MartinLogan Dynamo 800X Subwoofer

MartinLogan Dynamo 800X Subwoofer

The MartinLogan Dynamo 800X Subwoofer features advanced-design woofers with inverted surrounds and powerful magnet, motor, and suspension designs. In front-fire mode the unique inverted surround design maximizes excursion clearance behind the grill cover. When positioned in a down-firing configuration, the inverted surround significantly reduces airflow related turbulence for an articulate and detailed low-frequency experience.

Reviews

“I was already a fan of MartinLogan products, loving their speakers such as the $80,000 Neolith, but wasn’t sure how much the quality trickled down into the lower-priced products. Consider me impressed. I have not seen many products in these price ranges that can compete, and certainly none that look as good.”—Michael Laurance, The Shoestring Audiophile

“When space is at a premium, but you refuse to cut corners when it comes to audio fidelity, a system comprised of MartinLogan’s Motion 4i, 8i and Dynamo 800X is a solution that I enthusiastically recommend.”—Mark Henninger, AVS Forum

“MartinLogan’s Dynamo 800X is the first subwoofer I’ve reviewed that combines digital control, signal connection, and room correction—all three wirelessly—in a small, powerful package. I heard no difference between the wireless and wired connections, and once I’d found good positions for the Dynamos, set their output level correctly, and identified their optimal crossover frequencies, their sound seamlessly blended with that of my Quad electrostatics, deepening the ESL-989s’ soundstages and deep-bass extension and expanding their dynamic range, and enhancing their three-dimensionality, all at a price far below that of larger subwoofers I’ve reviewed.”—Larry Greenhill, Stereophile

“The MartinLogan Dynamo 800X is ideal to pair with some bookshelf speakers and complete a music system. With integrated Anthem Room Correction, you get a flat bass response in your room without much work, and the transition from the sub to the speakers is virtually invisible. If you need deeper bass, MartinLogan offers the dynamo in larger sizes as well.”—Chris Heinenon, Reference Home Theater

“Paired up with some nice speakers like the MartinLogan Motion 4i bookshelf/satellites I used in this system this sub shows how far technology—especially amplification and DSP—has come in terms of making such a small yet capable performer possible. Within the specific parameters where someone would find a compact subwoofer like this appealing, thanks to its features and overall performance, the MartinLogan Dynamo 800X is a Top Choice for 2018.”—Mark Henninger, AVS Forum

Awards

Features

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• 10-inch inverted surround poly cone woofer
• 600 Watts (peak) amplifier
• Sealed non-resonant cabinet
• Digital control system via smartphone app
• Anthem Room Correction (ARC^®) via smartphone app or PC
• Robust connection options, including RCA and speaker level inputs; 12V Trigger
• Configurable front or down-firing design
• SWT-X Wireless Receiver & Transmitter (sold separately)

MARTINLOGAN SUB CONTROL APP (AVAILABLE FOR iOS AND ANDROID)

MartinLogan’s Subwoofer Control app uses a Bluetooth connection to simplify setup and configuration of Dynamo 600X, 800X, 1100X, and 1600X. App based controls include volume level, low-pass filter (frequency and order), phase, 20–30Hz level, three preset listening modes, and control of Anthem Room Correction. A unique tone sweep feature assists users in locating areas in listening rooms where troublesome rattles or resonances may occur. A single press of a button allows listeners to initiate a tone sweep from 20–120Hz. If a rattle or resonance occurs in the room any frequency can be held, allowing the listener to investigate and identify the source of the unwanted noise.

ARC MOBILE APP (AVAILABLE FOR iOS AND ANDROID)

In the lab, MartinLogan engineers strive for transparency. Outside the lab, there’s one wildcard our engineers can never account for—the listening room. The unique size and shape of a listening space (and its contents) can make bass waves do unpredictable things, greatly affecting a subwoofer’s overall performance. Anthem Room Correction measures low-frequency sound output in a room and compares it to optimal response curves that account for spatial anomalies. The advanced algorithms of Anthem Room Correction effectively remove anomalies, leaving only the ideal standard— realistically blended, natural-sounding bass. Dynamo 600X, 800X, 1100X, and 1600X utilize a Bluetooth connection with a smartphone or USB connection with a PC to run Anthem Room Correction.

UNIQUE FRONT-FIRING OR DOWN-FIRING DESIGN
When placed in a cabinet or other discreet location, Dynamo 800X, 1100X, and 1600X subwoofers can easily convert from standard down-firing to front-firing orientation, with no tools or special skills required. A grille is provided for use in front-firing applications.

OPTIONAL SWT-X WIRELESS INPUT
Although correct placement plays a key role in optimizing subwoofer performance, sometimes it imposes the inconvenience of running long lengths of cable through walls, along baseboards or under floors and carpets. To solve the problem, Dynamo 600X, 800X, 1100X, and 1600X include a connection port for an optional wireless system. MartinLogan’s new SWT-X Wireless Subwoofer System (sold separately) incorporates the latest in wireless audio transmission technology, including 2.4GHz dynamic frequency selection, forward error correction, and a range up to 50 feet. Easy to install in the subwoofer, the SWT-X receiver requires no external power source or audio connections.

