Martin Logan subs?

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,644
edited December 2006 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Depth and Grotto I believe is the models... any opinion on these subs as far as accuracy, output, extention?
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited December 2006
    Hey Sid,
    I experianced the ML subs shortly after I bought my SVS and can tell you that they are one of the best subs pound of pound I have seen. They are extreamly fast and accurate and blend very well with all typs of material and if I didn't already through out the funds for the SVS I would have gotten one of those instead, even the wife said the same thing. It was running with a movie and the punch was amazing even from 20+ft my wife and I were feeling it. The thing that really got my wife was the size very small, the one we experianced was no bigger the an FX-30, quite impressive. I have no problem highly recommending one.

    Dave
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  • gregure
    gregure Posts: 871
    edited December 2006
    Sid,

    I can't say enough great things about Martin Logan subs. Accurate, musical, tight, gorgeous and small comparitively. I've come to dislike ported subs because I find there is always that last sense of boominess or borrowed bass, rather than the accuracy and punch of a good sealed box where the drivers are the only thing producing the sound.

    I've been completely satisfied with my Depth. It has plenty of power, sub 20 Hz extension despite the rated range, and it's an endlessly musical sub. I can't afford two systems, but I have integrated a two-channel system as well as possible with my budget into my home theater, and Martin Logans are perfect for use in both systems because they're so musically adept.

    Below is a link to my initial review when I first got the sub home. Scroll down a few replies to get to the review. I live somewhere different now, by myself, and have complete license to set the system up properly. I no longer have to have the 25 Hz level set to +6 as I did in the old place. That really is asking a lot of the drivers.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36495&highlight=martin+logan+depth

    The Grotto is also a tremendous sub. You obviously lose some heft and a little bit of extension compared to the Depth (although the Grotto would never make you notice that last degree of missing Hz), but the Grotto would be an excellent choice as well. I say if you're willing to spend more, go for the Depth, but if you really want to keep the budget down, or you don't have a very large room, the Grotto is always a sure bet.

    One piece of advice: the drivers need some break-in time with these subs. You will notice a difference after 50 or 60 hours or so, to where the sub seems to be going a bit deeper and is smoother. Try not to overdo the volume or subject it to relentless tests until after that period, when the drivers have loosened a bit. Let us know what you think if you go that route.
    Current System:

    Mitsubishi 30" LCD LT-3020 (for sale**)
    Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand (Rosewood)-Mains (with Audioquest Mont Blanc cables)
    CSi5-Center (for sale**)
    FXi3-surrounds (for sale**)
    Martin Logan Depth-Sub
    B&K AVR 507
    Pimare CD21-CD Player
    Denon 1815-DVD Player
    Panamax M5500-EX-Line Conditioner
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Pondering....

    Sounds like a winner to me...

    May of sold me on it...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited December 2006
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:
    Pondering....

    Sounds like a winner to me...

    May of sold me on it...

    For me it's a no brainer, if and when I do this over again I will have a ML sub easily hidden away in one or two of my rooms corners.

    Dave
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    Sid -- what are looking to achieve with another sub? Greater musicality? A better HT experience?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Both - with volume
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2006
    I posted a review of the new SVS SB-12 I bought in the 2 ch section. I had originally tried a ML Grotto, and although I think it's a fantastic little sub, it didn't seem to be as musical and integrate with my Magnepan's like I wanted. The REL Strata III was much better, at $1500 vs. $1100 for the ML Grotto. After listening to the SVS SB-12 for a few days, and then taking it back to IA with me this weekend so I could compare it to the Grotto and REL head-to-head, everyone that listened agreed that for music the SVS SB-12 was better than the Grotto, and close enough to the REL to be a little scary considering the SVS is $750 vs the REL at twice the price. Now the ML Depth is another story, that thing rocks for HT!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Im really considering the Depth, the Grotto is a lil weak for me...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2006
    Unless its for HT only, I would also take a good look at the REL subs in the same price range. I think the REL will be much better for music.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    I want a dual purpose subwoofer - something that knocks your socks off for HT, thunderous - then quiet and refined for music...

    From what I understand, REL wouldnt be the ticket... geared 95% to music
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    Sid -- if you want a dual purpose sub, you're gonna have to strongly consider a VMPS subwoofer.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    The "Bigger Subwoofer" looks mighty impressive.. but Im not sure if I want a passive subwoofer... too many components, cables, blah blah...

    But the Bigger Subwoofer seems beast.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:
    The "Bigger Subwoofer" looks mighty impressive.. but Im not sure if I want a passive subwoofer... too many components, cables, blah blah...

    I just added a Behringer A500 pro amp to my DIY sub. Previously, I was using a plate amp. Do yourself a favor and get a separate amp to power your sub. It's another example of "better parts equals better sound." The difference in price between a plate amp and pro amp or monoblock is negligible.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Im not gonna knock the A500 amp... decent amp...

    But you should of spent the extra 80-90 bucks and got the EP1500 - twice the amp, easy that the A500 is...

    Im definitely gonna consider it, I got alot of time to think about it -- but if I got the VMPS sub, Id probally get a crown amp - Behringers are just as good, but seeing how many of those things flat out just dont work and die over time, Id spend a lil more to get the reliability...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    Couldn't pass up the A500 for the price I paid (used). For my woofer, only a little bit of power is needed to get it agitated.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Are you powering the ascendant with it? Using one channel or bridging?

    Its a solid amp for its price point, but Behringer - for whatever reason has their amps so tightly priced...for w/e reason... 179.99 - 274.99 - 349.99
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Oh yeah.. what are you using to cross your sub?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2006
    I'm using one channel to power the Ascendant. The receiver is used to cross the sub over at 80 Hz. No sub required for music.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Wow - that Ascendant is pretty effecient
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited December 2006
    Brad, you are an evil evil man..

    I think I may end up with a VMPS subwoofer and a Crown XLS amp...

    Does anyone know where I can get a xover module like SVS once sold?

    Man oh man... maybe a pair! - one on each channel... hahhaha - what fun.

    PS: I sent your MO out... I believe Tuesdayish...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2006
    Sid - check out the Paridigm X-30 crossover for subs. I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited December 2006
    Or you could take the really easy rout and get an inline X-over. They work remarkably well for the price and take up maybe 4" inline with your IC's and no power.
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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