Skip to main content

Velodyne’s Wi-Q brings the wireless rumble without busting your wallet

velodynes wi q brings wireless rumble without busting wallet subwoofer
Image used with permission by copyright holder
“The Smart Sub” made its debut early last month at the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas, and with the ability to sit up to 50 feet away from your entertainment system, a sub-$1000 price-point, and Velodyne’s signature power and plethora of features, the Wi-Q series looks hard to beat.

The series includes a 10-inch sub at $800 and a 12-inch at $900. Considering the company’s top-of-the-line subs go for upwards of $3300, these new additions will likely have the ears of home theater enthusiasts on a budget perking right up.

Recommended Videos

The new Wi-Q line is not Velodyne’s first or even least expensive wireless subwoofer offering, but it is certainly the most feature-rich and high performance-oriented. The sub comes with some of the company’s best tech, including an automatic EQ which  instantly tweaks the sub’s settings to optimally match any main speakers via an exclusive, built-in processor.

You’ll still need to set up the sub in a location where its power cable can reach an outlet, but other stand-alone subs (near the Wi-Q’s price-point) with “wireless” technology are in the same boat, and many of them aren’t natively wireless — they require (often expensive) add-on accessories to achieve the same level of freedom from the main speakers. 

Other notable features include Velodyne’s exclusive distortion-limiting system and dual-layer large copper voice coils, specifically matched with 7.40-lb. magnets for what we’re confident will be some hard hitting bass with plenty of finesse.

Velodyne’s Wi-Q line is available now, and you can find out more at the company’s site right here.

Alex Tretbar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…
My favorite Dolby Atmos songs from 2024 to add to your playlist
An iPhone 15 Pro Max on a wooden table displaying streaming apps Amazon Music, Qobuz, Apple Music, Tidal, Sonos, and Spotify.

I'll admit that as an audio reviewer, I have a tendency to listen to the same collection of songs whenever I review a pair of headphones. Even if they're a personal pair and I'm not reviewing them, I'll give a quick listen through snippets of four or five tracks to get a sense of things like frequency response, soundstage, and detail.

Why do I listen to the same songs? For one (or both) of two reasons: I've become intimately familiar with them over the years, or they've been recommended to me by other reviewers -- and in consequence, I've become intimately familiar with them over the years. But it's also good for the mind and the soul to keep things fresh, and with thousands upon thousands of songs being released every year, it's worth appreciating and adding new recordings to the mix.

Read more
How to cancel Philo
Philo on Vizio smart TVs.

These days there are more streaming services out there than you can shake a stick at. Philo is one of the best live-streaming options out there, delivering access to dozens of channels filled with the shows and movies you want to watch. However, not all streaming services and built equally. If you've decided to cancel your Philo subscription, then it's worth knowing how to get it done without any hassle.

Thankfully, Philo has made canceling the service easy. Along with an internet connection, you just need to remember where you signed up in order to cancel.

Read more
Get Sling for half off just before these three major NFL games
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

Whether you bond with family over it or need a break from the onslaught of family time, ‘Christmas Saturday’ is a legendary time to watch some football. There’s a great triple header of games being featured that day that include both Los Angeles teams, plus the New England Patriots, Bengals, Cardinals, and Broncos for you to watch that day. And where do we recommend you watch it? On Sling. Sling is a fantastic way to watch all of NFL football games, and this triple-header. Right now, Sling base packages are just $45.99 per month, but you can get your first month (just in time for Christmas Saturday) for half off. Then, add the NFL Network add-on for just $15 to ensure you get the Christmas Saturday football triple-header.

 
Why Sling Orange with NFL Network is your Christmas Saturday football solution
When you get ready to sign up for Sling to experience football, you’ll be presented with two choices right off the bat — Sling Blue and Sling Orange. Sling Blue is a fantastic choice if you’re all about entertainment and news (and it is $45.99, too, with a similar half off for the first month) but if you’re here for NFL games, NCAA games, and other sports entertainment, Sling Orange is probably what you crave. It has ESPN channels, Motortrend, and more to keep you up on sports and sports news.

Read more