LEFT AND RIGHT 2-CHANNEL INPUTS
Dynamo 400, 600X, 800X, 1100X, and 1600X subwoofers feature left and right input via RCA line level as well as speaker level connections.

LFE HOME THEATER INPUT
Dynamo 400 and 600X’s right inputs double as an LFE input for home theater applications. Dynamo 800X ups the ante by adding a discrete LFE RCA line level input. Dynamo 1100X and 1600X go one step further by adding both XLR and RCA inputs for LFE connection.

12V TRIGGER INPUT
Dynamo 800X, 1100X, and 1600X feature 12V Trigger Inputs, allowing an external device to turn the subwoofer on and off.

SIMULTANEOUS LFE AND 2-CHANNEL CONNECTIONS
Dynamo 800X, 1100X, and 1600X subwoofers features left and right input via robust connection and a control system that allows simultaneous connection of both 2-channel stereo music and multi-channel home theater and allows each source to have individual crossover and level settings, giving listeners a perfect performance in every application. LFE inputs use no low-pass filter, leaving crossover control to the processor. Left and right inputs integrate discrete user-adjustable low-pass filters allowing different level and crossover points when playing back two channel music.

POWERFUL, HIGH-EXCURSION, LOW-TURBULENCE, INVERTED SURROUND WOOFERS
The latest generation of MartinLogan Dynamo subwoofers feature advanced-design woofers with inverted surrounds and powerful magnet, motor, and suspension designs. In front-fire mode the unique inverted surround design maximizes excursion clearance behind the grill cover. When positioned in a down-firing configuration, the inverted surround significantly reduces airflow related turbulence for an articulate and detailed low-frequency experience.

Dynamo woofers pair a high-power magnet structure (significantly more robust than previous generations) with low-mass diaphragms to provide massive excursions while perfectly preserving the tiniest bass detail. The exceptional damping properties of the cone ensure a smooth, non-resonant response necessary for truly seamless blending with high-performance loudspeakers.

Manufactured in MartinLogan’s Canadian factory, the advance-technology woofers found in Dynamo 1600X and 1100X represent the pinnacle of woofer engineering. To achieve an extremely linear response and minimize distortion, an inverted surround is overmolded onto each woofer cone to create a permanent bond while allowing extremely consistent weight distribution around all 360 degrees of the cone. Further, the stronger and more reliable bond created by overmolding technology not only maximizes power handling capabilities, but also reduces acoustically destructive edge return reflections that travel from the voice coil through the cone and to the edge of the surround. To further maximize linearity, a robust voice coil is hand wound to a tolerance of one-quarter turn to deliver consistent impedance.

Every element of Dynamo subwoofers has been meticulously designed to deliver a staggering low-frequency performance, in a compact footprint, and packed with the latest technologies – all without a hint of distortion.

ADVANCED ULTRA-EFFICIENT SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLIES AND CLASS-D AMPLIFIERS
Dynamo subwoofer class-D amplifiers operate with extremely low levels of distortion and deliver dynamic impact with plenty of overhead. Low- noise, high-power switching power supplies produce clean power efficiently in a small space and effortlessly provide tremendous levels of current. Both feature high-quality MOSFET transistors, transformers, noise-suppression networks, and control circuitry. The switching power supply combined with reliable class-D technology means there’s virtually no energy lost in the subwoofer system.

INVERSE MATHEMATICAL EQUALIZATION (IME) FILTER
The IME filter used in the Dynamo subwoofers is derived from the inverse of the unfiltered driver response. Precision IME filtering yields extremely accurate low-frequency response—superior to that provided by the simple second-order high-Q filters typically found in subwoofers in this price range.

SEALED CABINET WITH EXTENSIVE INTERNAL BRACING
Although ports, when correctly designed, are a convenient and cost-effective way of increasing low-frequency output, when used in small cabinets their reliance on resonant energy can impair bass quality. Dynamo 800X, 1100X, and 1600X are compact, sealed subwoofer systems that minimize transient-blurring group delay while maintaining smooth, consistent response, regardless of music or movie source material. The cabinets are constructed from the finest composite material for acoustic integrity. Inside, critically placed structural cross-bracing provides a stable foundation for the woofer, while the added rigidity keeps cabinet-induced resonances and non-linearities to inaudible levels.

BUILT-IN ETC™ (ENERGY TRANSFER COUPLER) SPIKES
Dynamo 800X, 1100X, and 1600X come with custom ETC spikes which can be used to enhance stability on thick carpets, or create tighter coupling between subwoofer and floor to enhance overall sound quality. The built-in spikes are conveniently and discretely hidden underneath the rubber feet.

Specifications

Specifications are subject to change without notice