Subs for Martin Loagn CLSIIs

If you cannot find the SW800 towers (5 10" drivers per speaker) you may be able to find the smaller SW800's (I think these had two of the same 10" SEAS per speaker). The key is getting the SW800C crossover which has software specific to the CLS. The Kinergetics system is the *only* sub system specifically designed for the CLS. The ML Decent and Depth subs are designed for later models (way different animals than the CLS) and really are appropriate for HT use, (even the guys at ML will tell you so).

Contrary to the usual approach of crossing over as low as possible, the Kinregetics/CLS combination is best crossing at 110htz with the 17db Butterworth high & low passes. Using tubes on the panels and ss on the subs sounds best to me. BTW, Tony DiChiro claims that the SW800's, due to their physical configuration and the crossover circuitry, approximated a line source down to 200 cycles when tested. In any event, the mini-Statement confirguration is the best I have heard with the CLS. I'd rather listen sans subs, which while different is quite good, if the SW800's are not an option. So, maybe looking for the smaller SW800's (with stands) is worth a try provided you get the dedicated crossover. The Genesis towers may the best option if you decide to "wing it". Good luck.

This is an area where audition is almost mandatory. I listened to a variety of top-flight subs last year and I was surprised that some of the top ones don't integrate well (or, perhaps, easily) with ML's - and I would think that the CLS would be even more difficult than the hybrids.

In particular I got a real demonstration from an Aerial, which is a terrific sub - but it sounded really terrible when matched with ML Odyssey. I think that something was goofed up in the crossover in this case, but it sure wasn't obvious how to fix it to either me or to the dealer. The respected HGS-18 is also a great sub but it's not fast enough for this application IMHO.

ML has a new less expensive sub out now called the Grotto - their subs are specifically designed to be fast in order to integrate with their fast panels. I've never heard it, though.

The best subs I had when I owned CLS were Celestion System 6000 dipole subs. Dipole bass is wonderful, and will naturally match the dipole nature of your speakers.

However, there are no current makers of dipole subs to the best of my knowledge. Fortunately, it is very easy to build one, much easier than traditional subs.

Here is a link that explains how:

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/proto.htm#PW1

I've also owned Entec subs and they are very good, but for a dipole speaker especially, I would go with a dipole sub.

I previously owned the CLS's setup with the Kinergic SW800's (SW800 Amps included). Does not get any better than that. Won best sound at CES several years ago.

I have since changed speakers (Watt/Puppy) for hometheater purposes, but still have the SW800's. Although they are setup for use with the Martin CLS specifically (i.e. specifically designed for the CLS by Kinergetics) they are great subs. Fast, powerfull etc. They work better than anything I have heard short of the 20K sub from Wilson Audio. You can feel them a block away. Don't think I'll ever get ride of them. Forget what I actually paid for them but it was significant back then. FIND A PAIR FOR YOUR CLS'S! THEY WILL GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS!

I have my CLS IIz's mated with Vandersteen 2wq subs. I did lots of research on this....and liked the fact that the Vandy subs draw their signal from the amp powering the logans....even though the subs are internally powered and draw no power from the external amp.

A crossover element produced by Vandersteen sits between the preamp and the amp.

The blending and tonal balance is superb.

Check out this link for a better explanation:

http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/2Wqlit.html