Subwoofers - Final Thoughts with Martin Logan ESL 13A


I’ve narrowed this down to 3 choices (I think) and was looking to see if anyone has had some experience with pairing these subs with ML ESLs? I can’t try and return because they are mostly secondhand purchases, so hoping to get it right the first time!

Force Cancelling subs have been highly recommended, so:

KEF KC92 (or KF92 older model) 2, 3 or possible 4 of these:

https://assets.kef.com/product-support/kc92-subwoofer/KC92_info_sheet_EN_V4_20240124.pdf

Martin Logan BalancedForced 210 - Maybe the best as they match up nicely, but I could probably only do one of these as they are HUGE. I have only one spot I could put one as far as the manual's recommendation goes. Martin Logan says these will cover 3000 sq. ft. My room is only 500 sq. ft. Two maybe overkill, but some say, "2 subs or no subs" Maybe I could put another addition on the house :-( 

https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/balancedforce-210 - click on Specs/Lit

Lastly, The Swarm Subwoofer System - not sure how well this would work with my ESLs.

https://www.audiokinesis.com/the-swarm-subwoofer-system-1.html

Any advice would greatly be appreciated (as usual).

Thanks, and all the best of the season to you all!

 

 

 

navyachts
rauliruegas,

"Dear @ricred1 : In this link and in any REL information you can’t find out which is the 31/32 THD that is essentially a meaning of the true quality subwoofer performance levels. If you have information about then please share with us:"

Sorry and I don't want to be rude, but I simply own REL subwoofers. I don't work for them, I'm not a REL fanboy(I don't like their subs with a passive radiator), and I don't get into measurements. In my system/room, I prefer the NO. 32s because adding them has improved everything across the audio spectrum. The 32s disappear and you can't tell they are on, until you turn them off. I'm not telling anyone to buy them or saying they are the best for everyone.

ricred1,

My apologies that my lack of specificity led you to feel the need to justify your personal taste. You have been very clear about your current level of satisfaction with your systems speakers. 

Could you describe where in your room you positioned the dual JL Audio F112 v2's the SVS Ultra's and the Martin Logan Depth i and HSU subwoofers?

Example: Between the speakers, corners of the front wall, same plane next to the speakers etc? 

 

Dear @ricred1  " " I don't want to be rude, but I simply own REL subwoofers. I don't work for them, I'm not a REL fanboy(I don't like their subs with a passive radiator), and I don't get into measurements.  ""

NO, you are not, you don't have to worry about. This is a dialogue.

 

" I don't get into measurements. " Well, I posted in this thread that always it's essential that every audiophile you included need to mantain a good equilibrium between our subjectivity and the objectivity ( specs, measurements, technical issues and the like ) and I can see that you have not that kind of equilibrium and go " walking " through 100% subjectivity as: " I like it " or that's the way I like it. Nothing wrong with that becaus that's you and that you use your room/system as HTS too and that's what REL site says and what REL makes always but REL is not truly competitive against say this today Velodyne that by specs and measurements puts on shame any REL subwoofer:

 

Digital Drive Plus - Velodyne Acoustics

 

There is no contest down there and only the 60K+ per unit  Magico subs are near the Velodyne with a 0.4% THD or the fantastic subwoofer coming by Evolution Acoustics that goes -3db at 7hz-100hz and -6d at 3hz to 100hz.

 

That Evolution subs unit comes with 4 treated PAPER  15" woofers and each sub weogths around 300kg and very expensive as are the Wilson subwoofers too. ( why treated paper instead other today materials?, please read my next post).

Those are two examples why objectivity is so important even that you don't care about and that is up to you and I respect that.

 

R.

m-db,

"Could you describe where in your room you positioned the dual JL Audio F112 v2’s the SVS Ultra’s and the Martin Logan Depth i and HSU subwoofers?"

No, I’m not going to continue to go back and forth with you.