MartinLogan New Foundation, Dynamo, Abyss Subwoofers First Impressions!

Many of us associate MartinLogan with electrostatic speakers and their super-airy high frequencies. But almost all of the brand’s electrostatic speakers are hybrid designs with powered woofers, so the company has decades of experience designing powered, cone-in-box reproducers of bass. MartinLogan’s standalone subs have been consistently excellent, earning praise from Audioholics, the Stereophile crowd and the home theater buffs alike. But it was still something of a surprise when MartinLogan showed up at Audio Advice Live 2024 with not one, but three new subwoofer lines, each comprising two models. 

The Dynamo Foundation Series is the entry-level offering, starting at just $500. The Dynamo Series moves things up a notch in terms of power, design, and DSP tech. Finally, the Abyss Series aims to set a new benchmark in compact bass performance. Chief Audioholic Gene DellaSala was there in person to see and hear what these new subs can do and includes his listening impressions at the end of this article.

We're thrilled to offer high-quality audio solutions at an exceptional value while preserving everything that makes MartinLogan unique. Our newest subwoofers exemplify our commitment to innovation and excellence in audio engineering. With their design for seamless integration with any brand of speaker, they are a versatile choice that enhance any home audio system.

— Allan Tarrant, Senior Vice President of MartinLogan

We are excited to bring powerful, precision bass into homes in a way that complements any environment. Each model has been meticulously engineered to deliver a unique sonic and visual experience.

— Andrew Lindsey, Product Manager at MartinLogan

Dynamo Foundation Series

Described by MartinLogan as powerful, compact, and precise, the Dynamo Foundation Series includes the Dynamo Foundation 10 ($499.99) and Dynamo Foundation 12 ($699.99). These are sealed designs with down-firing drivers, engineered to “deliver superior audio quality, combining advanced technology with sophisticated design to enhance home entertainment experiences,” according to MartinLogan. We’re told that despite their accessible prices, these subs integrate high-performance components typically reserved for high-end audio systems. They use a 200MHz DSP engine with 56-bit processing, ensuring that “each note and beat is reproduced with remarkable clarity and precision,” according to the company. The smaller Foundation 10 features a 10-inch Ultra-Rigid Polypropylene (URP) woofer with a stamped steel basket, and a Magnitude 400 amplifier rated at 200 watts RMS, 400 watts peak. The Foundation 12 naturally features a 12-inch woofer, driven by the Magnitude 700 amplifier rated at 350 watts RMS, 700 watts peak. MartinLogan says to expect “clean, impactful bass and effortless musicality” from these subs, which have reportedly been “tuned to perfection, delivering robust, deep bass with minimal distortion, even at high volumes.”

Audioholics reviewed several of the last generation Dynamo subs and found them to be competent performers within their size/price class and very musical which can be seen in our group delay measurements in the subs.

Thanks to their compact proportions and grille-less down-firing design, these subs don’t call much attention to themselves visually. They are finished in brushed black vinyl with high-gloss tops (reminding me a bit of the REL Serie HT subwoofers (REL’s New ‘Serie HT’ Subwoofers Deliver High-Value Home Theater Thrills). MartinLogan says they are equally at home in living room audio systems and dedicated home theater setups, and that being the case, they feature both an LFE input and stereo RCA inputs for compatibility with various types of gear. MartinLogan also says that these subs have been designed to complement the high-value Motion Foundation Series speakers, which launched in 2023, though they can of course be used with speakers from other brands. Although these are MartinLogan’s most affordable subs, they were still designed using state-of-the-art Klippel analysis and rigorous engineering to ensure “pristine sound, free from distortion and artifacts,” according to the company. Expect high-performance, low-distortion bass, and solid value from the Dynamo Foundation Series. Both subs can work with MartinLogan’s optional WSK-1 Wireless Subwoofer Kit ($99.99, sold separately), which eliminates cable clutter and provides additional placement flexibility.

Dynamo Series

Moving up to the Dynamo Series brings obvious improvements in aesthetics, with Gloss Black or Satin White finishes. The Dynamo name recalls one of MartinLogan’s most popular products of all time – the original Dynamo subwoofer. These all-new Dynamo Series subwoofers aim to meld the classic virtues of “flawless precision and compact elegance,” which made the original Dynamo such a killer product, with the latest technologies and innovations that MartinLogan has to offer. The Dynamo subs promise seamless integration with MartinLogan’s thin-film technologies, thanks in part to their high-output, high-precision aluminum woofers, which were meticulously tuned to deliver distortion-free bass. Keeping pace with the speed and clarity of electrostats is not something that every sub can do. (I’ve also seen MartinLogan subs paired with other challenging speakers, like Magnepans.) Both the amplification and the DSP used in these subs represent significant upgrades over the less expensive Dynamo Foundation subs. The Dynamo 10 ($999.99) features MartinLogan’s proprietary Magnitude 1kW amp, rated at 500 watts RMS, 1000 watts peak. 

