In this review, we will be comparing Dynamo IW-O and IWSub 1010, two Passive In-wall speakers from MartinLogan and Definitive Technology. Let's have a brief look at the main features of MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O and Definitive IWSub 1010 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 IW-O and Definitive IWSub 1010 have a totally different setup: the MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O features 2 x 8-inch drivers whereas the IWSub 1010 features 1 x 10-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Dynamo IW-O has a frequency range of 30-190Hz whereas IWSub 1010 has a frequency range of 16-200Hz. With a minimum frequency of 16Hz, the IWSub 1010 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Dynamo IW-O's min frequency of 30Hz.
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 In-wall class in our database.
Low Frequency
In-wall Speakers
High Frequency
In-wall Speakers
Power Range
Dynamo IW-O has a power range of 50-400 watts RMS whereas IWSub 1010 has a power range of up to 275 watts.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Dynamo IW-O features Spring post type posts and IWSub 1010 has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 IW-O's and Definitive IWSub 1010's external dimensions. MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O has external dimensions of 485.4 x 272.5 x 104.1mm () whereas Definitive IWSub 1010 has external dimensions of 505.0 x 366.0 x 97.0mm (19.8750-inch x 14.3750-inch x 3.8125-inch).
MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O is 93.5mm narrower and 19.6mm shorter than Definitive IWSub 1010 but it is also 7.1mm deeper.
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 IW-O weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Definitive IWSub 1010 weighs 10.43kg / 22.9lbs. This makes the IWSub 1010 53% heavier than the Dynamo IW-O.
Here is a comparison of how Dynamo IW-O and IWSub 1010's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive In-wall class.
Weight
All In-wall Speakers
What's in the Box of MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Dynamo IW-O:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille
- Cutout Template
What's in the Box of Definitive IWSub 1010?
Here are the items that come with the IWSub 1010:
- In-wall subwoofer
- Grille (attached)
- 7 Self-adhesive foam gaskets
- 6 Screws
- Wall-template
- Paint mask
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration card
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
275 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Height |
485mm
vs
505mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
283cm2
vs
355cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
16 Hz
vs
30 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
190 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
1 x 10-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1398USD
|
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.
Definitive IWSub 1010 needs about 25% more floor area. Definitive IWSub 1010 is 20mm taller.
| General |
MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O |
Definitive Technology IWSub 10/10 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Power Range |
50-400 watts |
up to 275 watts |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
30-190Hz |
16-200Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Thermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
485.4mm (19.1") |
505.0mm (19.9") |
| Width |
272.5mm (10.7") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Depth |
104.1mm (4.1") |
97.0mm (3.8") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
10.43kg (22.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
In-wall |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Definitive IWSub 1010 goes deeper - 16Hz against 30Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Driver area | A | MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O moves more air: 2 x 8" against 10" is 1.28x the cone area, not the 1.13x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Cabinet size | depends | MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O is about 23% 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 | Definitive IWSub 1010 costs less - $999 against $1,398, about 29% less. |
A MartinLogan Dynamo IW-O B Definitive IWSub 1010
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let your room size and where the box can actually stand settle it.
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.