Abyss 8 is a very compact powered subwoofer with a 20.3 cm woofer flanked by two passive radiators, a 500 W amplifier and built-in wireless link: meant for deep bass in little space, for stereo and home cinema alike.
Abyss 8: what is inside
This is among the smallest subwoofers MartinLogan has ever made, a cube of roughly 34 cm a side. The design rests on what the company calls the Hybrid Woofer System: one active driver with an anodised aluminium cone and, on the side panels, two passive radiators of the same diameter and material. The arrangement gives the push of a reflex design with no port, hence no chuffing, while keeping the footprint and grip of a closed box. Stated response is 23-120 Hz within ±3 dB.
Power comes from the Magnitude MT-1kW, 500 W continuous and 1,000 W peak, overseen by the 500 MHz Vojtko DSP engine working at 64 bits. From a phone, the Subwoofer Control application over Bluetooth sets level, low-pass corner between 35 and 120 Hz and its slope, phase continuously from 0° to 180°, polarity, the level of the 20-30 Hz band and the three Movie, Music and Night curves. The subwoofer also accepts ARC room correction, which needs a measurement microphone and a computer, bought separately.
The wireless receiver is already on board and the transmitter comes in the box, so the subwoofer can go wherever it sounds best without running a signal cable. Those who prefer a wire will find stereo RCA, LFE on both RCA and XLR, high-level inputs and an output for a second subwoofer; the connections can be used together. The cabinet is 25.4 mm MDF, strengthened behind the drivers and tied by a central brace, and sits on anti-vibration feet to which carpet spikes can be added. It is offered in more than one finish.
Specifications
- Type: powered closed-box subwoofer with two passive radiators
- Frequency response: 23-120 Hz ±3 dB (anechoic, LFE input)
- Active woofer: 20.3 cm, anodised aluminium, pressed-steel basket
- Passive radiators: two 20.3 cm, anodised aluminium
- Amplifier: Magnitude MT-1kW, 500 W continuous (1,000 W peak)
- Processing: Vojtko DSP, 500 MHz, 64 bits
- Cabinet: 25.4 mm MDF with strengthened panels and central brace
- Wireless: receiver built in, transmitter supplied
- Line inputs: RCA left, right and LFE; XLR for LFE
- High-level inputs: left and right (banana plugs needed)
- Rear controls: level, test sweep, power mode, wireless pairing
- Low-pass (from app): 35-120 Hz, third or fourth order, defeatable
- Phase (from app): 0-180°, polarity normal or inverted
- Power-on: permanent, automatic or by 12 V trigger
- Room correction: works with ARC Genesis (kit not included)
- Feet: anti-vibration, carpet spikes in the box
- Size (H x W x D): 34.3 x 33.5 x 33.5 cm
- Weight: 21.2 kg
- Finishes: black, white
