Making what it calls a “renewed commitment to the American market,” Hamburg, Germany-based Velodyne Acoustics announced today that it has appointed Playback Distribution as its exclusive distributor for the U.S. market. The new partnership will kick off at the upcoming CEDIA Expo in Denver, CO, on September 4-6, 2025.
Learn more about Velodyne partnering with Playback…
Velodyne Acoustics is a historically significant brand founded by engineer David Hall in 1983. In the early days of subwoofers, they went deep, but they exhibited high levels of distortion and were disdained by true audiophiles. Then Hall created servo-controlled technology to clean up the performance of subwoofers by reducing distortion by a factor of ten or more. Suddenly, subwoofers made sense in a high-quality, high-performance audio system.
Hall went on to create an improved LiDAR (light detection and ranging) system, which is a critical technology used in autonomous driving vehicles. That technology took off, and Hall took off with it. In 2000, Forbes estimated Hall’s net worth at one billion dollars.
German Distributor Audio Reference Acquires Velodyne
In exiting the audio business in 2019, Hall ultimately sold Velodyne Acoustics – the audio business – to Mansour Mamaghani, owner of German distributor Audio Reference. Audio Reference was Velodyne’s largest customer and seemed the perfect choice to take the company to the next level.
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. 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.
Mansour Mamaghani, Velodyne Acoustics Owner
The Art of Blending Analog Know-How with Digital Technology
Velodyne says it has always “remained true to its guiding principle of delivering world-class low-frequency sound that brings music, movies, and games to life.” The company’s announcement also noted that, as one of the industry’s largest patent holders in the subwoofer segment, it is renowned for combining analog know-how with state-of-the-art digital technology.
According to the company, custom integration is a “cornerstone” of Velodyne’s U.S. business, and the company continues to consider it a priority going forward. One way they will demonstrate that commitment is by launching the new SubContractor series at next month’s CEDIA Expo in Denver. And like Velodyne, Playback is equally committed to the CI channel, offering integrators reliable logistics and superior service and support.
Velodyne and Playback to Broaden the Exposure and Support of the Brand
We are honored to help bring this legendary brand back to prominence in the American market. Velodyne Acoustics has earned royalty status in the subwoofer world, and we consider ourselves fortunate to be the ones welcoming the king back home!
Rob Standley, Playback Distribution President
Playback and Velodyne both say they will work closely with any integrator or retailer that has a showroom to ensure they can offer their clients the most dynamic and dramatic experience with Velodyne products.
The partners have launched a dedicated U.S. website at velodyneusa.com, which offers custom content and information tailored specifically for the American market. U.S. visitors can discover products, register warranties, locate local dealers, and access technical support.
Major Product Launch at Upcoming CEDIA Expo
Velodyne will be debuting several new models at next month’s CEDIA Expo in Denver. Attendees who stop by the Playback Distribution booth can see the SPL-X Series subwoofers, SC-600 IW X in-wall speaker, and SC-1500 amplifier with proprietary app-controlled auto EQ room measurement technology.
Booth visitors will also have an opportunity to meet Velodyne’s owner, Mansour Mamaghani, who will be there to answer any questions and to share his insights about the future of bass perfection.
See Velodyne Acoustics and Playback Distribution at CEDIA Expo, Booth #4425
Any dealer or integrator interested in learning more about Velodyne Acoustic’s products and technologies, or Playback Distribution’s programs and plans, is encouraged to stop by the Playback Distribution Booth #4425 in the Colorado Convention Center to meet with the team and learn more.
Learn more about Velodyne by visiting velodyneusa.com.
Connect with Playback Distribution today at playbackdistribution.com.
They’re in good hands with Playback, but the website needs some work.