Vera-Fi Audio LLC
Vanguard Caldera 12" Active Subwoofer
Vanguard Caldera 12" Active Subwoofer
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Product Description
Product Description
Experience bass like never before with the Vanguard Caldera 12—a subwoofer that delivers deep, precise lows to elevate your audio experience.
At the heart of the Caldera 12 lies a formidable 12-inch driver, driven by a robust 500-watt Class D amplifier. This potent combination ensures authoritative bass reproduction, reaching depths as low as 22Hz at -3dB, adding a profound foundation to your music and movies.
Elegant Design and Build
Encased in a beautifully crafted cabinet featuring real rosewood veneer with black edgework, the Caldera 12 seamlessly blends into any décor. Its dimensions are thoughtfully designed to balance presence and placement flexibility, measuring approximately 16 inches in width, 14 inches in height, and 15 3/4 inches in depth. Despite its substantial performance capabilities, it maintains a manageable weight, allowing for easy integration into your existing setup.
Seamless Connectivity and Control
The Caldera 12 offers versatile connectivity options, including line-level inputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of audio systems. User-friendly controls for gain, crossover frequency, and phase adjustment allow for precise tuning to match your main speakers and room acoustics, delivering a cohesive and immersive listening experience.
Experience the Vanguard Caldera 12 and feel the difference that precision engineering and powerful performance can make in your audio system. Elevate your soundstage with bass that is not only heard but felt, bringing your favorite music and movies to life with unparalleled depth and clarity.
The Caldera 12 sub near field measurement (mic at vent exit plane and 10mm from cone) shows a -3dB F3 of 23Hz.
Priced at Just $399
Try it for yourself—backed by Vera-Fi Audio’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
Specifications
Specifications
Driver: 12-inch High-excursion Woofer
Amplifier Power: 250w Peak Power (Class D)
Frequency Response: 23Hz (-3dB)
Dimensions: 16" W x 14" H x 15 3/4" D
Weight: Approximately 44 lbs
Input Impedance: 10kohm for the RCA single ended input, and 10kohm on each leg of the balanced XLR input
Finish: Real Rosewood Veneer with Black Edgework











Is a great subwoofer looks very nice finishes great sounds excellent for the price. YouIs a great subwoofer looks very nice finishes great sounds excellent for the price. You cannot go wrong. It’s a must purchase. Thank you Mark.
These are very musical subs for audiophiles at a fraction of the price than the competition. Vera-fi customer support (Mark Schifter) is top notch. I do not believe there is any subwoofer pair in the approximately 800 dollar price range that can beat these subs for your hifi system.
There are a couple of qualities of these subwoofers that I would like to comment on favorably. First, the coverage of the midbass frequencies, and in fact the musicality of the subwoofers, is remarkable for the price. In my room, the frequencies between 65 and 125 are suppressed by the room. The Caldara subwoofers compensate for this very nicely. Second, the visual appearance of the units is very nice.
Wow, I miss the ultra low frequencies that my old but no longer functional REL subwoofers provided, my music room does not really allow for reproduction of the frequencies between 20 and 40 Hz. The trade-off of musicality is therefore significant compensation.
I appreciated Mark’s generous offer to substitute the Caldera for the smaller model which was out of stock. If I can make one suggestion for future Caldera models, it would be to have speaker level inputs in addition to the RCA inputs.
Wonderful purchase. My system sounds great.
Wow - I honestly wasn't sure if I was even a "bass guy" before purchasing 2x Caldera 12"s, and my Wharfedale Linton's even had already solid bass response, but in the endless quest for the "wow" factor, I was pointed towards Vera-Fi's subwoofer offerings.
Let me just say, I am absolutely blown away. I can't stop listening to my system -- it just sounds too good. I also have not experienced such remarkably good customer service from a company in quite some time. Thank you to Mark and the team for making such a reasonably priced product that punches far into much higher price points.
Is very good. Excelent.
Produit incroyable; service à la clientèle encore plus incroyable!!
Produit incroyable; service à la clientèle encore plus incroyable!!
Very surprised at the quality for the price.
I have 2 Caldera 12 subs. My wife think they look great and I love the sound of them. They blend so seamlessly with my Spatial Audio open baffle speakers. My only issue is with the auto on/ off…. It cuts off too quickly when no signal is present while the music is playing and then it cuts back on when signal is present while the music is playing… the problem is the switching on/off is audible. It distracts from the illusion of musicians playing in front of me. Of course I just leave them on now for a work around. Other than that it is a great piece of equipment that I am proud to own… to say nothing of its price/ value and quality. It sets it apart from a lot of budget subs and on par with the best
Caldera 12 Reviews on YouTube

