Velodyne Optimum User Manual
USER’S MANUAL
High Output Digital EQ Subwoofer
Optimum-8
Optimum-10
Optimum-12
SERIES
Enjoy.
Thank you for choosing a Velodyne. Our passion for high
performance, low-distortion bass is the driving force behind
our worldwide reputation in audio and technical innovation.
We are pleased to bring the Velodyne sound experience
to your home.
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Optimum Series User’s Manual - i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Congratulations ........................................................ 1
Installation ............................................................3
Front Panel Features ....................................................5
Rear Panel Connections ................................................. 7
Rear Panel Connections - Detailed Explanation ...............................9
Interconnect Cables ...................................................10
Usage ..............................................................11
Care of Your Subwoofer ................................................15
Troubleshooting and Service .............................................15
Specications ........................................................16
Velodyne Products .................................................... 18
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Optimum Series User’s Manual - ii
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations on your purchase of a Velodyne Optimum subwoofer. This system represents the state-ofthe-art in low frequency reproduction. Please, read and follow the instructions belowto insure safe and proper
system operation.
Warning!
To prevent re 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 all warnings on the equipment itself. There
are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all service questions to your authorized Velodyne dealer.
Prior to Installation
Please unpack the system carefully. Please save the carton and all packaging materials for future use. Record
the serial number in the space provided on page 17 of this manual for future reference.
PRODUCT FEATURES
• DSP-Controlled
• 4 selectable preset modes for customized listening
• Automatic 7-band room equalizer with microphone included
• Night-mode setting
• Mute control
• Woofer
- 8” (6.5” piston diameter) subwoofer with 2.5” high-temp voice coil and
107 ounce magnet/204 ounce motor structure (Optimum-8)
- 10” (8” piston diameter) subwoofer with 3” voice coil and 162 ounce magnet/
346 ounce motor structure (Optimum-10)
- 12” (9.7” piston diameter) subwoofer with 3” voice coil and 162 ounce magnet/
346 ounce motor structure (Optimum-12)
• Built-in 2400 watts Dynamic/1200 watts RMS high eciency Class D amplier
• Adjustable (40 to 135 Hz) low-pass crossover (defeatable)
• Line-level (RCA) inputs and outputs
• Speaker-level inputs with ve way binding post connections
• Signal sensing auto turn on/o (defeatable)
• Variable volume control
• Selectable phase control (0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees)
• Overall frequency response of 16-240 Hz (Optimum-8), 13-240 Hz (Optimum-10), 13-240 Hz (Optimum-12),
• Magnetically shielded for video use (Optimum-10 and Optimum-12)
• Multiple staggered low-pass crossovers; 12 dB/octave initial, 48 dB/octave ultimate
• Driver Displacement Control circuit to prevent over excursion and amp clipping
• Blue level indicator LED
• High-excursion EPDM rubber surround
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Optimum Series User’s Manual - 1
Prepare for Installation
Your new Velodyne subwoofer provides for a number of installation options. Read all of the installation information
below in order to determine which installation option is best for your system. Remember to perform all
installation procedures with system power turned o to prevent possible damage.
Placement
The rst step in installing your new Optimum sub is to determine where it will be placed in the room. Unpack the
system carefully and use the following guidelines in order to nd the best room placement option.
True subwoofers operate at extremely low frequencies which are primarily omni-directional. Keep in mind that
frequency response and output level can be drastically inuenced by placement, depending on the acoustic
properties of the listening room. To obtain the best output from your subwoofer, try placing it within a foot of a
corner. This location will oer the greatest output levels and maximize low frequency extension. If at all possible,
your subwoofer should be placed along a wall. The worst location for a subwoofer is typically far away from any
walls and close to the center of your room. Avoid these locations when possible. When using a pair of Velodyne
subwoofers in stereo, it is preferable to feed each subwoofer with one channel and place each subwoofer near
the satellite of the same channel.
Depending on the size and type of furnishings in the room, perfect placement may not be possible. Finding the
best location within your environment will likely require some experimentation. We suggest you experiment with
the location during setup to nd what sounds best to you when seated in your typical listening position.
Regardless of where you install your Velodyne subwoofer, it must remain in an upright position (woofer facing
forward). Using, shipping or storing the subwoofer in any other position for an extended period of time may
result in damage to the unit not covered by warranty.
Caution!
This subwoofer has electronics built into the cabinet. Do not place the cabinet next to sources of heat such as
furnace registers, radiators, etc. Do not place the unit near sources of excessive moisture such as evaporative
coolers, humidiers, etc. The power cord should be routed in such a way that it will not be walked on, pinched
or compressed in any way that could result in damage to the insulation or wire.
Although the Velodyne Optimum-10 and the Optimum-12 are magnetically shielded, the Optimum-8 subwoofer
is NOT magnetically shielded. Should you nd it necessary to use it with an older CRT monitor or TV, keep it
at least two feet from the monitor. Experiment for correct distance by minimizing distortion of the picture and
colors.
2 - Optimum Series User’s Manual
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INSTALLATION
Inputs
Your new subwoofer is equipped with speaker-level and line-level inputs. Use the LINE LEVEL jacks when
connecting your subwoofer to a pre-amp, signal processor (such as LFE out), linelevel crossover, or receiver
with pre-amp level outputs. When using the line level jacks, some receivers may not provide enough signal to
have the unit’s auto-on feature operate properly. Additionally, this lack of signal may also cause the subwoofer
to produce less output than it is capable of.
To alleviate this condition, we recommend the following steps:
1) If using line level jacks, BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT INPUT SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED – never use
just the left or just the right input. If using line level connections from a preamp or signal processor, use
both Left and Right inputs from your preprocessor or preamp and connect them to the Left and Right
inputs on your subwoofer.
2) If using a receiver with LFE out, be sure the LFE channel is sending adequate signal to the subwoofer. The
subwoofer’s default volume setting is 30 on a 1-80 scale (roughly 1/3 volume). Adjust the LFE channel on
your receiver or processor to achieve the desired bass output. See your receiver or processor’s owner’s
manual for more information.
Volume Control
This control allows you to balance the output from the subwoofer to the main speakers in your system. This
control should be set to achieve similar output levels from both the main speakers and subwoofer when listening
to music. The default volume setting is 30 on a 1-80 scale.
Warning:
Some manufacturers preset their receivers with the Sub-Out channel signal at a minimum level. It is very important
to verify that your receiver Sub-Out channel is set to the same output level as your front right and left channels.
Refer to your receiver manual for the individual channel level adjustment procedure. If your receiver Sub-Out
channel is set too low, the subwoofer may appear to have a weak output, it may sound noisy or distorted, and
the Auto On/Off feature may not operate properly.
Low-pass Crossover - 40 to 135 Hz
All inputs sum the left and right channels together, with the resulting signal passing through an adjustable
low-pass crossover before being amplied. The crossover control allows you to adjust the upper limit of the
subwoofer’s frequency response from 40 to 135 Hz. The subwoofer’s response will begin rolling o above the
frequency you set this control to. You should set the crossover frequency to obtain a smooth and seamless
transition from the subwoofer to the main speakers in your system. If your main speakers are smaller with limited
low frequency output, you may wish to choose a higher frequency (such as 100 - 120 Hz) than you would with
larger speakers which have greater low frequency output. The default crossover setting is 80 Hz. With larger
speakers, you may want to set this even lower, for example 70 Hz.
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Optimum Series User’s Manual - 3
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