By: Dipin Sehdev
Few names in audio carry the kind of legacy that Velodyne Acoustics does. For decades, Velodyne has been synonymous with one thing: subwoofers that redefine what bass can be. From the early 1980s through today, the brand has been a benchmark for deep, accurate, and room-filling low frequencies. Now, in 2025, Velodyne is taking a decisive step back into the American market by announcing Playback Distribution as its exclusive U.S. partner. The partnership will make its official debut at CEDIA Expo 2025 in Denver—a fitting stage for a brand aiming to remind integrators and enthusiasts why Velodyne remains one of the most respected subwoofer manufacturers in history.
A Legacy of Bass Innovation
Founded in 1983, Velodyne Acoustics built its reputation on designing subwoofers that could dig deeper, hit harder, and remain more musical than anything else available. For audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike, Velodyne became the reference point—whether that meant adding bone-shaking realism to an action film or grounding a two-channel system with tight, tuneful bass.
Velodyne’s innovations weren’t just about brute force. The company became one of the largest patent holders in the subwoofer category, developing technologies that paired analog expertise with emerging digital control. Automatic room correction, advanced servo technology, and precision DSP all became hallmarks of the Velodyne sound. The result was a lineup of products that were not only powerful but also refined, capable of delivering bass that could be both felt and heard with absolute clarity.
Under the leadership of Mansour Mamaghani, who took ownership in 2019, Velodyne has doubled down on its founding principles: precision, innovation, and musicality. The mission is clear—reclaim Velodyne’s rightful place at the center of the conversation about high-performance subwoofers.
CEDIA: The Right Stage for a U.S. Relaunch
To understand the importance of Velodyne’s announcement, it’s worth looking at the platform chosen for the reveal—CEDIA Expo 2025.
CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) Expo is the premier trade show for the custom integration industry. Every year, it brings together manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and integrators who design and install everything from home theaters and multiroom audio systems to smart home automation and security. For custom integrators, it’s the most important week of the year: a chance to see the latest technologies, connect with brands, and explore the future of connected living.
For Velodyne, choosing CEDIA as the venue for its return to the U.S. market is no accident. The expo is where serious home theater builders, audio enthusiasts, and technology leaders converge. It’s a place where products are not just displayed but experienced. And when your brand is built on the visceral, physical impact of bass, having a demo-ready environment is essential.
At CEDIA 2025, Velodyne will not only showcase its latest subwoofers and amplifiers but also reconnect with integrators who remember the brand’s dominance and introduce itself to a new generation of dealers who may only know Velodyne by reputation.
Playback Distribution: A Strategic Partner
Velodyne’s U.S. relaunch hinges on its new partnership with Playback Distribution, an organization with the infrastructure, expertise, and industry relationships needed to serve the custom installation (CI) channel.
The CI channel has always been central to Velodyne’s business in the United States. These are the professionals who specify, install, and calibrate systems for dedicated home theaters, media rooms, and multiroom audio systems. By partnering with Playback, Velodyne is ensuring that integrators not only have access to the products but also the support, logistics, and training they need to make Velodyne a centerpiece of their designs.
Playback’s role will extend far beyond shipping boxes. The distributor will:
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Support the CI Channel – Launching Velodyne’s SubContractor Series at CEDIA 2025 demonstrates a renewed commitment to custom installation. Playback’s dealer network and logistics systems are built to serve integrators reliably and efficiently.
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Provide Demonstration Access – Showrooms remain critical in the CI business, as customers often need to hear and feel a subwoofer before they understand its impact. Playback will work closely with dealers to ensure Velodyne products are available in demonstration environments.
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Create a U.S.-Focused Digital Hub – With the launch of velodyneusa.com, American customers will have a dedicated site for product discovery, warranty registration, dealer lookup, and technical support. This new platform will streamline the journey from curiosity to ownership.
“Velodyne Acoustics has earned royalty status in the subwoofer world, and we consider ourselves fortunate to be the ones welcoming the king back home,” said Rob Standley, President of Playback Distribution.
Product Highlights at CEDIA 2025
Velodyne isn’t just showing up at CEDIA with a handshake. The company plans to make a strong impression by debuting several products in the U.S. market:
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SubContractor Series – Purpose-built for the CI channel, this series offers integrators flexibility in design and installation while delivering the kind of performance that makes Velodyne legendary.
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SPL-X Series Subwoofers – High-performance, compact designs that deliver enormous low-frequency power without overwhelming a room visually.
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SC-600 IW X In-Wall Speaker – Designed to integrate seamlessly into modern living spaces while maintaining Velodyne’s commitment to sonic excellence.
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SC-1500 Amplifier – A powerful amplifier featuring app-controlled auto EQ room measurement technology, allowing integrators and end users alike to achieve precise bass performance tailored to any room.
With these launches, Velodyne is signaling that it isn’t just revisiting its past glories but actively building the future of bass reproduction.
A Renewed Commitment to the U.S. Market
This partnership is more than just a distribution deal—it represents Velodyne’s renewed commitment to the American market. After several years of shifting ownership and quieter operations, the company is ready to re-establish itself with consistency and clarity.
For former Velodyne partners, the relaunch provides an opportunity to reconnect with a brand that many integrators once considered indispensable. For new dealers, it’s a chance to align with a subwoofer manufacturer that still sets the gold standard for performance.
“As a company with strong American roots, we’re excited to partner with Playback Distribution to make Velodyne Acoustics more accessible to U.S. customers,” said Mansour Mamaghani. “Playback brings the expertise needed to nurture and grow our established CI network while expanding the ways in which customers can discover and experience our market-defining subwoofers.”
Why Velodyne Still Matters
The high-performance audio world is crowded, but Velodyne’s name still carries unique weight. Enthusiasts remember the servo-controlled subwoofers of the 1990s that set performance benchmarks, while home theater fans know Velodyne as one of the first companies to combine brute-force power with precision DSP.
Even in an era where many manufacturers compete for attention with buzzwords and spec sheets, Velodyne has something others can’t easily replicate: heritage. A Velodyne subwoofer isn’t just a piece of hardware—it’s a continuation of decades of refinement in how bass should sound and feel.
Looking Ahead
With Playback Distribution as its U.S. partner, Velodyne Acoustics is entering a new chapter—one that combines its storied past with a forward-looking strategy. The upcoming launches, dedicated digital presence, and CEDIA 2025 showcase make it clear that Velodyne isn’t content to live on its reputation. It wants to redefine bass for a new generation of listeners, integrators, and enthusiasts.
For integrators attending CEDIA Expo 2025, Booth #4425 will be a must-visit destination. Not only will attendees get to hear the latest Velodyne products, but they’ll also have the chance to connect directly with Mansour Mamaghani, who will be on hand to share insights and answer questions about the company’s vision.
Conclusion
Velodyne Acoustics’ return to the U.S. market, announced through its exclusive partnership with Playback Distribution, is more than just a business move—it’s a statement of intent. The brand that once defined subwoofer performance is back, determined to prove that its best days are still ahead.
By choosing CEDIA Expo 2025 as its relaunch platform, Velodyne is reminding the industry that bass isn’t just heard—it’s experienced. And for those who want the ultimate low-frequency experience, there’s still one name that has a seat at the table: Velodyne Acoustics.
