Product Description

The Dynamo is a versatile subwoofer with a 10" aluminum woofer and a 200 watt internal amplifier. It features a user-configurable design which can be used in either the forward or downward firing position. The advanced control system of the Abyss allows simultaneous connection of 2-channel stereo music and multi-channel home theater. The base response for the Abyss ranges from 25 to 120 Hz.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7629 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: MartinLogan
• Model: Dynamo
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 13.90" h x 11.70" w x 12.90" l,

Features

• A single 10-inch subwoofer with a front-firing or down-firing configuration
• Equipped with a low-distortion 10-inch aluminum-cone driver
• Frequency response: 25Hz-120Hz
• Features an inverse mathematical equalization filter
• Peak power handling: 200 watts

From the Manufacturer
Drawing on seven years of dedicated research into driver, amplifier, cabinet, control, and systems technologies, Dynamo establishes new benchmarks for performance and versatility in a subwoofer of such compact dimensions and moderate price. It is user-configurable for either front- or down-firing operation. That capability together with flexible crossover controls ensures that Dynamo can deliver excellent bass from any location in your room. No other subwoofer in its class offers Dynamo's combination of bass extension, power, and detail.

User configurable front- or down-firing option

Low-Distortion Aluminum-Cone Driver

Dynamo's high-resolution driver combines a 10-inch aluminum-cone diaphragm with a high-intensity magnet structure to achieve huge excursion and output capability without sacrificing detail. By eliminating cone flexure, even at long voice-coil excursions, aluminum diaphragms help our advanced-technology bass drivers achieve the very low distortion necessary for proper blending with MartinLogan electrostatic speakers.

Inverse Mathematical Equalization

An IME (inverse mathematical equalization) filter is derived from the inverse of the unfiltered driver response. Precision IME filtering yields extremely accurate low-frequency response – far superior to that provided by the simple second-order, high-Q filters typical of competitively priced subwoofers.

Front-Firing or Down-Firing Option

To maximize performance when installed inside of a cabinet or other custom installation, Dynamo's standard down firing configuration easily converts into a front firing configuration. A grill cover and 90° RCA adaptors are provided for use in front firing applications.

Dynamo subwoofers seamlessly integrate with any decor

Advanced Switching Amplifier

Dynamo's amplifier belongs to recently developed class of switch-mode designs that incorporate a variety of innovative techniques to reduce noise, distortion, and heat to the lowest possible levels. In particular, the switching frequency is much higher than in typical subwoofer amplifiers of this type. It can produce a true 200 watts continuously.

Seamless System Integration

Dynamo's connections and controls are designed to enable easy, seamless integration with any stereo music or multi-channel home theater system. It's main left/right line-level inputs feed into a precision low-pass filter with a cutoff frequency variable from 30 to 80 Hz. For systems in which a surround processor supplies the crossover, Grotto provides an LFE input that completely bypasses its internal filters. It also has an unfiltered line-level output to allow operation of multiple subwoofers in a serial configuration.

Energy Transfer Coupler Spikes

The Dynamo is supplied with sturdy, 1/4-20 MiniETC™ spikes, which can be used in place of the standard feet to enhance stability on thick carpets or to create tighter coupling between speaker and floor.

Portless Enclosure

Although ports are a convenient and cost-effective way of increasing low-frequency output, they rely on resonant energy in a way that impairs bass quality. A good sealed system will exhibit less transient-blurring group delay while maintaining smooth, consistent response regardless of output level or voice-coil temperature. Listen carefully to the sound of a bass drum, and you'll hear the difference.

Customer Reviews

Refind musically, will also work for HT setup.
This is a very well built subwoofer with many of the same parts and most of the technology taken from the upper line (Grotto, Depth, Descent) of ML subs. It has the same solid 10" aluminum driver found in all high-end subs. It was designed and engineered in the US by ML and built in China to keep costs down, however, I did not notice any build-quality issue. I compared the Dynamo head to head with the ML Grotto (twice the price) and found that they both sounded great. The Grotto adds a servo circuit, a tad better cabinet and a little more power (250 vs. 200) but in the long run, I could not justify the price difference.

The Dynamo has deep, tight bass with no boom. It blends seamlessly with all speakers that I have tried. If set up correctly and this is easy to do, you cannot tell where the sub is located in your room. I am using it for 2 channel audio but it can work well for home theater as well, just don't expect ground-shaking boom. Although I think you would be wasting its potential. It also has the option of front firing and down firing by just rotating it on its platform/stand, I set it up as front firing since I found it provide tighter bass/more musical/accurate then down-firing on my carpet. I also did not miss the servo circuit on the more expensive ML sub. The servo would have been more important if the Dynamo had a larger driver (12" plus) due to the inherent distortion issues with large drivers. An 8" - 10" driver does not have as many of these issues, hence the servo circuit not missed much.

You cannot go wrong with the Dynamo for some of the best quality bass at the best price available today.

Strengths:
Build quality. Deep, tight bass...no boom here. Blends seamlessly with every speaker I tried. Easy to set up. Great set up instructions furnished by ML. Price. And a product designed and supported by one of the best speaker builders in the world. Call ML anytime and they will answer any question and make suggestions on proper set up, etc.

Weaknesses:
I would have preferred that whether you choose front firing or down firing, the amp controls would be easily accessible. When in front firing position, the controls are on the bottom. However, once set up, this should not be a problem.

Great sound and quality build
Impressions of the Martin Logan Dynamo.

I use this for both music and home theater and it is excellent for both. The bass is very tight and precise. It blends in perfectly with my klipsch speaker system. The sound quality is excellent and this subwoofer is an excellent anchor to a good sound system. I had a less expensive sub prior to this and there is simply no comparison. I agree with others that the bass is not boomy but that's not to say that it doesn't pack a punch. Hooked up to a quality receiver this sub will let you feel the music or movie soundtrack (it can shake the room easy enough). However the clarity is what makes this unit special. I have this set up in a open space room with a listening area of about 18 x 25 ft and am could not be more pleased with the performance of this unit. If you want a sub that puts out tight and precise bass this is a great choice.

Another thing of note is the overall quality of this subwoofer. All the controls and switches have that nice solid feel. Nothing cheap feeling or looking at all about the construction of this unit. It's also relatively small in size which is surprising given the quality of sound this puts out. The auto on/off is a nice feature but expected on anything in this price range.

Bottom line is I would buy this sub again in a second. I really can't think of any downside on this.

In a word: Refined
This sub is REFINED! there's no flabby, street pounding bass to be heard here. Martin Logan prides itself on making some of the more accurate speakers on the market (at least that WE can afford) when this sub hits, it lets you know. but the sound is silky smooth, and integrates sooo well with tower speakers it's almost illegal. at some point, forget you own it. it will dissapear in the mix, and work in unison with your towers like a dream. i use it for music (where it really shines) and for movies (it's impact is huge, it's decently accurate, but i'd still go with the depth for home theater..) i paid a lot less for it than 600 bucks, but still, if it broke, i'd have no issue with buying a new one at retail. it's just that smooth sounding.
one of the best features is the ETC spikes that come with it to de-couple it from the floor. these are adjustable, and are great for wood flooring, and the like. to correct the other review, it is indeed a 10'' cone, but performs like a good 12'' would, anyday.

the other guy's right. it isn't your normal subwoofer. you have to let it break in before you really start to appreciate what this little guy can do. on another note, it's foot print is TINY! so guys, your wives will LOVE it, as you can hide it behind her stupid plant thingies she loves to keep all over the place.