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Model: | Ref 150 mkII |
Category: | Speakers |
Suggested Retail Price: | $1400 |
Description: | Active subwoofer 150 watt mosfet downfiring, 10 |
Manufacturer URL: | MJ Acoustics |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by Bobsprit@aol.com on October 30, 2010 at 07:51:01 IP Address: 67.189.178.1 | Add Your Review for the Ref 150 mkII |
While I had my Merlin TSM-MXr speakers on order I started to put together the rest of the system. I had bought the latest Manley Stingray II tube amp and the nice Skylan 4 post stands. But I also knew that my SVS 16-46 sub was more suited to home theater than music.
System Goals:
I'm working on building a dedicated music room, but my dedicated theater would be the listening environment for a while. So the sub was chosen for a smaller room, but I hoped it would still do well in the theater. I wanted something small and very adjustable that could match the quality of the Merlins speed and articulate nature.
The Sub
The 150 MKII is built by a bunch of people who left REL in a huff. That's all you need to know. So they clearly set out to build something a bit better and I think they did. On the surface of things we get a small cube with a 10" driver and 150 MOSFET amp. Hardly the stuff of legends! The sub is also shipped with spikes and snub feet along with a REMOTE CONTROL. The back of the sub allows the essential connections and a digital read-out that allows a wide range of variable setting for crossover, volume, phase and so on. Mine has the black finish, is well made but hardly special in it's appearance.
The Remote
EVERY SUB SHOULD HAVE A REMOTE! Hmmmmm. Let me say that again. EVERY SUB SHOULD HAVE A REMOTE. This is such an obvious benefit. The ability to fine tune each setting FROM THE LISTENING position makes it far easier to get this sub dialed in correctly. In fact I doubt I would have EVER done as well without the remote. Just as important you get 4 memory settings for the sub, so you can make quick setting comparisons. I have three settings stored for various types of recordings. A new recording that requires a tweak doesn't take a second thought. Most people just leave their settings, but the MJ allows you to always tailor (if that's what you like) to a recording. Fantastic!
The Sound
Well...all of that tunability is for naught if this sub doesn't perform. Luckily this sub is very much like the REL cousins. It's very fast and correct in it's presentation. It goes insanely low. MJ claims a somewhat nutty 13hz. But make no mistake; this sub does go quite low, though it's output is clearly limited by being such a small box/driver. On organ recordings the sub adds that fill without ever booming or creating a thudding kind of bass that has no detail. Even in the large theater room the sub did well when pushed hard.
The Mating of Sub and Speakers
First up were a inexpensive pair of SVS monitors. I tried them mainly to see what the sub would do with speakers that had very little bass output. Set at about 100hz the MJ blended ALMOST seamlessly. But I couldn't quite get it right no matter how much I fiddled with the sub's controls. Eventually I moved the sub closer to a corner and it all fell together, illustrating the importance of placement as the KEY factor in sub usage.
Next up were the Merlin TSM-MXr speakers. As I noted in my review I find the Merlins to be pretty much the last word in speakers for their size. I was thrilled to find that the Merlins and the MJ matched perfectly. The sub added that last inch of depth without any smearing of instruments/detail. The sense of coherency overall was maintained.
MJ vs. The World
I'm quite sure, after listening to REL subs for years, that the MJ is in the same league. My friend uses a pair of 150's for his Magnepans and his feeling is that they are quicker than both the REL and Vandersteen. I believe that the MJ's quality is all there and the sub is elevated much further by it's well thought out adjustment system and remote. For a price of about 1500-1700 we're looking at a very expensive sub for the size. Those seeking a sub to also do home theater duty might look at some bigger subs. But as a dedicated music sub I feel that the MJ 150 MK II is a great value.
Pictures of my system can be seen here...
http://GhostLight.zenfolio.com/p280561067/slideshow
Polite comments welcome!
