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!

 

 

 

navyachts

The M1 as network player. My Coda preamp is up for grabs as well. I'm using the M1 for that too. I like separates the most, but I want some decent subs as well, so it's a bit of a tradeoff.
 

I encourage you to spend a very good amount of time using the Bricasti network renderer before you sell your Aurender N200. I’ve used the M3 long enough to realize how crappy the network card is as a streamer (used as Roon endpoint as well as with Mcinnect). When I bought my N200 it just blew away the network renderer without breaking a sweat using the stock USB cable that I found in the Aurender box. I’ve gone back and forth many times and there’s just simply no comparison. 
I’ve also used the M3 preamp section. The Bricadti is excellent as far as DAC preamp sections go but it just doesn’t compete with a good preamp when it comes to soundstage layering and depth. The presentation is more natural with a preamp as well. 

I would just pick up a good tube preamp to use with the Coda amp. 
 

I owned CSiB and it’s an amazing amplifier (same amp as your No.8). It is fast, articulate, engaging and super clear sounding. No grain, no glare. 

I think selling your N200 to buy a sub is a mistake. Selling your Coda preamp gives you options - try a good tube pre ir get a sub. Just my opinion. 

@rauliruegas thank you for the compliments sir. 

A pair of Martin Logan Montis with powered woofers were the speakers I replaced with the Sabrinas.

I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. Problem is, every room is different. Every listener is different. What is OPs point of reference for bass? Is it a live concert? Is it the bass he gets in his car? 
Let’s keep in mind the high end speaker manufacturers have an objective to make the speaker sound as coherent as possible in a variety of rooms. That usually means they’re after accurate sound more than they are after blowing your wig off with bass. Quality over quantity  


As to Martin Logans they’re not easy to set up properly due to being dipole with powered woofers. I’ve heard several models including 12A and 13A in different rooms with diff components. There was no lack of bass.

Wilsons are difficult to place correctly as well due to time alignment - sensitive to placement changes less than an inch depending on where they are in a room. I can place my speakers to overload the room with bass. That’s easy. Most difficult is to find placement that provides coherent presentation. 
The only thing we can do is try to strike that balance.

Then there are variables such as type of music you listen to and recording quality. 

@audphile1 Thanks, I will heed your advice!

@rauliruegas Thank you for the tips on the SVS SB16. I know with the RELs they prefer placement either on the inside or the outside of the main speakers. Do you think this would be the case with a pair of the SVS's or would I have to revert to the "Crawl Method" and place these where I find nulls in the room? I presume you also prefer wired subs over wireless?

The other subs I was considering were the KEF KC92s. Two 9" balanced forced woofers. Any though on these?

KEF KC92

@rauliruegas would this be sufficient alternative to the SVS SB16?

SVS SB4000

I was only considering the physical dimensions; it's a little bit smaller. Or would the 16 be the way to go?

 

You can feed the sub from your preamp RCA out if you’re using XLR outs to drive the amp