1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 192220-145382

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
navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
654 posts
 

@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

navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
654 posts
 

@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?

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,064 posts
 

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

navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
654 posts
 

@audphile1 I see the Coda has 2 RCA outs (L/R) and the M1 only has 1 (L/R) out. Is it better to have the two outs if you're running two subwoofers?

Hmm, maybe I should I keep the Coda? 

The RELs leads hook up to the power amps speaker's output connections, but I think I have been talked out of RELs.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,064 posts
 

I wouldn’t sell any components if I were you. You may regret it.
Try a sub first from the dealer that has a good return policy (Music Direct, Upscale, Crutchfield). You can use the Coda preamp to drive the sub(s) if you have 2 RCA outs. See how it works with your preamp. 
Also…your dealer stating the woofers in the ML speakers aren’t fast he’s full of 💩 

ML finally, after many years, were able to get the panel/woofer integration correct. 

More to discover