Rob
Product Weakness: | Expensive, low freq. claims are a bit over the top |
Product Strengths: | Highly adjustable design, remote and memory settings, world class musicality in a small sub |
Amplifier: | Manley Stingray II |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | None |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Audio Aero CDP, Oppo |
Speakers: | Merlin TSM-MXr |
Cables/Interconnects: | Cardas |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Classic rock, jazz, classical |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
My own experiences with REL subs is that the bigger the driver the better the bass quality, especially definition,(naturalness) and 2 subs are definetely better than 1. I am now using 2 X B1 each with a 12" bass unit. Organ music is now sounding incredible, I cross over at 32 Hz
But it benefits every type of music.
Thanks for the nice review.
How efficient are those speakers you are using? I am using 98 db full range drivers with a super tweeter and no crossover. I had a subwoofer but never used it and gave it to a friend. I may get it back and try it again but I am really interested in two subwoofers and I have mentioned in the past that a pair of high quality monitors can go a long way with two REL subwoofers. Much like super tweeters do more than add to the top, subwoofer can do more than just augment to bottom. It has much to do with a continuousness of the music from top to bottom.
My speakers are 92 db and I also use a super tweeter (Townsend) and as you say like a super tweeters the subs do much more than just add bass,
this can be easily demonstrated even using music with little low bass content.
I was interested in the Townsend and Murata super tweeters. Mine is the PHY-HP and I don't see the point in changing it. I am going to mess around with a subwoofer again. This time I will leave it in for a few months. If I can find two of a certain type, I may opt to try dual subwoofers. I only listen to jazz, BTW....
The 12" driver is very popular, being ideal for HT and music.
But in my experience smaller subs are quicker. Many of my friends are using subs with 10" drivers for their speakers, especially Magnepan. In fact the Vandersteen's 8" drivers are known for being exceedingly quick and a good match for the planars. I find that for music the MJ Acoutic does better than the Fathom 113 for example.
So I prefer a small dedicated music sub. I use the big SVS for the theater. I do agree that two subs is best, but only if you can place both properly.
Rob
We Need a Bigger Boat
I tried smaller Rel's with 8 and 10" drivers but they just did not move enough air, the B1 are quick and are able to pressurise the room which the smaller subs just cannot do. You must also remember that the 12" Rel use very powerful amps.
Anyway from all the Rel's except the Studio 3 the B1 musically in my system sound best. The Studio 3 may add more depth to the sound but they just do not have the snap of the B1's.
I am lucky to work for a distributor and was able to try all the different combinations.
I only use them for hifi not for HT, and 2 versus 1 is defintely a big +
What is the MJs crossover set at for the Merlins? Thanks.
Hi Samac...
I have the sub set at 48hz exactly. With it's current placement no one ever even knows it's part of the system until I tell them. I also tried the big SVS sub at set it at 55hz with very good results.
While I feel the MJ is on "the level" of the Merlins (and a sealed unit to boot), the big SVS is certainly quite good as well. I'm no subwoofer snob!
Rob
We Need a Bigger Boat
.
Hmmmm. It says SPEAKERS, but this is a SUBWOOFER review!
Okay....I'm sure everyone will figure it out.
Rob
We Need a Bigger Boat
Do you know anything about the amp in the sub, in terms of the quality of the parts used vs REL? This could be a real find - thanks for the review.
I couldn't tell you for sure. My feeling is that MJ wanted to beat the REL in each class. I think the subs are very close in quality, but the MJ's display and remote make it a home run. I have a preset on the remote for classical as well as jazz & rock. And of course I can make micro-adjustments in volume without 5 trips "to get it right" for a given recording. It is producing exactly the kind of bass that I wanted. The speakers sound full range, but there is no hint of that "sub sound" in the mix and excellent blending. I'd have no trouble suggesting an REL to someone, but I wanted to try something new.
In a few days I'll be getting better sub cables and I'll finish tweaking the system. The sound I'm hearing is almost spooky real, the illusion of a singer in the room augmented by that bit of weight from the sub. Fantastic!
Rob
We Need a Bigger Boat
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