GenerationBehindHIFI
A Look Inside The Vera-Fi Audio Caldera 12 Subwoofer
Articles about Caldera 12

Positive Feedback
A pair of them easily surpassed the much more expensive sub, and with relative ease
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Vanguard Caldera 12?
The Vanguard Caldera 12 is a 12-inch active subwoofer designed to deliver deep, powerful bass, enhancing the low-frequency performance of your audio system.
How does the Caldera 12 differ from the Caldera 10?
The Caldera 12 features a larger 12-inch driver and a more powerful amplifier compared to the Caldera 10, resulting in deeper bass extension and greater output, suitable for larger rooms or systems requiring more substantial low-frequency support.
What is the power output of the Caldera 12?
The Caldera 12 is equipped with a 500-watt amplifier, providing ample power for dynamic and impactful bass reproduction.
Where should I place the Caldera 12 in my room?
Optimal placement can vary, but common positions include corners or along the front wall. Experimenting with placement will help achieve the best bass response in your specific room environment.
Is the Caldera 12 compatible with my existing audio system?
Yes, the Caldera 12 is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of audio systems, enhancing low-frequency performance without requiring specialized equipment.
Where can I find Vera-Fi Audio warranty information?
You may find information about warranty here.
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When I added the LNBH and SSZ to my system, I installed them together, so it’s impossible for me to separate their individual contributions. After a long run-in period, the changes became so compelling that I found myself staying up late, revisiting every song I’ve ever loved.
One of the most striking improvements was the disappearance of noise-related limitations. With these two in place, details that were previously buried in the mix became clearly audible. I could hear the subtle sounds of a vocalist taking a breath or even swallowing, which added an incredible sense of realism to the performance.
The overall imaging feels more precise, with every element in the soundstage locked in place. Music flows effortlessly, and the presentation is so engaging that it’s hard to step away from the listening chair. This pairing improved the technical side of my system while also bringing a level of musical connection that keeps me listening for hours.

I recently replaced the stock fuses in both my SSZ and Tempus PSU with the Graphene Sluggo.
Even at the start there was a sense that something had shifted, but this is not the kind of upgrade that shows everything in the first hour. In my case it really came into its own after about 300 hours. The first 50 hours the treble had a slightly tighter character and the mid-bass felt restrained. Around 150 hours the presentation started to relax, with better flow and more natural layering. By 300 hours dynamics felt settled, micro-details became more apparent, and the whole system sounded more connected.
What stood out most to me was the neutrality and transparency. It does not push the tonal balance in any direction, it simply lets the system speak for itself. Highs extend cleanly without harshness, keeping fine texture and air. The midrange has a natural presence with good retrieval of subtle detail. Bass is well controlled, evenly weighted, and separated with clarity.
On the SSZ, highs became smoother while keeping resolution, and the soundstage felt more open in both width and depth. Vocals gained more dimensionality compared to the stock fuse. On the Tempus PSU, tonal balance stayed consistent, but resolution improved across the range, making instrument separation easier to follow.
Mark at Vera-Fi has been great to talk to. Every question I asked was answered with detail and warmth, which made the whole experience more positive.
After this I plan to gradually replace all the fuses in my system with the Graphene Sluggo. For anyone using SSZ or Tempus PSU who wants more resolution and detail without altering the system character, this could be worth considering.

Purchased a pair of Vera-Fi Audio Vanguard Scout bookshelf speakers to replace my Fluance XL8S bookshelf speakers in the living room 2.1 system and am glad I did. In Stick Season by Noah Kahan Noah's voice has a low-level echo seemingly caused by the recording space, and it was hard to resolve in my Fluance XL8S based 2.1 system. Now, with the Vanguard Scout based 2.1 system, that low-level echo is better resolved at the same, low volume level (67dB or so on average at the listening position, C-weighted). There is that and there's the fact they're gorgeous looking speakers in the room. Very happy with this purchase.

