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sub-woofer with ML Summits



I just bought a pair of ML Summits, and although I am still breaking them in, I adore them. I am brand new to this level of hi fi listening and not very knowledgable, but already I'm hooked. I had owned the ML Ascent i's and a ML Descent and loved them too before trading them in for the Summits about three weeks later. I figured I wouldn't need the subwoofer, and indeed I don't, but there's need and then there's need. I listen to mostly classical and jazz, often at quite low levels, and I'm wondering whether a subwoofer would flesh things out even better down below despite the Summits' marvelous tight bass. My listening room is about 15 ft. x 26ft. If the answer is yes, any suggestions which subwoofer? A Depth? Audio Physic? I'm in France so it's easier and cheaper to buy euro brands?
t_s_monk
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I use a single Depth w/ my ML CLSs and it's amazing in all ways. Seamless and fast, organ music is real again. It's better (faster) than he Descent too, a conclusion shared by many people now.

However, I've heard the Summits, and I honestly can't imagine improving on their bass performance -- they really get down there, and with the same kind of refinemant as the Depth, and possibly a little more power too. If you are using your Summits with a HT capable system, you might want a sub w/ a 15" driver for room-shaking soundtrack effects (which I'll bet the Summits can do too) but definitely not for 2 channel.

Just as an aside in case you're amp shopping: With the earlier ML hybrids, you had to use a ss amp if you wanted good bass, and accept the way the stat panel sounded (a little edgy) or bi-amp, and using a tube amp for the panel. With the Summits, you can forget about needing a ss amp or bi-amping (since they have their own ss amp for the bass) and drive them with a really nice tube amp
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
You need an equalizer to boost the bass output for low level listening., but I strongly suggest you let the speakers fully break-in and keep them for more than 3 weeks before making up your mind.
bignerd100
515 posts
 
I assume that you have played with the 25 and 50Hz level controls on the Summits. Once placed right, broken in and dialed in they should be sufficient by themselves. A pair of Depths or Descents could take a little stress off of teh Summit woofers but the 4x1000 watt amplifiers shouldnt need any help. Heck, borrow a good sub and see if it is to your liking.

Good luck!
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