THE MIDDLE MODEL in MartinLogan's five-strong Dynamo series of active subwoofers, the 800X is a svelte little box of joy subtly finished in a satin black with Poirotlike abilities to reveal greasy fingerprints - have a cloth handy. The film noir styling continues to the chunky feet, complete with spikes and seamlessly integrated rubber spike covers for hard floors.
Core specifications are right on the money, with the sealed enclosure featuring a 600W peak-rated Class D amp, a single 10in driver (terminated with an inverted surround, said to reduce air turbulence), and both line-level and speaker-level analogue connections. There's then Bluetooth connectivity for MartinLogan's Sub Control app (iOS and Android), plus an input for the company's £200 approx SWT-X wireless module. This fits into a neatly designed docking pocket on the back of the woofer, so doesn't stick out.
AV INFO
PRODUCT: 10in active subwoofer with ARC EQ
POSITION: Middle model in the five-strong Dynamo series
PEERS: MA Silver W-12; SVS SB-2000 Pro; REL T7x
In a feature I certainly haven't come across before, the feet surrounding the Dynamo 800X's smooth concave driver unbolt and can be fitted to the rear panel, allowing you to rotate the whole sub so the driver faces forward. If you are sticking this model in a cabinet where the usual 360-degree bass radiating from a down-firing driver will get largely obstructed, the front-facing option makes a whole lot of sense. Okay, the connection panel and controls end up on the bottom, but with the Sub Control app handling all the bases (there are no crossover or phase dials on the Dynamo 800X itself), plus a bit of cable-routing creativity, it's eminently workable. MartinLogan even supplies the sub with a grille cover for the front-firing setup.
ARC angel
This story is from the February 2023 edition of Home Cinema Choice.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2023 edition of Home Cinema Choice.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AV Avenger
You should think twice before accepting an invitation to play Resident Evil 4 with spatial audio in a haunted prison, warns Steve May
Catalogue classic Star Wars: Ep. VI - Return of the Jedi → Ultra HD Blu-ray, Disney
Forty years on from the movie's cinema release, Anton van Beek ponders what might have been if things had gone a little diff erently during the making of Return of the Jedi…
Feedback
Got an axe to grind? Need to comment on current tech? Want to share your knowledge with our readers? Team HCC is here to help
M&K Sound V12
TIME ON TEST: Three years REVIEWER: Steve Withers
Sony 'bar demands to be upgraded
This well-specified Dolby Atmos soundbar may have a mid-range price tag, but you'll soon want to spend more, cautions Steve May
Short and sweet
Marantz's compact AV receiver returns with a new look and boosted features – Jamie Biesemans slips it into his AV rig
Discreet delivery
A slim, stylish Scandinavian on-wall system impresses Mark Craven with its handling of the sweet stuff
One project, two rooms
Dan Sait reports on a custom install where a JVC PJ/ Atmos system is joined by a stylish media den
THE KING OF B RDA HOLLYWOOD
Three of his movies have taken over $2billon at the global box office, he's pioneered SFX and 3D technologies, and he's been to the very bottom of the Pacific Ocean. That's James Cameron by the way, not Anton van Beek
System selector!
Given three similar budgets, Mark Craven, Steve May and John Archer assemble three different AV setups focused on movies, streaming and gaming
