Audio Video News

Lawrence, KS-based Martin-Logan is known for its musically and visually transparent electrostatic loudspeakers. The company is equally proficient in making great subwoofers.

Case in point: the Descent, so called because it goes lower than a drilling rig in the North Atlantic. The result of what the company calls "five years of exhaustive research in amplification, driver, cabinet, and acoustic control technologies," coupled with what M-L acknowledges to be industry-leading "expertise in hybrid transducer design, advance subwoofer performance and system integration" brought forth the three-driver Descent. The drivers' cones are 10"-diameter, low-mass aluminum with an extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio.

Many subwoofer manufacturers refuse to divulge distortion ratings for their products, whose deviation from the ideal can run 20% or higher at loud levels. Martin-Logan claims the Descent's driving amplifier produces " a mere 0.07% total harmonic distortion at all sound levels," thanks to a proprietary switching amplifier and cabinet construction that eliminates resonances and spurious vibrations. The Descent's output is kept on track by an advanced servo control system that continuously analyzes driver performance and corrects any deviation from the original signal, the manufacturer explains. The result: "pure, powerful bass throughout your listening room or home theater."

The Descent's performance specs include a ±3 dB frequency response of 20-150Hz, measure in an anechoic chamber via the LFE input. Crossover frequency is selectable at either 40Hz or 70Hz. Room placement is non-critical thanks to a phase control that allows adjustments of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. The 25Hz level control offers ±12 dB of adjustment. The internal amplifier is capable of 400 watts continuously, and 800 watt peaks. Inputs include RCA Line Level; RCA and XLR LFE; for convenience, an RCA output is included. Weight is 95 lbs (43.2kg); the Descent measures 21.75" H x 20" W x 18.25" D (55.3 x 50.8 x 46.4cm).

Although designed to offer the same speed and transparency as Martin-Logan's panel speakers, the Descent is said to be compatible with almost any high-quality loudspeaker system. Its elegant six-sided styling should be compatible with most home theater décor.