In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo 800X and Dynamo 12, 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 800X and MartinLogan Dynamo 12 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.Both MartinLogan 800Xand MartinLogan Dynamo 12 have a single woofer setup however the MartinLogan 800X's woofer is 10-inch whereas the MartinLogan Dynamo 12 features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Dynamo 800X has a frequency range of 24-200 Hz whereas Dynamo 12 has a frequency range of 22-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 22Hz, the Dynamo 12 can go slightly deeper then the Dynamo 800X's min frequency of 24Hz.
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 800X's and MartinLogan Dynamo 12's external dimensions. MartinLogan 800X has external dimensions of 351.0 x 318.0 x 350.0mm (13-13/16 x 12-1/2 x 13-3/4inch) whereas MartinLogan Dynamo 12 has external dimensions of 425.5 x 400.1 x 455.6mm ().
MartinLogan Dynamo 12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 82.1mm wider, 74.5mm taller and 105.6mm deeper than MartinLogan 800X.
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 800X is approximately 1113.0cm2 / 172.5inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan Dynamo 12 is approximately 1822.9cm2 / 282.5inch2. The Dynamo 800X requires 39% less surface area than the Dynamo 12 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 800X weighs 13.64kg / 30lbs and the MartinLogan Dynamo 12 weighs 27.90kg / 61.4lbs. This makes the Dynamo 12 105% heavier than the Dynamo 800X.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo 800X and Dynamo 12's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
351mm
vs
425mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1113cm2
vs
1822cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
22 Hz
vs
24 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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 Dynamo 12 needs about 64% more floor area. MartinLogan Dynamo 12 stands 106mm further into the room. MartinLogan Dynamo 12 is 75mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo 800X |
MartinLogan Dynamo 12 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
24-200 Hz |
22-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
800-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1600-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front and bottom |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
351.0mm (13.8") |
425.5mm (16.8") |
| Width |
318.0mm (12.5") |
400.1mm (15.8") |
| Depth |
350.0mm (13.8") |
455.6mm (17.9") |
| Weight |
13.64kg (30lbs) |
27.90kg (61.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Available Colors |
Satin Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
3 Years w/ registration |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Yrs w/ Registration |
3 Years w/ registration |
Different price classes - MartinLogan Dynamo 12 costs roughly 1.8x what MartinLogan 800X does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (24Hz vs 22Hz). |
| Amplifier power | B | MartinLogan Dynamo 12 has the bigger amplifier - 800W against 300W RMS, about 4.3dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | MartinLogan Dynamo 12 moves more air: 12" against 10" is 1.44x the cone area, not the 1.2x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are sealed designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | MartinLogan 800X is about 50% 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 | A | MartinLogan 800X costs less - $900 against $1,600, about 44% less. |
A MartinLogan 800X B MartinLogan Dynamo 12
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 12 measures better, MartinLogan 800X costs about 44% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. 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 $900 each, two MartinLogan 800X cost about $1,800 against $1,600 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - MartinLogan 800X is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.