bigger woofer always better?

[insoc789]

I have a Boston Acoustics PV700 12" subwoofer 200rms watts. I heard a Martin Logan Dynamo 10" subwoofer 200rms watts. I was very impressed with the Martin Logan. It delivered a tigher bass and don´t know why it even sounds louder and stronger than the Boston Acoustics. Would you get rid off of the Boston Acoustics to have the Martin Logan one, even if the Boston Acoustics is a 12" and the Martin Logan a 10"? Thank you!

 

[BobbyT]

The quality of the woofer is more important than the size. A high quality 8 will sound better than a lesser quality 15. Amp and enclosure also have a lot to do with it.

As for getting rid of the BA for the MArtin Login, only you can determine if the sound is that much better to justify the cost.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Martin Logan arguably makes the best sounding subwoofers based on driver and cabinet size. They are extremely expensive, but hard to beat for sq.

 

[rolyasm]

It is kind of like ice cream. If you like one flavor, or sub, over another, I say get it if you like it that much better. If the cost is worth the sound difference you are hearing, then there you are. Keep in mind subs are very positional, so one sub could have coincidentally been optimized for the space it was it versus the other. I would listen from several placement postions and determine if you get the same results.
Roly

 

[BBrunner]

The only thing that matters is how it sounds to YOU. What we say hear really makes no difference. All we can do is help you in your decision making by making recommendations (though they may not be what you are looking for) and sharing our experiences with you. So here goes:

If you prefer the Martin Logan, then go for it. However, as rolyasm mentioned, you need to be careful and weed out the voodoo and snake oil that the audio dealer may feed you. To rule out those things, ask if you can get an in home demo of the sub. Then you will really know how it sounds compared to the Boston.

 

[Sheep]

If both the woofers were equally designed, then yes, a larger woofer will not have to work as hard thusly lowering THD and extending deeper.

In this case, the Martin Logan woofer is MUCH better. More linear travel, lower response, etc etc etc.

I would see if you can do an In-home session, that way YOU can decide if there is a difference.

SheepStar

 

[patnshan]

There is a reason SVS and Hsu do not market woofers larger than 12 inch. I would say that in general, they cannot move as fast. Not being an engineer, I have no idea what that means scientifically

Pat

 

[Sheep]

There is a reason SVS and Hsu do not market woofers larger than 12 inch. I would say that in general, they cannot move as fast. Not being an engineer, I have no idea what that means scientifically

Pat

*buzzer sound* Wrong.

A large woofer can "react" (don't say slow, it hurts us all) just as fast as an 8inch, all you need to do it design it properly. Larger magnet, Bigger voice coil, More powerful Amp.

Its simple, but only Velodyne actually does it right.

SheepStar

 

[westcott]

I have been extremely impressed with the Martin Logan subwoofers and would consider them some of the best after some of the recent auditioning I did with the Depth and it uses 8" drivers. Sheep is half right, subwoofers can be designed to respond properly with little distortion, but Velodyne is not the only one that gets it right. IMO, many of the servo feedback subwoofers on the market are on the right track, especially the sealed enclosures or those using passive radiators.

 

[patnshan]

*buzzer sound* Wrong.

A large woofer can "react" (don't say slow, it hurts us all) just as fast as an 8inch, all you need to do it design it properly. Larger magnet, Bigger voice coil, More powerful Amp.

Its simple, but only Velodyne actually does it right.

SheepStar

OK. I knew I've heard that before, not sure where.

I did find this article that seems to sum up what you said in more detail:

http://www.soundstage.com/maxdb/maxdb061999.htm

Thanks,

Pat

 

[zipper]

One thing I noticed when searching for a sub was that I didn't find many smaller subs that would reach below 30Hz. I'd love to add a ML sub to my system but I'd have to question myself as to whether I could do just as well w/o paying ML prices.

 

[Sheep]

OK. I knew I've heard that before, not sure where.

I did find this article that seems to sum up what you said in more detail:

http://www.soundstage.com/maxdb/maxdb061999.htm

Thanks,

Pat

Good find! That will come in handy with the subwoofer questions!

SheepStar

 

[fredejo]

this is a little off subject, but what about JL's new subs, they are known for SQ, house shaking bass, & are in the martin logan price range. 4" of throw cant be bad... sorry, i have been looking at JL, ML, & velodyne myself....

 

[mulester7]

One thing I noticed when searching for a sub was that I didn't find many smaller subs that would reach below 30Hz. I'd love to add a ML sub to my system but I'd have to question myself as to whether I could do just as well w/o paying ML prices.

.....Zipper, a sub has a high range, and a low range that it's graded on, at least in my view....Martin Logan subs use 10 and 8 inch elements exclusively, and stand to have a very good and tight high range "voice" because of the 10 and 8 inch elements....in the Descent and Depth models, they use three 10 and 8 inch elements to achieve the low range response....there's no doubt in my mind those two models would be very good to use in a system, but good grief, look at the price....and I WILL have two subs up front in my system, so considering Martin Logan Descent's or Depth's at a pair, now look at THAT price....subs are wonderful, sure, but they should "only" be viewed as an extension of the main's regiment....I've said it many times, and here it is again....were I to have to start over, I would get two SVS PB10's and be done with it for under a grand to my door....I would get the tight high range "voice" with 10 inch elements, and the low end down to 18 cycles from a slightly oversized box....lastly, get the right main's regiment speakers that are solid down to 50-60 hz, and the job of the subs is made easier, but subs should only be viewed as an extension....

 

[Sheep]

this is a little off subject, but what about JL's new subs, they are known for SQ, house shaking bass, & are in the martin logan price range. 4" of throw cant be bad... sorry, i have been looking at JL, ML, & velodyne myself....

The JL subs are EXPENSIVE! I would rather recommed an Hsu or SVS subwoofer. Plus, I want to see numbers on them. All they have is (bogus)power ratings.

SheepStar

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The JL subs are EXPENSIVE! I would rather recommed an Hsu or SVS subwoofer. Plus, I want to see numbers on them. All they have is (bogus)power ratings.

SheepStar

Why would short term RMS power be bogus? Without knowing specific specs, they could state anything right now. Those subs are only supposed to go down to 22Hz from what I've read.

 

[Sheep]

Why would short term RMS power be bogus? Without knowing specific specs, they could state anything right now. Those subs are only supposed to go down to 22Hz from what I've read.

3800WRMS short term? NOPE! Not possible.

SheepStar

 

[TAINT]

3800WRMS short term? NOPE! Not possible.

SheepStar

It would light up like a light bulb. I don't listen to light bulbs, so I can't comment on their SQ.

 

[mulester7]

I don't listen to light bulbs, so I can't comment on their SQ.

.....Taint, even if you did, a review using blindfolds while listening to light bulbs would be found and your comment would be branded irrelevant.....

 

[fredejo]

sheep - you recommend hsu or svs, but u have a velodyne sub (good review by the way), any reason u went velodyne over svs??? was that velodyne better than the svs's in the same price range? (i am down to either a velodyne spl1200 or an svs.)