Customer Reviews

MartinLogan DYN500D Dynamo 500 Subwoofer (Black)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was incredibly fortunate a few months ago to get a pair of MartinLogan Motion 10 front right and left speakers. They were so much better than the other speakers I had in my 5.1 home stereo system that I knew I had to upgrade. Eventually I hope to add the Motion 2 speakers at the back, but for the meantime I added this extraordinary Motion 6 center channel speaker and the MartinLogan DYN500D subwoofer. The results have been amazing. The sound quality is as good as I could reasonably hope for. I've tried a wide variety of CDs - rock, folk, classical, classic country (and yeah, there is point to that distinction - while some contemporary country acts are great, like the Dixie Chicks, most are utterly miserable - but Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell and Jimmie Rodgers are among the greatest performers America has produced) - and mono, stereo, and surround sound DVDs and Blu-rays, and the results have been spectacular. I've cranked the sound on Barbirolli's outstanding version of Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis," louder, in fact than I ought as a good neighbor. The louder I play it, the better it sounds.

The difference these speakers make in enjoying my Blu-rays is enormous. They add a dimension that was previously completely lacking. It even makes a huge difference with PS3 games. In fact, I had no idea of just how good these speakers were until I was playing Fallout New Vegas. In one quest you have to go to the top of a mountain where it starts to thunder and lightning. Lion, a German Shepherd who lives with me, has ears better than humans and rarely is deceived by anything on regular speakers. But he never gets deceived. But when it starts to thunder and lightning on the mountain in my game, Lion, who is afraid of thunder, gets uneasy. I then remember to mute the sound, but seeing him respond to the thunder in the game tells you just how good he thinks this sounds.

The one significant change I have to make switching from movies to music is that I have to alter the bass settings on the subwoofer. I have to turn it way down for movies or the bass overwhelms all the rest of the sound, while if I don't turn it up for the music the sound is too thin. But apart from that minor issue, these are just just great speakers. They are versatile, sounding great with just about any kind of music or movie. It may be a while before I can get the Motion 2 speakers to complete the 5.1 speaker system, but having the rest has led to some great entertainment.

I passionately recommend these speakers for almost any kind of use. They are great for general and specialized use. I would not have gotten these had I not been lucky enough to get the Motion 10s as part of the Vine Program. But I'm profoundly grateful that I did. Now I have a wonderful stereo systems that gives me continued satisfaction.

I own a recording studio and a very high end home theater. My theater has a velodyne dd15 subwoofer which cost close to $4000. Im pretty picky about sound and subwoofers in general. A friend asked me to go shopping with him for a new theater recently. After listening to every sub we could find in the under $500 class, this sub really stood out. I found the focals better once we hit the $1k price and the REL and Velodynes really shine as you raise the price, but at $500 this is a best in class sub. Goes deep and hits hard. Not one note bass at all. At $300 this is a steal.

Keeps up with my Metal; reproducing every bass note clearly. Not familiar with sub-woofers, but I know what I like. If it can keep up with the Polish Metal outfit Vader's bassist, that's saying something. Prabably not necessary to spend this much if you listen to rap or alternative. But it might feel better than purchasing a Sony or Polk. I listen to stereo only, can't speak for it's sorround-sound qualities. Thin wood venear over what I assume to be plastic. Which is normal for thesse types of items. Would note that I'm partial to Martin Logan speakers, as I received the extended 5 year warranty on a pair of AFT loud-speakers (Montages)which I purchased at a good sale price.

this is the entry level subwoofer of the martin logan line. it produces crystal clear, wall rattling low frequencies at a moderately loud volume; loud enough for my wife to ask me to turn it down. :)

if i'd had more money to spend, i would have gone for one of this speaker's bigger siblings, preferably the dynamo 1000. all in all, this an excellent sub and a good value.

I've listened to a lot of subwoofers. I needed a new speaker to help create basis for the type of sound system I needed for my new Onkyo 607 7.2 home theater... The Martin Logan Dynamo 500 subwoofer helped to to do just that. I was amazed at the response of this subwoofer. Whether you're listening to music or a movie soundtrack, the Dynamo 500 gives a satisfactory response to fulfill the audio experience that you need for your home theater experience. When comparing this subwoofer to others within it's class, I was treated to a bass response normally espected from subwoofers at three tiimes the cost. Lovely speaker, great price.

If you want clean, tight, well-defined bass for your system, are not so much interested in the thump and bump, and don't want to spend a ton of money, this is without doubt the very best subwoofer in its class. At around $500, this subwoofer outshines all the rest. Sure, there are subwoofers that cost a lot more that will provide deeper and perhaps better response, but for the money, nothing can touch the ML Dynamo 500. A superb value and an incredible addition to any system. I am running NAD 355BEE with Vandersteen 1cs and the addition of the ML Dynamo made all the difference in the world. You will not be disappointed with this sub!