A shock absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed valving system and a high speed valving system. Both systems control fluid flow through the respective valve assembly for fluid flow in the same direction. The low speed valving system is independently tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both the vehicle control and handling. The independent tuning of the low speed valving system allows the optimization of the low speed valving system in relation to the high speed valving system as well as the independent tuning of the high speed valving system in relation to the low speed valving system. The independent tuning of the two systems allow the achievement of a smooth transition between the two systems. The dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for a compression stroke, be incorporated into the piston for an extension stroke, or two dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for compression and extension strokes.