Martin Logan vs SVS

[Roy Zander]

I have a home theater of all Martin Logan hybrids. My subs consist of a Snell 12" passive sealed THX unit, a Polk powered 10" and an Energy 8" powered. Not very happy. The whole system has plenty of bass, but the accuracy escapes me.
I'm looking at the Martin Logan subs - the Dynamo 1500x and, for a while the Power force 212s. I also liked the SVS SB 13 Ultras. I decided the Power forces were overdoing it. Upon an expert friends advice, I've ordered the Martin Logan Dynamo 1500x, because they have the research behind them and would most likely sound best with the rest of the Martin Logans. I couldn't, however, give up on the sealed, compact SVS SB 13 ultras, either. So I ordered both. I'm putting them at opposite ends of the room. I'm hoping this is not a mistake. I also ordered the Perfect Bass Kit calibration tool.
Can anyone offer any advice?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Is there a question somewhere?
As for is this a mistake? I don't know how to answer since there are multiple mistakes:
a) Mixing and matching different subs is possible, but extremely hard to do right.
b) 10" Polk is crap and should be sold, gifted (to your worse enemy) or salvation army written off.
c) Energy made some decent subs - very much depends on the model, but this 8" is best serviced in your kids small bedroom
d) I think Martin Logan Dynamo 1500x is solid performing sub, but it's price vs performance is what I question - this sub could deliver same (or likely more bass) for 1/2 price - http://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/gamma-15?variant=1107629493
e) SVS SB13U is another fine sub - likely the most powerful of the bunch - but again - I doubt you needed it.

Perfect bass kit - i don't much about it, but seems like it could be useful or useless depends on your AVR model - Audyssey XT32 and Especially with SubEQ would make this kit obsolete, but if you don't have such AVR then this kit could be very helpful tunning the subs to your room

and finally - the only thing you did 100% right is placing sub near opposite walls.
Great book related to subject and many important topics related to home audio
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reproduction-Acoustics-Psychoacoustics-Loudspeakers/dp/0240520092

 

[rojo]

Sounds to me like you might have some unpleasant room reflections causing some ringing. Have you given any thought to the acoustics of the room? Do you have padded pile carpet or smooth flooring? Fabric window treatments? Potted plants? Is the room closed on all 4 walls, or does it open into a kitchen / dining room? If you clap your hands, does the clap ring for half a second or more? If your room is exceptionally live, the Perfect Bass Kit probably won't work any miracles. You might need to reduce the reflections in your room with some decorations.

 

[Montucky]

Sounds to me like you might have some unpleasant room reflections causing some ringing. Have you given any thought to the acoustics of the room? Do you have padded pile carpet or smooth flooring? Fabric window treatments? Potted plants? Is the room closed on all 4 walls, or does it open into a kitchen / dining room? If you clap your hands, does the clap ring for half a second or more? If your room is exceptionally live, the Perfect Bass Kit probably won't work any miracles. You might need to reduce the reflections in your room with some decorations.

Good points. It's amazing the improvements one can get from dialing in room acoustics. Personally, I'd start with that and THEN think about changing out equipment if you're still not quite satisfied with the sound.

 

[KEW]

Room treatments are definitely a good idea, but I have to believe with the articulation your hybrids offer, the amount of low-end slop in most subs is all the more apparent.
Since you will have both the ML and the SVS in house, you should run a comparison first and if you determine one is sloppier than the other, return it and get a second of the better.
In my experience the correlation between these graphs and a clean sub is very good. If you look at the ML, you will see the sound pressure level is still at 80db beyond 50ms. Frankly this is poor performance for a sealed sub, especially at that price. In comparison, the SVS is below 80dB within 20ms (not the best, but competent, and much better than the ML).

Impulse response/decay measurements by Jim Wilson:

Martin Logan Dynamo 1500X

SVS SB13 Ultra

Had you asked for suggestions of a musical sub to complement your electrostatic speakers, I would suggest the Rythmik E15Hp (or F15HP):

or if your budget is tight, the PSA XS15se:

So, I am betting that you will find the SVS a keeper and return the ML (hope you can).