Subwoofer Advice


I am running a pair of Martin Logan ESL 13A speakers (24-23,000 Hz). I would have thought with two 10" woofers there would be more bas (the base level dial on the rear of the speakers doesn’t seem to cut it either).

In the past I had a pair of ML Spires (29-23,000 Hz) with only one 10" woofer that had so much base, I sold my pair of ForceField 30s. Not the case with the 13A’s.

I don’t have a lot of room, maybe 16" or so square and I was wondering about a pair of SVS Micros. Do you think they would complement the 13As or do I need something bigger?

Martin Logan has come out with a few new subs lately; do you think I should keep in the ML family?

Hoping to come in under $2K, so used is fine. Thanks all!

I should also mention I’m limited on space so placement would likely have to be on the inside or the outside of the main speakers (same back wall).

 

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There you go. Do exactly what I said with the deep bass boost. You have to dive in. Just keep the volume low and you can not hurt anything. There is also nothing you can't undo. 

Bass goes everywhere...it simply cannot be directional by nature, and note that many subs (including a couple of mine) have down facing drivers...you could suspend subs from the ceiling (ha) but if bass gets to your ears, it's getting everywhere else. I have 2 RELs in my main rig and after reading something about WIlson suggesting the Loki's placement as having its voice coil in line with the bass drivers in the mains (makes sense), I adjusted a sub (front firing) to be in line with that suggestion. The other sub is off to the right...a standing wave defeater. This works and I suggest this setup to anybody with a listening space and gear EXACTLY like mine. 

@wolf_garcia @mijostyn recommended to me to get balance forced subs, so I don't think anyone who manufacturers these subs offer a down firing unit.

Not sure if my listening space and gear is exactly like yours as you don't have that info posted in your profile. 

Thanks for the info though!

I was joking with the "exactly like mine" comment to point out that every listening space is utterly different. Bass is bass, and my suggestion is to get a couple of used RELs (that are returnable perhaps) as the high level input from the power amp is cool...no long runs of signal cable required. For 2K you can easily get 2 new RELs if you desire a warranty. My RELs are from a much older "Q" line..a Q150e 150 watt front firing (I own 2 of these, one is part of my video system), and a Q108MK2 100 watt downfiring. Had 'em for years, they work perfectly, cost about 200 bucks each used.