This sub is a great value. I can’t think of any other sub in its price range that can compare.

I've had experiences with three different sluggo options, the high purity copper version, high purity copper with a gold immersion, and the graphene sluggo. The graphene sluggo was far and away my no. 1 choice; graphene is the best conductor of electricity that exists, and the graphene sluggo has been vapor-deposited with a microscopic layer of the compound. Graphene is actually just a single molecule of carbon, and though the microscopic layer deposited on the sluggo is infinitely thin, it still transmits current at a 70% higher rate than either of the two other options. The sluggo uses the proven concept of "skin effect," where the lion's share of the current travels across the surface of the sluggo. The graphene sluggo was absolutely superior to anything else I had access to, you can read my original review here:
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/vera-fi-audio-swiss-digital-fuse-box/?highlight=graphene

The Naiu Ella Stereo Amplifier is the only amp in my collection of gear that has an amperage rating higher than 10 amps -- that wouldn't allow me use the more flexible Infinity Fuse unit that's user-programmable. The Swiss Digital Fuse Box arrived in a black case as opposed to the usual silver case, which was a really good look! Hookup was easy, and I robbed the Core Power Piggy Tail from my analog system to hook the Naiu Ella to the SDFB. After it burned in for 24-or-so hours, I took an extended listen, and the SDFB in the system with the Ella amp now showed the same level of effortlessness and clarity I noted in my original experiences with it in my all-analog system. And my principal assessment of the SDFB remains consistent -- the Naiu Ella in the digital source system now plays with more control and limitless dynamics -- it's almost like a completely different, more powerful amplifier. Very highly recommended -- once you hear your system with the SDFB, there's no going back!

A more cost-effective, user-programmable alternative to the Swiss Digital Fuse Box! And the dip switches allow the user to customize it for amperage and fuse type (slo-blow or fast acting) for compatibility with a variety of devices. You're not limited to a single device (as with the SDFB, which arrives pre-programmed for a specific fuse type and amperage rating), and that frees you to experiment with other equipment, easily helping you decide if you need additional Infinity Fuse units. The only thing necessary for you to do prior to placing your order is to confirm the fuse dimensions and choose the Sluggo (that replaces the fuse) or an upgraded version. And the Infinity Fuse will work with any device with a fuse rating up to 10 amps. Highly recommended -- I've tried it with tube amplifers, DACs, and preamplifiers, and the IF really gets you closer to the music!

There are a couple of qualities of these subwoofers that I would like to comment on favorably. First, the coverage of the midbass frequencies, and in fact the musicality of the subwoofers, is remarkable for the price. In my room, the frequencies between 65 and 125 are suppressed by the room. The Caldara subwoofers compensate for this very nicely. Second, the visual appearance of the units is very nice.
Wow, I miss the ultra low frequencies that my old but no longer functional REL subwoofers provided, my music room does not really allow for reproduction of the frequencies between 20 and 40 Hz. The trade-off of musicality is therefore significant compensation.
I appreciated Mark’s generous offer to substitute the Caldera for the smaller model which was out of stock. If I can make one suggestion for future Caldera models, it would be to have speaker level inputs in addition to the RCA inputs.

Wow - I honestly wasn't sure if I was even a "bass guy" before purchasing 2x Caldera 12"s, and my Wharfedale Linton's even had already solid bass response, but in the endless quest for the "wow" factor, I was pointed towards Vera-Fi's subwoofer offerings.
Let me just say, I am absolutely blown away. I can't stop listening to my system -- it just sounds too good. I also have not experienced such remarkably good customer service from a company in quite some time. Thank you to Mark and the team for making such a reasonably priced product that punches far into much higher price points.

The Line Noise BlackHole (LNBH) sets the new industry standard for AC line noise elimination. In both my systems, the LNBH in combination with the Snub Station Zero easily bested the AudioQuest Niagara equipment that occupied both systems. If you can manage with a combined amperage total of less than 10 amps (that's much easier than most might imagine), these devices will shock you with the goodness they bring to your listening sessions. Yes, they eliminate AC-borne line noise, but the opens an entirely new listening experience, with incredible transparency and clarity, whether you listen to analog or digital sources. Very highly recommended, and maybe the most important product launch from Vera-Fi Audio yet!