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!

 

 

 

128x128navyachts

Have you ever experimented with the rake angle of your speakers?  Lowe’s sells plastic shims that make this very easy; try a downward tilt.  You may also want to shorten the distance from your listening position to the speakers.

My CLXs are bolt upright (to within 0.1 degree using a digital level) and are with exactly zero toe-in and exactly the same distance from the front wall (5-6 feet) and the side walls, using a laser "tape" measure.  Speakers and I are set-up in an approximate equilateral triangle.  I can measure for you if you think it matters. 

FWIW-perhaps the best sound I had from my CLSs was firing down the long axis of my then living room and having the speakers in the middle of the that vector, at the suggestion of Michael Green.  It only works in some living situation and with a very easy going partner, lol

My CLXs are bolt upright (to within 0.1 degree using a digital level) and are with exactly zero toe-in and exactly the same distance from the front wall (5-6 feet) and the side walls, using a laser "tape" measure. Speakers and I are set-up in an approximate equilateral triangle.

No need to measure thanks. I can do all of that except get the speakers 5 - 6 feet out into the room. I would have no room left! But just for fun, when the wife is at work tomorrow, I may just give it a shot!

ML recommends the rear of the box to be 0nly 10" off the back wall for the 11As (I’m a tad more than that) and 24" off the side walls. I’m 24" off the left side and open to a kitchen on the right. I usually set the toe in with ML’s flashlight method to begin then move them around accordingly. My wife likes them toed in a bit more. Again, I will play around with this tomorrow. Thanks for all your suggestions!

@elliottbnewcombjr interesting, thanks. Tough to find any reviews on them, been around since at least 2012.