Kinergetics SW200 rip-off ??


I recently bought a Kinergetics SW200 system through AudiogoN and after resolving the issue of grossly inaccurate description of the system's cosmetic condition (a seperate thread )I have gotten to the business of adding the subs to my system. I need help from you AudiogoNers in determining wether the system is actually working properly. My goal in purchasing the subs was to experiment with subs for the first time without spending much money. Now, I understand the issues of difficulty in blending with main speakers particularly when we're talking about speakers like the Stax F81 (electrostats). However the severerity of the broblems has surprised me, to the extent that I wonder if there isn't something wrong besides cosmetic problems. I chose the Kinergetics because it had gotten a fair amount of favorable attention a few years back, particularly in TAS; and I believe bass should be done in stereo. The following are some observations based on listening and the use of the Stereophile test CD: Speed is not as much of a problem as I had expected, it keeps up with the Stax fairly well. The quality of the bass is a problem: wooly, a little boomy, mediocre pitch definition. Extention is mediocre as well. Used with EAD7000DAC and Melos222C pre and volume pots on SW200 set at -18, output seems reasonable to 50hz. At 40hz there is a definite reduction in volume and some rattling begins. At 31.5hz previous output returns but rattling is now very dramatic. At 25hz output is greatly reduced is practically all rattle. At 20hz fuggetaboutit. In spite of all this I do mostly enjoy the new found bottom (the Stax give nothing to speak of below about 60hz in my room ), although not enough to want to deal with the other problems. The rattle is mostly not audible during music playback.I have been able to improve matters with different woofer cables, isolation etc. but the quality of the bass is just not rearly musical enough. I can't believe that they were as highly touted for use with Spicas and others as they were. The crossover, in spite of some reduction in soundstage volume, sounds reasonably transparent, a bit more electronic sound but again, not as bad as I expected. Comments and/or suggestions would be most appreciated. To the person who sold these: Your comments are welcomed as well.
frogman
frogman I used the f81's with Countepoint sa4 OTL's and got the itch for some upper bass. A friend would come into my listening room and mimic a musician giving the thumbs up to a the soundboard guy to turn up the bass. I tried going solid state with balls (DNA 1, Classe, etc) which only served to lose some of that mid magic. I then went the sub route and tried Muse18, and some lesser knowns which muddied up the mids and uppermids and also experinced what you did with the Kinergetics. In my opinion, the Stax is such a delicate sounding speaker using it with a sub just wont do it. I think if you tried an OTL, you'd fall deeper in love with this speaker, but still be looking for that elusive uppermid warmth and bass....good luck
Juslisten, I believe you're right. I have in fact been looking for a pair of SA4OTL's. Thanks for your comments.
with a pair of hi-quality subs, a hi-quality active x-over set at a low-enuff frequency & a steep enuff slope - 24db/octave minimum - 48db/octave may be even better for e-stats - you should be able to integrate subs w/yust about any speakers out there. for the most troubling speakers, just run the x-over on the subs, & run the monitors full-range. marchand makes 48db/octave x-overs, recommended for e-stats, as well as 24db/octave x-overs. their having a volume pot *at* the x-over frequency, as well as at the lo & hi-pass, is also especially useful...
frogman, as stated earlier, i'm partial to vmps - while others out there may be as good, yure gonna have to pay *at least* double the price for the same quality/quantity bass response - *if* ya buy used - otherwise, it will cost *more*.

of course, the above is *my* opinion. even if ya choose other subs, you owe it to yourself to check out marchand's www - very nice x-overs - again, my opinion.

regards, doug