Friday, August 26, 2016

Sennheiser debuts GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO audio amplifiers at Gamescom 2016

Hear everything, own the game: Sennheiser debuts GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO audio amplifiers at Gamescom 2016

Old Lyme, Conn, August 24, 2016 – When you’re playing to win, you need to see everything, hear everything and act in an instant. To own the game, you need a winning edge. At Gamescom 2016, held last week in Cologne, Germany, Sennheiser unveiled the new GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO, for competitive gamers seeking to advance to the next level in audio performance. The audio specialist’s new audio amplifiers for PC and Mac are the very first to feature an advanced 7.1 algorithm from Sennheiser that has been developed with the needs of core gamers in mind. It is Surround Sound reborn – the ultimate positional gaming audio, with incredibly precise spatial awareness for the most thrilling immersive experience.
 
The GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO have been designed to be the heart of your gaming sound, with Sennheiser’s new Binaural Rendering Engine creating exceptionally immersive Surround Sound. Meanwhile, professional level built quality and ergonomics reflect a pure focus on the needs of even the most dedicated gamer.
 
“These new audio amplifiers draw on Sennheiser’s full expertise in professional audio to give gamers a competitive edge when playing at the limits,” explains Andreas Jessen, Product Manager Gaming, Sennheiser Communications A/S. “This focus is reflected in the design and ergonomics of every aspect of their software and hardware – from an all-new Surround Sound system that delivers unprecedented positional accuracy, to software and physical design that offers the maximum control without distracting from gameplay. With its dedicated features to cater for elite competitive gaming, the GSX 1200 PRO more than lives up to its professional status.”
 
The audio amplifiers are powered by dedicated DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) chips that require no additional drivers, ensuring the ultimate ease of use – even when mid-game. There’s no need to tab out of the game into onscreen software as the GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO handle all sound processing on their internal chipsets rather on the computer’s CPU.
 
Designed for total focus on the game
Angled for easy visibility when gaming by an integrated kickstand, the LED lit displays of the GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO take inspiration from the instrumentation on performance cars and fighter planes – giving fast immediate information and allowing players to rapidly adjust sound on the fly. Featuring red on black LED-lit touch panel displays surrounded by a durable aluminum volume wheel, the new audio amplifiers radiate a sense of potency, purpose and total focus on the gaming experience. The display even dims down when not in use to cut the distractions and brightens the instant it senses your hand is near.
 
The amplifiers provide double USB Enumeration to separate game and communication audio, and to give precise separate control of each of these elements of the sound experience. As well as a range of EQ settings, users can set reverberation levels to change the feeling of the virtual room they are playing in. For improved comfort during team communication, side tone adjustment makes it easy to change how loud one’s own voice sounds. Toggling swiftly between headset and speaker sound is also possible at a touch, so there’s no need to unplug cables.
 
Get Tournament Ready with the GSX 1200 PRO
Designed for competitive eSports arenas, the GSX 1200 PRO has been created by Sennheiser specifically for professional gamers. It adds features such as Chat Link, which makes it possible to connect up to 8 GSX 1200 PRO's together for hard-wired lag-free communication. This professional model also allows control of inbound and outbound chat, with an advanced noise reduction feature that is optimized for headsets such as Sennheiser’s GAME ZERO to deliver crystal clear in-game communication.
 
And just like Sennheiser’s professional gaming headsets, both new audio amplifiers are constructed with the audio specialist’s characteristic attention to detail, with high quality materials that ensure long lasting durability.
 
Both GSX 1000 and GSX 1200 PRO are available from the end of September 2016 and are priced as follows: GSX 1000 - $229.95 US ($279.99 CAN), GSX 1200 PRO - $249.95 US ($309.99 CAN). As all Sennheiser products, they are built to last and come with a two-year worldwide warranty
.


