In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo 10 and Dynamo 600X, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by MartinLogan. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of MartinLogan Dynamo 10 and MartinLogan 600X first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.MartinLogan Dynamo 10and MartinLogan 600X have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
Dynamo 10 has a frequency range of 23-200 Hz whereas Dynamo 600X has a frequency range of 27-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 23Hz, the Dynamo 10 can go slightly deeper then the Dynamo 600X's min frequency of 27Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare MartinLogan Dynamo 10's and MartinLogan 600X's external dimensions. MartinLogan Dynamo 10 has external dimensions of 373.1 x 349.3 x 404.8mm () whereas MartinLogan 600X has external dimensions of 415.0 x 369.0 x 420.0mm (16-5/16 x 14-1/2 x 16-1/2inch).
MartinLogan 600X is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19.7mm wider, 41.9mm taller and 15.2mm deeper than MartinLogan Dynamo 10.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
MartinLogan 600X needs about 10% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan 600X is 15mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan 600X is 42mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the MartinLogan Dynamo 10 is approximately 1414.0cm2 / 219.2inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 600X is approximately 1549.8cm2 / 240.2inch2. The Dynamo 10 requires 9% less surface area than the Dynamo 600X which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The MartinLogan Dynamo 10 weighs 19.41kg / 42.7lbs and the MartinLogan 600X weighs 15.91kg / 35lbs. This makes the Dynamo 10 22% heavier than the Dynamo 600X.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo 10 and Dynamo 600X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
23 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
373mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1414cm2
vs
1549cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
700USD
vs
1200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
MartinLogan 600X needs about 10% more floor area. MartinLogan 600X stands 15mm further into the room. MartinLogan 600X is 42mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo 10 |
MartinLogan Dynamo 600X |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
23-200 Hz |
27-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
500-watt RMS |
120-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
1000-watt RMS |
n/a |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
373.1mm (14.7") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
349.3mm (13.8") |
369.0mm (14.5") |
| Depth |
404.8mm (15.9") |
420.0mm (16.5") |
| Weight |
19.41kg (42.7lbs) |
15.91kg (35lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Satin Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years w/ registration |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years w/ registration |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | MartinLogan Dynamo 10 goes deeper - 23Hz against 27Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 27Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | MartinLogan Dynamo 10 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 120W RMS, about 6.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | depends | MartinLogan Dynamo 10 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; MartinLogan 600X is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | MartinLogan Dynamo 10 is about 18% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | B | MartinLogan 600X costs less - $700 against $1,200, about 42% less. |
A MartinLogan Dynamo 10 B MartinLogan 600X
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: MartinLogan Dynamo 10 measures better, MartinLogan 600X costs about 42% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, MartinLogan 600X will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, MartinLogan Dynamo 10 is usually the easier one to make sound right. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $700 each, two MartinLogan 600X cost about $1,400 against $1,200 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.