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

@navyachts : " And would they be on the inside or the outside on the FL/FR speakers? "

 

With all respect that is a question you don’t need to make due that even if the other gentleman could has the same ML model as you the ROOM and probably the whole system chain linksand his preferences are different ( even the wife, if any. ).

 

Today subs come with a true advanced DSP electronic/software tool to integrates subs to almost any speaker room/system.

Look, my Velodyne models ( old ones. ) has no those tools and I took 1+ year to achieve where I’am today. I tested/try: behind the speakers, at side of the speakers, back between speakers, front between speakers.

My room is an inverted L shape so one of the speakers has not a near side wall. Finally the Velodyne’s are seated exactly near and in front of each speaker and subs are side firing ( the 15" woofers. ) in between , clearly not an orthodox positions

 

Btw, phase at 180º .

 

R.

 

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Dear firends all of you: We have to remdember that MUSIC belongs to the bass range and as better our room/system bass management as better the whole quality levels of the Room/system reproduction.

 

Other issue is that MUSIC starts ( rithm, dynamic power, natural color, natural agresiveness and brihtness, etc, etc,, nuances, ) with a fast TRANSIENT RESPONSE where the first " beat "in any instrument is the one that will makes a " rigth " harmonics development in all frequency ranges.

 

So name of the MUSIC is TR and only subwoofers can do it in the bass low range.

 

R.

@ricred1 I feel the need to sincerely apologize to you yet again - and to thank you for answering my question.

 

My apologies