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Sunday, August 21, 2016

RE Audio SXX 10 Inch Car Audio Subwoofer Review

I tend to be a bit of a bass head.  I like a lot of bass.  When it comes to car audio, that means that you need a subwoofer.  Car subwoofers come in all different sizes and power handling ratings.  The higher the power handling, the louder the potential output.  If you are looking for one of the best, it needs to be able to handle a lot of power.  A company well known for manufacturing impressive car subwoofers is RE Audio.  And up for review today is their Re Audio SXX 10 inch subwoofer.


Features and specs:
·  Dual Composite 2-piece Cone
·  Rubatek Foam Surround
·  Cast Aluminum Basket
·  Tork-Tite Terminal
·  3 " 8-layer Aluminum Voice Coil
·  FEA Optimized Motor Structure
·  Triple Stack Magnets
·  Progressive Spiders
·  Wrap around Rubber Gasket
·  Nominal Impedance: Dual 2 or 4 Ohm
·  Power Handling: 1000 W (RMS)

The RE Audio SXX subwoofer came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs of the subwoofer. The subwoofer sat well protected in custom molded Styrofoam. Although it wasn’t really needed, as the RE Audio SXX is very solidly built. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal with some foam and polypropylene. The magnet is large and the black cast metal basket is actually shallower than expected. The polypropylene cone is well secured to the beefy foam surround. Quality of materials used was very good. And the fit and finish was equally impressive. The terminals use a hex key. It isn’t as simple as a push terminal, but you will know you have a solid connection. Also included is the owner’s manual.

For the listening tests, I wanted something challenging from different genres.  And I decided to go more old school.  ZZ Top is a classic, so we used their song Gimme All Your Lovin, along with New Order Blue Monday, which is also a hard hitter.  And of course a subwoofer challenge wouldn't be complete without using a bass disk.  For that I also turned to old school Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam.  Last but not least I also wanted something for the more pure audiophiles, so that all bases are covered.  For that task we included Also Sprach Zarathustra.  It's most popular for the intro scene of 2001 A Space Odyssey.  


The listening tests were done in both sealed and ported.  We went with a 1.50 cu ft sealed enclosure, and a 1.75 cu ft ported enclosure.  Since the listening tests were done using both sealed and ported, there were the two different tests.  And each test was done in two parts.  The first part was for output with an SPL meter, and the 2nd part was done for sound quality.  With there being a wide range of cabin gains, depending on the vehicle you have, we did the listening evaluation in our test room.  Just keep in mind with these SPL numbers, that they will be even higher in your vehicle due to the cabin gain.  Now with all that said, lets get it on!

The first test was with the sealed enclosure.  Part A was just to measure peak song output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin reached up to 102 db.  New Order: Blue Monday went up to 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam reached up to 119db.  Last but not least, Also Sprach Zarathustra got up to 100db.  


Part B of the sealed enclosure test was all about listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the beats were clean with
 really good impact and lots of authority.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were really tight with knock the wind out of your chest jackhammer type of punch.  They also lad lots of depth with good output.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, the bass was really deep with lots of well controlled excursion!  Not only was it really loud, but it was clean doing so!  Also Sprach Zarathustra, provided nice sustained low end extension that was smooth yet deep.  It also provided nice resolution of the mallet on the tympani.


Now is the ported enclosure test for the RE Audio SXX subwoofer.  Part A for the output showed ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday got up to 113db.  Techmaster PB: Activate and Time To Jam, got to 122db.  Then Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 103db.


Part B of the ported enclosure test for the RE Audio SXX subwoofer was back to listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, had really nice depth with lots of authority.  Bass beats were also nice and tight with in your chest impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, yielded very tight in your chest beats that didn't miss a beat.  Timing was right on and not muddy.  The motor controlled the cone very well, giving clean deep bass.  Techmaster PB: Activate and Time To Jam, is always a big test for any subwoofer, yet this one handled it in spades.  There was tons of excursion that was well controlled and not sloppy.  It hit hard, and did so very well.  Also Sprach Zarathustra provided nice smooth sustained low rumble that was extremely deep yet with ok output doing so.  And there was good resolution, being able to hear the mallets on the tympani pad.


