Hello all. I am currently on a bit of a quest to replace my trusty old M&K MX200. The problem with doing so is two fold. One, finding something that doesn't sound like crap compared to the M&K (harder than you might think). Two, not spending a fortune doing so, so that I can also afford new mains down the road. There is also an slight complication, in that I need something that is dual voltage capable. I'm an American currently living in Germany, but will be moving back to the USA in a few years.
So my old MX200 was with me for nearly 25 years, and has always been the gold standard by which all other subs I have heard are measured. I lucked into a great deal on a "blemished" item, though if I'm honest I still haven't found the blemish. It was badly damaged in shipping to Germany, and is unfortunately beyond repair. The M&Ks big party trick was the ability to completely disappear into a system, even when played at quite high volumes. You simply couldn't tell that it wasn't the old B&W bookshelves I've had for years playing those low notes. It's put all competitors I have heard to shame in that regard, including some of the supposedly higher end M&K THX subs.
So my task now is to try to find a solution that doesn't infuriate me every time I listen to it, for under around $1000. I've honestly been doing without a sub for a while now, because no sub at all is better than a crap one. I looked quite seriously at the SVS SB2000, and found it acceptable, if not up to the old standard, but unfortunately SVS products are not dual voltage capable. I've heard a few other subs at the store, and not been impressed.
I am quite handy, and have experience building subwoofer enclosures by hand, as well as access to the needed tools, so the thought of building my own faux M&K has popped into mind, though I don't know for sure how to get it all right when it comes to enclosure design. For those not familiar, the M&K is a dual 12, one firing out the front of the box, the other extending down from the same enclosure and firing upwards into it, with a slot port out the front of the box. I don't know of software that could accurately model such a design though.
On size I am relatively flexible, though I don't really want a ginormous sub if I don't need it, mainly to avoid having to lug the thing around. The old M&K wasn't exactly small, and it never bothered me.
I'm also open to other store-bought options if anyone has recommendations for things I should look into.
Looking forward to your responses.
So my old MX200 was with me for nearly 25 years, and has always been the gold standard by which all other subs I have heard are measured. I lucked into a great deal on a "blemished" item, though if I'm honest I still haven't found the blemish. It was badly damaged in shipping to Germany, and is unfortunately beyond repair. The M&Ks big party trick was the ability to completely disappear into a system, even when played at quite high volumes. You simply couldn't tell that it wasn't the old B&W bookshelves I've had for years playing those low notes. It's put all competitors I have heard to shame in that regard, including some of the supposedly higher end M&K THX subs.
So my task now is to try to find a solution that doesn't infuriate me every time I listen to it, for under around $1000. I've honestly been doing without a sub for a while now, because no sub at all is better than a crap one. I looked quite seriously at the SVS SB2000, and found it acceptable, if not up to the old standard, but unfortunately SVS products are not dual voltage capable. I've heard a few other subs at the store, and not been impressed.
I am quite handy, and have experience building subwoofer enclosures by hand, as well as access to the needed tools, so the thought of building my own faux M&K has popped into mind, though I don't know for sure how to get it all right when it comes to enclosure design. For those not familiar, the M&K is a dual 12, one firing out the front of the box, the other extending down from the same enclosure and firing upwards into it, with a slot port out the front of the box. I don't know of software that could accurately model such a design though.
On size I am relatively flexible, though I don't really want a ginormous sub if I don't need it, mainly to avoid having to lug the thing around. The old M&K wasn't exactly small, and it never bothered me.
I'm also open to other store-bought options if anyone has recommendations for things I should look into.
Looking forward to your responses.
https://mksound.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/XSERIESWHITEPAPER.pdf
All this can be replicated for sure. And improvements can be made too.
A Thread for those interested in PPSL enclosures
Read that thread for inspiration.
Closed box, push pull, long throw woofer and a amplifier with DSP should do it.
All this can be replicated for sure. And improvements can be made too.
A Thread for those interested in PPSL enclosures
Read that thread for inspiration.
Closed box, push pull, long throw woofer and a amplifier with DSP should do it.