Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Adire Maelstrom Speakers by Pland

Model:	Maelstrom
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$299.00
Description:	18" subwoofer
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Pland ( A ) on August 30, 2002 at 08:17:57
IP Address: 64.216.28.47

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for the Maelstrom

To begin with,I've never heard a subwoofer that I liked.Years ago,I listened to M&K,Sunfire,etc.,and came away with the impression that they didn't integrate with an audiophile grade speaker well enough to offset any bass deficiencies extant in that system.In retrospect,the setups were probably biased towards maximum LF effect rather than true integration,but still,they were slow and muddy.A friend and I auditioned an REL sub with his PM2A/Fidelio Lowther speakers,and it honestly sounded like there was absolutely no connection between the two.Since my system hovers generally towards SET and high efficiency speakers(Adire HE10.1,PM6A Lowther),I figured a subwoofer just wasn't viable,and that I'd live with the "thin" bottom end these systems are noted for.
I was buying a pair of Billies 300b amps from Kevin at DIYCable,and somehow he and I got off on the sub subject.He indicated that I should try the Maelstrom from Adire,in a 24" 3/4mdf sealed cube enclosure,coupled with the 250 watt plate amp supplied with the Rava.His argument was that the huge surface area of this 18" driver in a tightly controlled sealed enclosure requires so little excursion to produce sub 30 hz frequencies that it was fast,musical,and effortless when used in an audiophile system.The idea sounded good,so after totalling the cost up,I decided to give it a try.
I had the enclosure constructed with 3/4" mdf,with an internal "X" brace,and assembled the system in about an hour.I downloaded the setup manual for the Rava,and generally used it as a guide.Here's what I think:
1.When there's no reason for a subwoofer to be in a system,this one simply doesn't exist.No subtle presence,no hints,absolutely NOT THERE.My 300b SET system still floats the mids and highs out there with no dimunition of the "SET sound".
2.When a LF signal occurs,this sub responds so fast,that it actually augments the tonality of bass riffs,and makes it EASIER to follow the progressions;the exact opposite of any sub I've heard prior.
3.When a organ tone or drum beat intrudes into real LF,it is reproduced with no effort.It isn't as though one part of my system stops and passes the buck to the sub,it just happens.
4.I honestly did not realize how much recorded information I was missing with my monitor type speakers,not only tonally,but viscerally.There's an acoustic sort of "energy "present in my system now that was absent.My cd's and albums surprise me when I least expect it,with sounds I've simply never heard before.
I've decided to build a matching sub and run a true stereo system.This is probably overkill,but I want to push this system as far as possible without entering the stratosphere price wise.Even with a stereo sub setup,my cost will still be under 1200.00,and I can promise you,I've spent much ,much more on tweaks and upgrades that don't even register compared to the improvement I've experienced with the Maelstrom.
This is a real revelation in performance vs. cost.Those of you running any system with less than 20hz reproduction capability owe it to yourself to give this unit a permanent place in your system.

Product Weakness: Size.The driver looks cartoonish it's so large,and a 24" cube is a hell of a lot bigger in your room than it is on paper
Product Strengths: Tonality,integration,speed.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Roitberg 300b,HK Citation II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Roitberg 6080 based pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony EX 777,Linn LP12
Speakers:	Adire HE 10.1,Lowther PM6a
Cables/Interconnects:	Homebrew silver,DIY Risch
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz,Chamber,Orchestral,Old Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 12 x 10
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Size.The driver looks cartoonish it's so large,and a 24" cube is a hell of a lot bigger in your room than it is on paper
Product Strengths:	Tonality,integration,speed.