I love a good hard hitting sub.  And the RE Audio SXX 10 inch subwoofer delivered in spades.  Not only was it extremely loud and clean doing so, it was also very musical with good resolution.  It was more musical than I expected from a sub designed for as much output as the RE Audio SXX sub does.  If you want a sub that can handle a ton of power, and you have the amplifier power for it, the RE Audio SXX sub should be on your short list.  Based on it's design, features, quality, and performance, the RE Audio SXX subwoofer has earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.reaudio.com.  Reference gear used in the review included Kenwood DNN990HD receiver, Audiocontrol DQSX Electronic EQ and Crossover, Vibe Audio Black Death Bass 1 Class GH subwoofer amp, Install Bay 100 Amp Power supply.



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Friday, August 19, 2016

Image Dynamics IDMAX10 Car Subwoofer Review

If you are looking for a car stereo subwoofer, there are lots to choose from.  Some are cheaper, some are expensive.  Some can handle a bit of power.  Some can handle a ton of power and play louder because of it.  And some have really good resolution and are very musical.  Usually resolution and power come at a price.  Those are reserved for the best of the best.  If the best of the best is what you're looking for, then the Image Dynamics IDMAX10 could be just what you are looking for.


Features and specs:
IMP Dual 4 Ohm Nominal Impedance
Re 3.15 Ohms DC Resistance
Fs 26.87 Hz Resonant Frequency
Qes0.52 Electrical "Q"
Qms2.91Mechanical "Q"
Qts0.44 Total "Q"
Vas 1.71 cuft(48.35 liters) Equivalent Volume
Xmax39 mmPeak Excursion
Sd394.00 cm2Piston Area
SPL 84.50 dBSensitivity w/m
BL 18.15 Tm Force Factor
Pwr1000RMS Power



The Image Dynamics IDMAX10 came extremely well boxed. The outer box was color printed, with photos of the driver card it’s specs. Opening the box revealed an inner box pulling out the subwoofer showed an excellently made subwoofer. Materials used was mostly metal, with some foam and polypropylene. Quality of materials used was excellent. The magnet was huge, and the black metal cast basket is huge as well. The foam surround and cone appeared well put together. The fit and finish was excellent. It’s their premium line of subs, and it shows.  Also inclue was the spec sheet, and some foam stickers to go around the bottom of the basket to help give a good seal...nice touch.
The Image Dynamics is a real juggernaut. That means you need an enclosure big enough to house it. The Image Dynamics IDMAX10 with it’s large magnet could be a tad difficult to fit in some enclosure designs. But it's  designed to put out a lot of sound. This is especially true when you think about it's power handling capabilities! And speaking of power handling, let’s see how it perform!

For the listening tests, I wanted something challenging from different genres.  And I decided to go more old school.  ZZ Top is a classic, so we used their song Gimme All Your Lovin, along with New Order Blue Monday, which is also a hard hitter.  And of course a subwoofer challenge wouldn't be complete without using a bass disk.  For that I also turned to old school Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam.  Last but not least I also wanted something for the more pure audiophiles, so that all bases are covered.  For that task we included Also Sprach Zarathustra.  It's most popular for the intro scene of 2001 A Space Oddessey.  The listening tests were done in both sealed and ported.  We went with a 1.50 cu ft sealed enclosure, and a 1.75 cu ft ported enclosure

Since the listening tests were done using both sealed and ported, there were the two different tests.  And each test was done in two parts.  The first part was for output with an SPL meter, and the 2nd part was done for sound quality.  With there being a wide range of cabin gains, depending on the vehicle you have, we did the listening evaluation in our test room.  And just keep in mind with these SPL numbers, that they will be even higher in your vehicle due to the cabin gain.  Now with all that said, lets get it on!

Test one will be using the sealed enclosure.  The first part of the test is the output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday, hit 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam got all the way up to 118db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra reached 102db.