The larger Dynamo 12 ($1,499.99) features the even beefier Magnitude 1.6kW amp, rated at 800 watts RMS, 1,600 watts peak. Both models use a class-leading, ultra high-resolution 500MHz DSP engine with 64-bit processing, enabling “complete audible transparency for all advanced DSP functions for maximum output and fidelity,” according to MartinLogan. The Dynamo subs also feature an extra-sturdy reinforced cabinet design with 1-inch-thick MDF panels and additional MDF reinforcement on the woofer baffle, contributing to “highly articulate and accurate bass performance.” The cabinet rests on integrated anti-vibration feet, which reportedly improve system dynamics and reduce vibration transfers into adjoining rooms across all flooring types. Some other upgrades over the Foundation Series subs include compatibility with MartinLogan’s Subwoofer Control app for iOS and Android, built-in wireless receivers (and transmitters) with “lossless sound transmission and low latency,” and increased connectivity options, which include both RCA and XLR LFE inputs, Stereo RCA inputs, Speaker Level inputs, and Sub Out connections. Crucially, the Dynamo Series subwoofers are compatible with the very effective Anthem Room Correction (ARC) system, which offers custom equalization, tuning, and calibration to achieve the best possible bass impact and fidelity in your room.

Abyss Series

It’s been almost 20 years since MartinLogan introduced the first Abyss subwoofer, designed to be a larger and more powerful successor to the original Dynamo subwoofer. The new Abyss Series aims to deliver “supercharged performance” from a miniaturized design, promising both audiophile musicality and theater-sized dynamic output, all from an ultra-compact cabinet. The secret sauce lies in the new Hybrid Woofer System, which combines an active aluminum woofer with two aluminum passive radiators. MartinLogan says that this design enhances output and reduces distortion, just as a ported design would, while maintaining the smaller size and tighter bass associated with sealed subwoofers. (I’ve seen other subs with passive radiators from companies like REL and GoldenEar, and they can be incredibly effective when designed properly.) The positively tiny Abyss 8 ($1,199.99) is approximately a 13-inch cube, yet it packs the same Magnitude 1kW amplifier and ultra-high resolution DSP Engine described above.

Editorial Note by Gene DellaSala: To implement a passive radiator system effectively, the design must employ either a radiator with twice the surface area of the active driver or a same-sized radiator with twice the excursion. MartinLogan achieved this by providing a pair of passive radiators with double the cone area for optimal system performance.

The slightly larger Abyss 10 ($1,699.99) features the Magnitude 1.6kW amplifier. The reinforced MDF cabinet features the same 1-inch-thick panels seen in the Dynamo subs, with center braces and reinforced woofer baffles. The Abyss subs also feature the same integrated anti-vibration feet, app control, integrated wireless connectivity, and robust suite of physical connections. Once again, ARC is supported for tailored sonic performance. The Abyss 8 is available in Gloss Black or Satin White, but the Abyss 10 only comes in Gloss Black, for now anyway.

From the compact yet powerful performance of the Dynamo Foundation Series to the modern reinterpretation of the classic Dynamo Series and the deep, resonant bass of the Abyss Series, each subwoofer is meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled sound quality. We believe these new products will set a new standard in the industry and enhance the listening experience for audiophiles everywhere.

— MartinLogan

MartinLogan Abyss Listening Impressions by Gene DellaSala

I had a chance to listen to the MartinLogan demo room, which consisted of a pair of Motion XT B100 bookshelf speakers powered by an Anthem STR Integrated Amp, with a pair of Abyss 8 subwoofers providing the bass notes. I came away impressed. Initially, I was sitting in the front row, only about 4 feet from the B100s, and didn't expect good sound. However, what I got was precise imaging and a very wide soundstage with spaciousness from the side walls. The bass was seamlessly integrated, though a bit too energetic in the very low registers (20-25Hz range). MartinLogan told me they purposely did NOT engage Anthem ARC Genesis on the STR Integrated Amp to temper the room modes to give people a sense of how the system would perform in a real room with no EQ, just proper time alignment and bass management.

MartinLogan B100 w Abyss 8 Subs Powered by Anthem STR Integrated Amp

I had them cue up "Packt Like Sardines In a Crushd Tin Box" by Radiohead, which has lots of spaciousness in the recording and deep bass that, in a proper system, gives a nice intoxicating thump. The vocals were dead center, and the percussions sounded very spacious, as if I was hearing a multi-channel recording, despite this being just a 2.1 system. I was so impressed with this demo that I think I made the comment that "the B100s image like bastards" when I shot my YouTube video on this room. Most importantly, the Abyss 8 subs hit the bass on this recording with aplomb, and it was fun seeing that little front-firing 8" woofer getting a workout while providing deep, articulate bass that belied its physical size. I couldn't help but wonder how the Abyss 10s would perform with this recording, and this is something we will find out in a formal review in the coming months.

The Dynamo Foundation 10 is shipping now from authorized MartinLogan dealers, like our friends at Audio Advice. The Dynamo Foundation 12 should follow in early September, 2024. The Dynamo and Abyss Series subs are expected to become available in mid-October, 2024. Which of these new subs would you choose for your system? Share your thoughts in the related forum thread below.

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