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SW-800 Subs & CLS's

After much searching I have a line on a mint pair of Kinergetics SW-800 Reference sub-woofers (twin towers with 5 ten inch long throw drivers on each side). These were specifically designed for my Martin Logan CLS's -- a mini Statement in its day. These are the second generation with a single crossover device (the originals had dual 300 watt monoblocks/crossovers). Does anyone out there have any experience with these? Concerns... the speakers are virtually un-used, but they were designed with SEAS paper woofers (less mass to move quickly with the CLS's). Do these deteriorate even though un-used and in the original packaging (we're talking 5 or 6 years old)? Also, the reviews stated that these subs will ruthlessly reveal the quality of the amps driving them (unusual for subs). Unfortunately, the only spare amp I have these days is an old Adcom GFA555. Any recommendations? Should I stick with the obvious choice of solid state? If so, what? I'm using tubes for the CLS's with great results. Lastly, the subs have a nominal impedance of 1.6 ohms -- great match for the CLS ;-). Thanks in advance.
jim
sedond
1,391 posts
 
gfa-555 should work yust fine w/those subs - bass response is a strong-suit of these amps. i use a pair of 'em bridged, to drive my vmps subs. at the very least, you could ry 'em, & if yure not happy, get something else.

sorry i can't help ya w/the kinergetics, other than i've heard these are excellent subs, & i've never heard of any cone deterioration problems w/em...

mig007
116 posts
 
I have the same setup as you with the one difference being i use the crossover in my meridian 568 instead of the kinergistics one; i cannot comment on the question of construction material, but i do disagree with the 1st response; i never found adcom amps adequate for driving difficult loads such as martin logans; i would suggest an amp known for that trait like arragon, or mccormick dna's; i'm using an aragon 4004 mk ii for the subs and mccormick dna 1 monoblocks for the cls; by the way, i believe cls and sw800 combo is as good as it gets as far as the sound and cost
jim OP
418 posts
 
Thanks, guys. I think I have to take the plunge with this combo. Doug, you know I've been noodling with this for a quite a while, going back and forth on how to best intergrate the panels and the subs. The SW800 was actually designed for my speakers but I know that I'm still in store for a lot of tweeking regarding setup and other things, but I feel that the end result will be worth it. Mig, you are the only person I've run into who is currently running the CLS/SW800 setup -- any advice on positioning? I went back to the reviews, which suggested keeping the subs in the same position as the panels (one inchto the side) with exactly the same toe in and a listening position slightly farther back than with the CLSes running by themselves. Currently, my speakers are 9 feet apart (center to center), about 20 degrees of toe, 5 feet from the rear and side walls with a listening position 10 feet from the speakers. I have them on the Arcicci stands so there's not much (if any) back tilt. Maybe move the speakers slightly closer, put the subs just outside as a starting point? What do you think? Thanks, again.
sedond
1,391 posts
 
hi mig, i never said anything in my post about using the adcoms to drive loads like the martin-logans, but when the gfa555 1st came out, a hi-end retailer in my area was amazed that they could drive the notoriously difficult apogee scintillas, that would destroy *better* amps. anyway, all i said here is i tink adcom amps wood be fine for driving the kinergetics sub, & i still do...

regards, doug

ps - jim, as ewe know, i came *wery* close to purchasing a pair of cls, but dint, mainly cuz even martin-logan said i woodn't be happy w/their 93db max output, even when crossed-over to subs, in my large listening room. i tink the cls' are the greatest thing going for small-scale music, but there are times i want to *crank* it... ;~) thus, i'm saving for the newforms... dunno anything about the kinergetics' x-over, but i *do* know the marchand is wery flexible & wery transparent - i tink it wood be a great match for the cls'.

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I happened to run across your various mini-statement discussions from 2001, so I'm probably late to the party.

If you are still using a m-s speaker setup let me know. I have a lot of experience with it and I'm willing to share.

best,

Neil
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