Part B of the sealed enclosure test was about the listening and sound quality.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the bass went pleasantly deep, had excellent dynamics and impact.  It played clean and hit hard.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were impressively well timed, with zero problems of keeping up with the fast beats.  The cone was extremely well controlled, and the impact hit like a sledgehammer!  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam brought an instant smile to my face.  Talk about hitting hard!  The bass was nice and deep, with tons of output, and was clean doing so.  It also had tons of excursion that was well controlled and not muddy.  Also Sprach Zarathustra, the sustained low end rumble was really clean and smooth.  The impact of the mallet on the tympani had good audible impact on the pad.  

Now it's time for the ported enclosure test.  The first part of the test was for output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, hit 104db.  New Order: Blue Monday, peaked at 114db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, reached 121db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra went up to 106db.


And the last test for the Image Dynamics IDMAX10 is the sound quality test with the ported enclosure.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, hit nice and hard with the bass beats.  Not quite as tight as the sealed, but it did play louder with still really good impact and depth.  New Order: Blue Monday has impressively fast beats that had really good in your chest punch and good depth at the same time.  The motor structure did a great job containing the cone, playing the beats just as the music required with a really clean sound.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, was very impressive.  The bass went very deep, and the excursion was extreme.  But it was also well controlled.  It hit hard, with great output.  It definitely got loud!  Also Sprach Zarathustra had an impressive low end rumble that was extremely well sustained and very deep.  It also provided a ton of resolution, being able to hear the impact of the mallet on the pad of the tympani very well.


The Image Dynamics IDMAX10 is one serious subwoofer.  The magnet is huge and can handle a ton of power.  The cast basket is extremely strong to be able to handle all of this power.  And the surround allows for a lot of excursion.  It's made to play loud, and with it's robust build quality, it will last a long time doing so.  Based on it's design, features, quality, and performance, the Image Dynamics IDMAX10 has earned our Editor's Choice Award.  Kudos to Image Dynamics for a great job on an excellent performer.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.imagedynamicsusa.net.  Reference gear used in the review included Kenwood DNN990HD receiver, Audiocontrol DQSX Electronic EQ and Crossover, Vibe Audio Black Death Bass 1 Class GH subwoofer amp, Install Bay 100 Amp Power supply.


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Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection 10 Inch Car Subwoofer Review

When it comes to car stereo subwoofers, not all are created equal.  Most are designed to handle 200-300 watts RMS.  Some can handle up to 500 watts RMS.  Few can handle more than that.  Enter the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection.  It is a 10 inch car stereo subwoofer that can handle a ton of power.  Not just 300, or even 500 watts.  The Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection 10 inch subwoofer can handle an incredible 1,000 watts of power.  And that's RMS, not peak!


Features and specs:

·  8 Spoke Black Cast Basket
·  3" 4 Layer Aluminum Voice Coil
·  Double Black Progressive Spiders with Woven Tinsel Leads
·  Injected Pulp Matrix Fiber Reinforced Cone
·  Dual Layer Foam Surround
·  7.25" 140 Oz Double Magnet Structure with Black Nickel Finish
·  352 Oz / 22 Pound Motor Structure
·  Interlocking Aluminum Spider Spacer Assembly
·  CILD² - Center Interlocking Dustcap
·  ADC - Air Driven Cooling
·  Nickel Plated Push Terminals
·  Wrap Around Rubber Gasket
·  1000 Watt RMS Rated
·  DVC 2 ohm or 4 ohm

The Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection subwoofer came in a basic box, but was well protected. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal with some foam and paper. The huge magnet is nickel finished. The metal frame is cast. The cone is an injected pulp matrix fiber. The surround is a double layer treated foam. The quality of materials used was very good. The fit and finish was also very good. I liked the push terminals, which helped make wiring it up very simple. You can tell it is a very well made sub, that can handle a lot of power. Also included was the owners manual, and Incriminator Audio stickers.

