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MartinLogan Subwoofers- Don't Overlook Them!

With everyone on the SVS, Rythmik, JL Audio and REL bandwagons MartinLogan’s subs tend to be overlooked by many.
After reading the Stereophile review of the ML Dynamo 800X subwoofers with app based controls and ARC room correction I picked up a pair at my local dealer.
They have an excellent feature set for seamless integration including continuous phase, high level speaker inputs, multiple crossover slope settings all done from the listening spot.
The app works really well and they connected via bluetooth without a hitch. I renamed each sub to indicate the left and right positions and it is so easy to adjust and control them to get the best results.
They sound excellent! Very "musical" with no bloating, very tight and fast. They go deep enough with strength and clarity. Sustained deep notes are presented with power and authority with no breakup.   They also deliver excellent punch- kick drums sound great with appropriate impact.   The only drawback is that they are so far a little dry sounding, a little too tight.  I'm sure they will loosen up with time but even with that I am still enjoying them quite a bit!  
For anyone in the market give these some consideration.   And yes, two subwoofers offer many advantages over a single sub and the resulting sound is fantastic.   
avanti1960
oilheadoug
10 posts
 
I purchased a pair of ML Dynamo 1100s in April to supplement my Magnepan 1.7i speakers and have been quite pleased with them.

The ease of room correction and adjustment via smartphone app were part of their appeal, as was the option to wirelessly connect to my preamp.

The sound is the key thing however, and the sound improvement was substantial.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
I really like the fact that you can make adjustments from the listening chair. It make comparison much easier. Can you sync the woofers so that you can make the same adjustment to both woofers simultaneously? That would really be the nuts!
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
avanti1960,

     I've always considered Martin Logan subs as very good subs.  As you and millercarbon realize, using two subs, as opposed to a single sub, offers significant advantages that have absolutely nothing to do with stereo bass.  
     All bass is mono below about 100 Hz because virtually all humans cannot determine exactly where bass notes this deep are originating from.  Our brains sum and average bass notes by frequency for all bass below 100 Hz but we can perceive changes in pitch and volume in bass this deep, we just can't determine exactly where it's originating from without higher harmonics or overtones of these fundamental frequencies being reproduced and perceived.  
     Even if we could, however, stereo bass on virtually all vinyl and cd recordings is summed to mono below 100 Hz so there's no stereo bass existing on recorded music content, anyways.  Don't believe this?  Try to find a single exception.  It's best to just operate all your subs in 

Tim
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
What I find well and truly amazing is the way four or five subs spaced out asymmetrically around the room are able to recreate bass that is just as solidly and accurately placed within the sound stage as anything else. 

As much fun as it probably is being able to play with settings with a remote, the more subs you get the less it matters where they are. The better it sounds. The less you need to tweak. And the more you just relax and enjoy the music. 
gochurchgo
923 posts
 
I’ve been following @avanti1960 thread on that forum I do not mention. Based on his recommendation here I will look into them.


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