Kinergetics SW200 rip-off ??


I recently bought a Kinergetics SW200 system through AudiogoN and after resolving the issue of grossly inaccurate description of the system's cosmetic condition (a seperate thread )I have gotten to the business of adding the subs to my system. I need help from you AudiogoNers in determining wether the system is actually working properly. My goal in purchasing the subs was to experiment with subs for the first time without spending much money. Now, I understand the issues of difficulty in blending with main speakers particularly when we're talking about speakers like the Stax F81 (electrostats). However the severerity of the broblems has surprised me, to the extent that I wonder if there isn't something wrong besides cosmetic problems. I chose the Kinergetics because it had gotten a fair amount of favorable attention a few years back, particularly in TAS; and I believe bass should be done in stereo. The following are some observations based on listening and the use of the Stereophile test CD: Speed is not as much of a problem as I had expected, it keeps up with the Stax fairly well. The quality of the bass is a problem: wooly, a little boomy, mediocre pitch definition. Extention is mediocre as well. Used with EAD7000DAC and Melos222C pre and volume pots on SW200 set at -18, output seems reasonable to 50hz. At 40hz there is a definite reduction in volume and some rattling begins. At 31.5hz previous output returns but rattling is now very dramatic. At 25hz output is greatly reduced is practically all rattle. At 20hz fuggetaboutit. In spite of all this I do mostly enjoy the new found bottom (the Stax give nothing to speak of below about 60hz in my room ), although not enough to want to deal with the other problems. The rattle is mostly not audible during music playback.I have been able to improve matters with different woofer cables, isolation etc. but the quality of the bass is just not rearly musical enough. I can't believe that they were as highly touted for use with Spicas and others as they were. The crossover, in spite of some reduction in soundstage volume, sounds reasonably transparent, a bit more electronic sound but again, not as bad as I expected. Comments and/or suggestions would be most appreciated. To the person who sold these: Your comments are welcomed as well.
frogman
Justlisten, good to hear from you again. I appreciated your comments the first time, but eventhough I strongly suspected that my attempts would lead to frustration, I decided to give the subwoofer thing a try. You obviously appreciate the great thing that the Stax's do; what a great speaker. But what a frustrating speaker it can be. Eventhough I could live with it's tonal balance, I'm bothered by it's leanness in the upper bass. Funny because I actually get better extention than I expected based on reviews. It's unfortunate because I have never before heard a midrange so rich and complete. Imaging is sensational in my room if with images perhaps a tiny bit reduced in size. If I could fill in the upper bass and the very lowest lower midrange, I could be extremely happy with this speaker. Have you had any experience with OTL's, I am currently using a pair of Manley Reference monos. My question now is: how much better than the Kinergetics subs are those by Rel or Hsu etc. at blending in with this very tonally accurate speaker. As I said before, speed is not really the problem. Rather it is the quality of the bass that bothers me. Not resolved enough. Too smeared and lacking inner detail. Is this perhaps something that all dynamic subs will be guilty of to varying degrees? Would appreciate any further comments.
frogman, again i suggest checking out vmps subs. give brian cheney, the owner/designer of vmps a call, after checking out his www. i also suggest checking out the reviews of the newform research r645 on audioreview, if ya like those e'stats so much, but mis the bass response.
frogman I used the f81's with Countepoint sa4 OTL's and got the itch for some upper bass. A friend would come into my listening room and mimic a musician giving the thumbs up to a the soundboard guy to turn up the bass. I tried going solid state with balls (DNA 1, Classe, etc) which only served to lose some of that mid magic. I then went the sub route and tried Muse18, and some lesser knowns which muddied up the mids and uppermids and also experinced what you did with the Kinergetics. In my opinion, the Stax is such a delicate sounding speaker using it with a sub just wont do it. I think if you tried an OTL, you'd fall deeper in love with this speaker, but still be looking for that elusive uppermid warmth and bass....good luck
Juslisten, I believe you're right. I have in fact been looking for a pair of SA4OTL's. Thanks for your comments.