2. speakers
  3. 1153971341

Subwoofer help: ACI, Von Schweikert, Martin Logan

Hello,

I am once again looking for some assitance on choosing a sub that will be used primarily for 2 channel music but occasionally for movie watching. I am currently using Consonance Eric Grand speakers that I absolutely love but I know they cannot get the very bottom frequencies as they go down to 42hz.

They have very quick, tight, and focused bass response which I really enjoy. They are not bloated or boomy in any way. I am looking for a sub to really fill in the lowest frequencies.

I previously owned a Martin Logan Grotto and really enjoyed it but would like to spend less than its $1000 retail. The ML Grotto had a great deal of flexibility and fairly high WAF. I auditioned a Von Schweikert VRS1 in the past and think it does a lot of things very well. The new company I am considering is ACI and am looking at their Force XL and possibly the Titan XL. How do they stack up to the Von Schweikert and ML subs? Thanks for your help.
nicksgem10s

Showing 3 responses by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
If your main is quick, and you can stretch your budget 2-3 hundred dollars, you'd be well advised to go with a (used) ML Depth.

You didn't mention your room size, but you should only need one, and placed right between your mains. I think the "Balanced Force" driver placement is the best sub design innovation in years.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Bob, the ML Depth does indeed provide (line level, not speaker cable) high-pass outputs, if so desired. At 40Hz, 70Hz, and "none". The "none" position is to daisy-chain another Depth onto the first. Then you use the high-pass outs on the last sub to go to your main amp.

My experience has been that I get best performance when I allow the main speakers, whatever they are, to run full range, and then bring in the sub just the slightest amount necessary, so that it's only noticed if it's suddenly turned off.

Naturally , phase, cut-off freq., and x-over slope must be properly adjusted to match the mains as well as the room.

The Depth also provides a second set of line level ins and outs to be driven by the LFE (low frequency effects) ouputs of a (separate) 5.1 processor. These inputs are signal sensing and mute the "regular" 2-channel inputs when you are playing surround material through a processor.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Bob, (you mean the built in high pass filter, don't you?) Anyway I run a 24' pair of SE Straightwire Maestros to my Depth, and it's as quiet as a chair. The Descent has XLRs, as I'm sure you know. I just happen to like the speed of the Depth.

From the Depth to my main power amp is only a meter, so that piece of IC wouldn't cost much more, if I wanted to do it that way, which I don't -- I have another 24' pair of Purist XLRs going to the main amp, since I run the CLSs full range anyway.

I thought Ken Kreisels article was interesting, especially the part about one sub for all bass being preferable in a control room environment. BTW, that nifty "MK" logo? Designed for them by yours truly about forty years ago!
More to discover