For the listening tests, I wanted something challenging from different genres.  And I decided to go more old school.  ZZ Top is a classic, so we used their song Gimme All Your Lovin, along with New Order Blue Monday, which is also a hard hitter.  And of course a subwoofer challenge wouldn't be complete without using a bass disk.  For that I also turned to old school Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam.  Last but not least I also wanted something for the more pure audiophiles, so that all bases are covered.  For that task we included Also Sprach Zarathustra.  It's most popular for the intro scene of 2001 A Space Oddessey.  


The listening tests were done in a 1.75 cu ft ported enclosure tuned to 33hz, and was done in two parts.  The first part was for output with an SPL meter, and the 2nd part was done for sound quality.  With there being a wide range of cabin gains, depending on the vehicle you have, we did the listening evaluation in our test room.  Just keep in mind with these SPL numbers, that they will be even higher in your vehicle due to the cabin gain.  Now with all that said, lets get it on!
 First up is the output test.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin managed 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday reached 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, got up to 120db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 103db.  


Now it's time for Part B of the listening test, for the sound quality listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the beats were deep with very good authority and impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, the very fast beats were precise, with high impact.  The motor controlled the cone very well, with no hint of muddiness.  They provided very good in your chest punch.  It also had nice deep smooth low end extension with lots of output.    Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, the sub played very deep with lots of output.  It hit really hard, and provided a ton of excursion which appeared to take the driver close to it's limits.  But these tracks are a challenge for any subwoofer.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had good sustained low rumble that was smooth.  And I was able to make out the impact of the mallet on the tympani, with its good resolution.



The Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection is one well put together subwoofer.  But it is more than just build quality.  It performs very good as well.  From the massive motor to the strong cast basket, it is designed to play loud for years.  Based on it's design, features, quality, and performance, the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection has earned our Highly Recommended Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.incriminatoraudio.com. Reference gear used in the review included Kenwood DNN990HD receiver, Audiocontrol DQSX Electronic EQ and Crossover, Vibe Audio Black Death Bass 1 Class GH subwoofer amp, Install Bay 100 Amp Power supply.



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Massive Audio Summo 10 Inch Car Subwoofer Review

When it comes to car stereo subwoofers, loud is how most of us like it.  To play loud, the subwoofer needs to be able to handle a lot of power.  It also needs to be designed to be able to handle all of that power.  One company that makes a great subwoofer to those standards is Massive Audio.  And they build their subs after their name....massive!  And that is definitely the case with their 10 inch Massive Audio Summo subwoofer.

Features and specs:

* Die Cast Basket with Black Textured Finish
* Kevlar Fiber Enhanced Non-Pressed Paper Cone with Textured Paint Finish
* EROM Foam Surround with Red Stitching* 3.0" 4-Layer Hi-Temp Voice Coil
* Fiberglass Woven Dust Cap
* Enhanced Cooling T-yoke Design with Black Anodized Finish
* Triple Stacked 225oz High Energy Magnets
* Triple Black Poly Cotton Spiders with Mirror Image Layout
* Customized Rubber Gasket and Magnet Boot
* 10 Gauge Power Cable with Direct Lead Connection
* Dual 4 Ohm Impedance

The Massive Audio Summo came in a standard box, printed with it’s features and specs. Sitting in custom moulded Styrofoam, the Massive Audio Summo was well protected. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal, with some foam and paper. Quality of materials used was very good. The magnet was massive, and cast metal basket is extremely strong. That strength was also found in the injected pulp cone that was stitched to the beefy foam surround. Tinsel leads are sewn in as well. The Massive Audio Summo is put together like a tank. It looks to be able to easily handle the 1500 watts RMS rating. Fit and finish was very good. Also include was a sheet to help with mounting the Summo, along with a spec sheet.

The Massive Audio Summo is a beast! The magnet on the Massive Audio Summo is, well, massive!  But rated at 1500 watts RMS, I would expect it to be! That also means you need an enclosure big enough to house it. The Massive Audio with it’s large fat magnet could be a tad difficult to fit in some enclosure designs. This is especially true when you think about their power handling capabilities! And speaking of power handling, let’s see how these bad boys perform!


