MartinLogan Revamps Dynamo Subwoofers

MartinLogan recently launched the next generation of their Dynamo subwoofer series, and Audioholics was lucky enough to attend the launch event at the Starpower Luxury Living Showroom in Dallas, TX. The original Dynamo subs turned out to be the best-selling product in MartinLogan’s history, so they decided to follow it up with something special that could live up to that product’s success. I was surprised to learn that subwoofers were MartinLogan’s best-selling product, since MartinLogan is most well-known for their curved electrostatic speakers. The representatives for MartinLogan reasoned that people enjoyed their subwoofers so much because MartinLogan already had to learn how to make responsive woofers that had a fast enough transient response to keep up with their electrostatic panels. Making a high-performing subwoofer was simply a matter of deploying their cone driver technology separate from the ESL panels.

There was a lot to like about MartinLogan’s original Dynamo subwoofer series, as we saw in our review of the 1500X, however, that was some time ago. Times have changed since then and technology has progressed, but MartinLogan has decided to stay ahead of the curve by totally redoing the Dynamo subwoofers with a plethora of new technologies and performance enhancements. The most prominent technology improvements place an emphasis on wireless connectivity and control. While sometimes wireless control can only be mildly useful, some of the features onboard the new Dynamo X subwoofers look to be innovative in a way that is majorly helpful.

MartinLogan has allocated most control of the Dynamo subwoofers to a smartphone app (with the exception of the Dynamo 400 which uses conventional panel controls) that is compatible for iOS and Android devices. The ‘MartinLogan Sub Control App’ has all of the conventional control functionality of regular panel controls and a few neat features that are well outside the ability of conventional subwoofers. Basic functions controlled by the MartinLogan Sub Control App can control the volume, low-pass filters, phase, low-frequency boost (that can elevate the 20-30 Hz region by +/-10 dB), and can access preset listening modes. One unique and useful feature of the MartinLogan Sub Control App is the ability to run a tone sweep from 20 Hz to 120 Hz that allows the user to pause and hold the tone at any frequency in this range. This feature allows the user to identify points of audible rattling and vibrations in room. This has always been such a pervasive problem with low-frequency reproduction and it's difficult to believe that this is the first time a subwoofer has included a feature like this. The MartinLogan Sub Control App can control a multitude of subs independently. The App also has helpful explanations for every control so the user isn’t forced to refer back to the manual to understand every aspect that can be changed.

Built In Anthem ARC Room Correction

Another majorly useful feature is the ARC Mobile App. Audioholics previewed the Anthem ARC Mobile App with good results. ARC is the highly-regarded room correction equalization software developed by the audio electronics manufacturer Anthem, and the ARC Mobile App brings that equalization functionality to Android and iOS devices. For ARC-enabled speakers such as MartinLogan’s new Dynamo subwoofers, ARC Mobile uses the microphone of the iOS or Android device to record the frequency response of the subwoofer in-room. ARC’s algorithm then forms a correction curve which is sent to the subwoofer for a more linear and smoother sound at the listening position. Since low-frequencies are the band that is most dramatically affected by room acoustics, this can be particularly helpful in gaining an even, neutral response. The ARC Mobile App makes it simple to EQ troublesome room modes that are the plague of subwoofer frequency bands.

The new Dynamo subwoofers (excluding the Dynamo 400) are compatible with MartinLogan’s SWT-X Wireless Subwoofer System (which is sold separately), so that the subwoofers do not need a physical wire for the signal. Omitting the need for the signal cable can greatly increase the availability of potential placements for the sub, and since the placement of the subwoofer is so critical in getting a good sound from it, this can be a very significant assist in sound quality. The SWT-X Wireless System uses 2.4 GHz dynamic frequency selection and error correction. The receiver end of the SWT-X system is powered by the subwoofer itself and so does not need to be plugged into a power outlet. The SWT-X Wireless Subwoofer System has a 50-foot range, so it should be able to handle any conventional home room size without problem.

Dynamo 800X Backpanel (left pic) ; Dynamo 1100X (right pic)

Dynamo Revamp Details Revealed

Nearly every aspect of the Dynamo subs have been dramatically changed and improved over the previous generation. The drivers have undergone some major improvements in particular. They have more powerful, massive motors and now use inverted surrounds. MartinLogan claims that inverted surrounds allows more linear travel than conventional surrounds. The amplifiers have gained more power over previous generation equivalents and use class-D amps with high-power switching power supplies incorporating high-quality MOSFET transistors, noise-suppression networks, and control circuitry.

One neat feature that has remained from the previous Dynamo subs is the ability for the user to switch the sub from front-firing to down-firing thanks to the repositional feet. This is a great feature that accommodates those of us who like to watch that bass driver in action and also great for those who want the driver hidden to protect it from children and pets. The feet themselves can be converted from soft rubber tips that keep the sub in position on hard surfaces to spiked feet for use on carpeted surfaces without staining or leaving imprints on the carpet. This is another nice detail that we are surprised we haven’t seen on any sub before. 

Dynamo Sub Range Looks Promising

The new Dynamo subs range in price from $400 to $1,700. Coincidentally, the model numbers almost correspond to their USA MSRP. The Dynamo 400 is approximately $400, the Dynamo 600X is $600, the Dynamo 800X is $800, the Dynamo 1100X is $1,100, but the Dynamo 1600X breaks this trend at $1,700. This is only coincidence though, since other parts of the world will have MSRP in their own currency that will not match model numbers. Of the five Dynamo subs, three are sealed (800X, 1100X, and 1600X) and two are ported (400, 600X). Cone sizes range from 8” on the 400 to 15” on the 1600X, and amplifier power ranges from 75 watts to 900 watts (continuous ratings) throughout this line-up. The Dynamo series covers a wide range of performance and features for subwoofer shoppers. Someone who wants a powerhouse where performance is primary can look at the beastly 1600X, while someone who needs to be more mindful of floorspace and aesthetics will want something less obtrusive and can choose the petite 800X.  

Sadly, the new Dynamo subs only come in one finish: Satin Black. Like Henry Ford famously said of the Model T: “You can have any color as long as it is black.” I asked Devin Zell, the marketing manager at MartinLogan, about the lack of finish options, and he said that other finishes are not nearly as sought after. People seem to want subwoofers to be a flat black. I can’t fault MartinLogan for this if people just aren’t interested in other finishes. The new Dynamo subs look to give consumers a nice array of new choices for their bass, and, at first glance, we are impressed with what MartinLogan has brought to the market. We will be getting a more in depth experience since plans for a full review of two of the new Dynamo subs are already in the works. Given what we saw and heard at MartinLogan’s launch event, we are looking forward to getting our hands on these interesting new products. 

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.