jet engines coupled with
tornado activity sounded clean with dynamic
special effect sounds. With each movie, the clarity at all listening levels (from soft and faint to
loud and obnoxious) was awe-inspiring.
Moving around the room with other speakers
often yields a problematic off-axis response.
But not with the V-10 ensemble. I was able to
stand up and move about and even change
seating positions without any noticeable change
in soundstage thanks to the Absolute Phase
Crossover. It’s simply amazing.
Switching gears to music playback, I first selected Shania Twain’s The Woman In Me.
Female vocals are the hardest to reproduce accurately, so I knew this would give a true test
of the V-10’s capabilities. On “Any Man of Mine”,
Shania’s vocals were negligibly harsh, but the
midrange complimented the energetic bass often discounted in country music. On “(If You’re
Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!”, the guitar
sounded clear and lucid. Transients were precise and ever-present at all volume levels.
Listening to David Sanborn wail on his saxophone is a pleasure unto itself. Since the days
of 8-track tapes I have studied every note on
his album Hideaway. On “Lisa”, Sanborn plays
a wide range of octaves during his performance. The Velocity speakers did a great job with
the woodwind instrument. The horn bellowed
prominently without distorting and reed action was even discernable. I continued the jazz
theme with Al Jarreau’s Breakin’ Away album.
His distinct vocals sounded full and rich with a
booming bottom end. After listening to a few
more discs, I had reached my verdict.
The V-10 speaker system is one of the best
overall sounding systems I have had the pleasure of listening to at any price. The exceptional performance at all listening levels with
varied media proved to be unrivaled. The system’s performance is refined and dazzling. Add
to this a good-looking, elegant exterior and you
have a real winner. The Velocity V-10 system
would be a bargain at three times the price,
but taking into account the affordability Phase
Technology represents here, this system is an
unbeatable value.
— By Tim Tepas
Rating
98
Phase Technology Velocity V-10 Premier System
V-10 Tower Speakers
1” soft dome tweeter / 7” VDT driver
35Hz-20kHz frequency response
8 ohms impedance
15-150 watts recommended power
Dimensions: 40.5”H x 8.5”W x 12”D
Weight: 36 lbs. each
V-6 Center Channel
1” soft dome tweeter
5.25”VDT driver / 5.25” bass radiator
56Hz-20kHz frequency response
8 ohms impedance
15-120 watts recommended power
Dimensions: 18”H x 7”W x 8.75”D
Weight: 12 lbs.
V-Surround Speakers
(2) 1” soft dome tweeters / 5.25” VDT driver
70Hz-20kHz frequency response
8 ohms impedance
15-120 watts recommended power
Dimensions: 9”H x 11.75”W x 4.75”D
Weight: 10 lbs. each
HV-1000 Subwoofer
10” mica/graphite polypropylene driver
250-watt amplifier
29Hz-110Hz frequency response
0-180 degree phase switch
24dB octave variable low pass crossover slow
Dimensions: 17”H x 11.75”W x 16”D
Weight: 28 lbs.
10-year warranty / 3-year amplifier warranty
MSRP: $1,925
Phase Technology
888-PHASE TK
www.phasetech.com
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