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Subwoofers for Martin Logan CLX's

A good friend has Martin Logan CLX’s He is looking for new Subwoofers currently runs top model REL’s but they are getting older (10 years+) now and he has the desire to upgrade. Current REL prices have gone up quite a bit for what he wants. I think he said they went from $9k to $14k each for the model they recommend for the speakers/room size. He needs two but is having issue buying due to the current pricing/tariff’s etc increases (about 35% here in Canada). He’s also considering the new, yet to be released, Logan Subs. But they have not given details on when they maybe available.

I told him I’d ask you fine folks what top model sub’s are now out there that would be a good match to the CLX’s. Noting he’s not interested in lower end models. His system is in the $300k range so matching gear is top quality.  He is not looking at the largest Rel’s I think he’s considering the ones just below for size reasons, he’s in a smaller room, 16’ x 18’ I believe but it’s a dedicated and treated room.

Any suggestions for subs, lets say in the $8k-$20k price range?

glennewdick
maam522a
163 posts
 

I really like the way the Rythmik subwoofer(s) integrate with my Maggies.

jbsqg
13 posts
 

 

Please don't laugh (too hard)

It's not exactly state of the art but I use a single Janis W1 sub with Acoustat 3 speakers and it is a great match. It's very fast and blends really well when crossed over at about 50Hz. I would not recommend using it with its original Interphase amplifier because it shrinks the soundstage among other things. I'm sure that the Rythmik is amazing but the Janis with a decent crossover and amp, or even a Dayton subwoofer amp fed at speaker level sounds wonderful. A Marchand Sub amp would be perfect. I first bought one in the early eighties but sold it. The one that I use now cost me $41.00. The slot-loading and short-excursion driver permit the Janis to mate well with electrostatics in a non-EDM oriented system. Well, that concludes the low-budget section of today's discussion.

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick OP
1,987 posts
 

Thanks so far for the recommendations. Just to clarify my friends not interested in budged level subwoofers. I don’t think he will even consider lower level gear at this point or DYI options. His tastes and budget are in the upper audio gear level. I can’t see him buying an entry level subwoofer when he already has RELs top models from ten years ago. He’s looking for an upgrade to what he already has. He will most likely buy two REL sub at $30,000 if I can’t convince him to change directions. I’d like him to buy some OB servo subs from GR reasurch but he is hard to convince a sub below $2000 will out perform the top REL’s. But I’m trying. 

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,442 posts
 

Let your friend buy whatever RELs he wants.  I'm not sure why he thinks the latest models are a sonic upgrade.  He might also consider stacking 3 or 4 RELs to a channel if he really wants to take it to the next level.

soix
11,250 posts
 

Sounds like he’s already made up his mind, but if it’s me I’d strongly consider four of their S Series subs in a swarm over two Reference Series subs for about the same price.  Four really good subs will outperform two excellent subs in room IMHO because physics is physics (read foremost sub expert Todd Welti’s research for more info on why).  He won’t do it but just wanted to throw it out there FWIW.

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