International CES is still more than three months away, but we’re already beginning to get our first sneak peeks at some of the stuff we may end up seeing at the show. In the wake of its trip to CEDIA Expo 2014 in Denver, Velodyne, purveyor of top-shelf audio equipment, announced yesterday that it will “completely revamp” its Impact Series subwoofer with a brand-new design. The company has also slated its replacement of the Optimum/SPL Ultra subwoofers for a possible appearance at CES 2015.
Over the course of its history, Velodyne built a reputation around its extremely high-performance and top-dollar audiophile gear, though in recent years the California-based company has begun offering products designed and priced with a more average consumer in mind. The sub-$1,000Wi-Q subwoofer is one such piece of equipment that has grabbed the attention of home theater enthusiasts on a budget.
Velodyne informed us yesterday that it plans to overhaul its Impact line of subwoofers for a launch under the “Impact mkII” moniker. This new mkII series will include an updated amplifier, driver, and overall design. The company confirmed that it intends to unveil the updated series at CES 2015 in Las Vegas, January 6-9. Velodyne also revealed that it is currently developing a replacement for its Optimum/SPL Ultra subwoofers, with 8-, 10-, and 12-inch variants in the wings for a potential unveiling at CES 2015.
Lastly, Velodyne hinted that it could be planning to integrate the Wi-Connect system into more of its devices. The proprietary technology, which allows for virtually any subwoofer to be connected wirelessly, is half of the appeal of the company’s Wi-Q subwoofer line up, the other half being their ability to self-calibrate their built-in 5-band EQ. The wireless system is currently available ala carte for $150.
