Well I finally did it and added a pair of subwoofers to my Acoustat electrostatic speakers. My Acoustats have a switch on the interface which allows the speakers to run full range (the way I ran them for the last 15 years), or to cut everything below100 hertz off of the panels and send a full range signal out via binding post to an external subwoofer (at speaker level). Acoustat actually produced a sub that was often sold as a package with the Spectra 22 and 33 speakers. I was always concerned about integrating subs with the panels, but after a recent health scare I finally decided it was now or maybe never.
I chose the new Martin Logan Dynamo 10 for several reasons:
1) They were affordable at under Canadian $3K for a pair, so if things didn’t work out I would not be out a lot and I could move them along easily.
2) With a sealed 10 inch woofer, I hoped they would be “fast” enough to keep up with the panels and play easily up to 100 hertz.
3) They are small at basically a 12 inch cube and look great, but are not flimsy at 43 pounds.
4) Martin Logan produces electrostatic speakers with woofers so their subwoofers should be easy to integrate with electrostatic speakers.
5) They subwoofers are controlled with an app from your seat which allows full control of the subwoofer, including volume, low pass filter (frequency and slope), and fully variable phase from 0 to 180 degrees in one degree intervals, and more. You can even buy a microphone and use Anthem Room Correction (may try this).
It’s only been a week or so, and I’m still doing a little fine tuning, but I am very happy I finally did this. The app is a pleasure to use with independent control of each subwoofer. Bass is tight and powerful down to 25 hertz or so. Never had bass this low in my system. And the panels, relieved of producing low bass notes, sound more open, purer and dynamic. The system is now effectively biamped with all the benefits that brings. Imagining is also improved, with the added low frequency room cues. The only thing I’m considering is raising the subs maybe 10 inches or so off the floor to more closely align their output with the panels.
The Martin Logan Dynamo 10 Subwoofer is a great little sub and a great value. Highly Recommended!
I chose the new Martin Logan Dynamo 10 for several reasons:
1) They were affordable at under Canadian $3K for a pair, so if things didn’t work out I would not be out a lot and I could move them along easily.
2) With a sealed 10 inch woofer, I hoped they would be “fast” enough to keep up with the panels and play easily up to 100 hertz.
3) They are small at basically a 12 inch cube and look great, but are not flimsy at 43 pounds.
4) Martin Logan produces electrostatic speakers with woofers so their subwoofers should be easy to integrate with electrostatic speakers.
5) They subwoofers are controlled with an app from your seat which allows full control of the subwoofer, including volume, low pass filter (frequency and slope), and fully variable phase from 0 to 180 degrees in one degree intervals, and more. You can even buy a microphone and use Anthem Room Correction (may try this).
It’s only been a week or so, and I’m still doing a little fine tuning, but I am very happy I finally did this. The app is a pleasure to use with independent control of each subwoofer. Bass is tight and powerful down to 25 hertz or so. Never had bass this low in my system. And the panels, relieved of producing low bass notes, sound more open, purer and dynamic. The system is now effectively biamped with all the benefits that brings. Imagining is also improved, with the added low frequency room cues. The only thing I’m considering is raising the subs maybe 10 inches or so off the floor to more closely align their output with the panels.
The Martin Logan Dynamo 10 Subwoofer is a great little sub and a great value. Highly Recommended!
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