I have never bought a ML speaker/sub yet, but I heard this the other day at Tweeter, and it sounds good! I guess it's 10" woofer, with servo controlled mechanism and sealed box construction make it, THAT musical?
How would this sub stack up against an SVS, HSU, Velodyne, etc? It does retail for $1,000, but I can get a good price for it. Cost aside, how would this sub stand up against the others?
I have M80s, VP150, QS8 surrounds. My room's about 20x20 with a 19 foot ceiling. I'm not really looking to shake the building but "tight", musical bass.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
The Grotto is a nice looking sub!
I poked around the net for more info on it and the specs are pretty nice. It uses a lightweight aluminum driver, is highly adjustable, and designed to be tight and punchy.
It would be interesting to compare it to the less expensive offerings from Hsu, however.
Assuming you could get it at the same price (relatively
) as an SVS or HSU, would you still buy it?
Only if I liked it better after comparing it to my existing sub (SVS PB1-ISD).
In reply to:
It uses a lightweight aluminum driver
sounds like it would be too bright and tinny sounding for my tastes!
On a serious note, interesting to see another manufacturer using aluminum cones. Have they always done this?
my SVS pc+ uses an aluminum cone (tc sounds DB12 woofer).
for the money - u would be hard pressed to beat the comparably priced SVS offering. although i agree, the Grotto is a nice looking sub - the SVS PC Ultra (parametric equalizer + the ultra TV12 woofer... better than the DB12 woofer) would be my pick over that one or maybe the SVS PB1+ (in a variety of finishes that could match your axioms + the parametric equalizer) or a PB2+.
I have heard the Grotto and let me say it was amazing! It was not as low as my HSU for movies but much better for music! I think that unless you really need bear belly lows, this is the sub to get! I am thinking of selling my Hsu now since I listen to 90% music!
The quality of the finish is incredible and can be adjusted much better than the Hsu for all rooms. Let me say that there is lots of bass for movies so don't think that my comment is denying that only that it is a little less. I liked the compact design and for a sub weighing only 45 pounds, it can really hold its own without even breaking a sweat. I pushed it very hard and it never once went into protection mode whereas my Hsu would at the same levels!
Martin Logan is an incredible speaker company and matching this sub with their electrostatics was an experience I will soon not forget!
That's exactly what I'm experiencing. Update: I did get the Grotto, and I'm playing with it for now, I have 30 days!
Update: I had the Grotto in my house for a few days, played around with it, and I must admit, I wasn't too impressed. Tried various positions, levels (had it turned almost all the way up, still wasn't good), etc etc, just didn't work.
My conclusion: Given the geography of my room, the Grotto just didn't fit. My room is 20x20 with a 19 foot ceiling, and the room is open on one end towards the kitchen.
Next, I brought a STF-2 to see if that would fit in. In one word WHOA!, this thing has a serious PUNCH! I have it only at about a third of the way up, and it's enough. Recalibrated everything, and it seems to blend in perfectly. Now, of course, I'm wondering if the VTF-2/3 wouldn't be even better! . But seriously, I think this will do for now, if I need more bass later (I don't think I will, unless I move), I'll get something else. For $350 I don't think I could have done better.
FYI, I have Axiom M80 fronts, VP150 and QS8 surrounds, all powered by a Denon 3805.
Thanks for all the help, everybody.
Glad you like the STF-2. I have one, and I'm very satisfied with it, too. Enjoy.
Well, I'm glad you found something you liked. Thanks for letting us know about the M-L! In general, I think that the sealed enclosures are more elegant, design-wise, but I just haven't heard enough subs to really say which I prefer. How large is the M-L in relation to the driver? My understanding (could be wrong, certainly have been before) is that sealed speakers require larger inner volume (or amplification) than ported subs to produce the same SPL.
Actually, in terms of size, the Grotto was SMALLER than the STF-2, even though both have a 10" woofer.
Hmm..interesting..the Grotto SHOULD have been bigger..but it wasn't.
Unless I'm wrong (gotta say that a lot) that would be why the Martin Logan didn't have the punch you were looking for. My Cambridge Soundworks sub has a rather large enclosure compared to a lot of 12" subs (other than the SVS monsters), since it's sealed. 'Course, it's got a wimpy amp, so I haven't a clue how to works as well as it seems to to me.