For the listening tests, I wanted something challenging from different genres.  And I decided to go more old school.  ZZ Top is a classic, so we used their song Gimme All Your Lovin, along with New Order Blue Monday, which is also a hard hitter.  And of course a subwoofer challenge wouldn't be complete without using a bass disk.  For that I also turned to old school Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam.  Last but not least I also wanted something for the more pure audiophiles, so that all bases are covered.  For that task we included Also Sprach Zarathustra.  It's most popular for the intro scene of 2001 A Space Oddessey.  The listening tests were done in both sealed and ported.  We went with a 1.50 cu ft sealed enclosure, and a 1.75 cu ft ported enclosure tuned to 33Hz.  

Since the listening tests were done using both sealed and ported, there were the two different tests.  And each test was done in two parts.  The first part was for output with an SPL meter, and the 2nd part was done for sound quality.  With there being a wide range of cabin gains, depending on the vehicle you have, we did the listening evaluation in our test room.  Just keep in mind with these SPL numbers, that they will be even higher in your vehicle due to the cabin gain.  Now with all that said, lets get it on!

First up is the sealed enclosure tests, which starts with the output measurements.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, got up to 100db.  New Order: Blue Monday hit 109db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, reached up to 118db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 99db.

Let's now do the sound quality test with the sealed enclosure.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the bass was nice and deep, with good authority.  They also had really good punch to the chest impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were really fast yet well defined and not muddy at all.  Not only were none of the beats missed, they were right on cue!  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, provided really clean and good low end extension.  The Summo played with excellent authority. The beats were really strong jackhammer to the chect impact!  The cone was also well controlled by the motor with very good excursion.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had nice smooth low end rumble with good output for it's depth.  The tympani had good resolution, being able to hear the impact of the mallet on the pad.
Now it's time for the ported enclosure test for the Massive Audio Summo.  First we will test the output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday, got up to 112db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, hit 120db.  And lastly Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 101db.


Lastly it is time for the sound quality test.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, showed nice and punchy bass with really good depth and output.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were very fast, hit really hard, and was really clean doing so.  The cone was very well controlled and timing of the beats was perfect.  It wasn't muddy at all.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, yielded excellent output and played really deep.  It hit really hard with tons of extremely well controlled excursion.  And with it being rated up to 1,500 watts RMS, I could tell it was ready to handle a lot more power, like an engine with a lot of torque on tap.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had sustained bass that was deep and smooth.  It also had good resolution, being able to hear the mallet on the tympani.
The Massive Audio Summo 10 inch car subwoofer was correctly named.  It is one seriously huge subwoofer!  It has one seriously massive motor to handle a ridiculous 1,500 watts RMS!  If extremely loud bass is not enough for you, and you have the extra amplifier power to push it, the Massive Audio Summo could be just what you need.  And it's cast basket has the strength to keep you pounding for years to come.  Based on it's design, features, quality, and performance, the Massive Audio Summo 10 inch subwoofer has earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.massiveaudio.com. Reference gear used in the review included Kenwood DNN990HD receiver, Audiocontrol DQSX Electronic EQ and Crossover, Vibe Audio Black Death Bass 1 Class GH subwoofer amp, Install Bay 100 Amp Power supply.



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Thursday, August 11, 2016

2016 10" Car Subwoofer Challenge: The Real Contenders Subwoofer Review Featuring Incriminator Audio, Image Dynamics, Massive Audio, and RE Audio

The NBA Finals are long since over, but watching the teams play, there’s reasons other teams didn’t even make the playoffs. So we thought it would be fun to do a Subwoofer Challenge. And we wanted the Subwoofer Challenge to be for the real contenders. After all, not all subwoofers are created equal. And not all can take the heat, or excessive power. So we set the criteria at 1,000 watts RMS or more, with a 10 inch subwoofer, and reached out to those manufacturers that made such a subwoofer. The contenders are Incriminator Audio with their Lethal Injection, Image dynamics with their IDMAX10, the Massive Audio Summo 10", and RE Audio SXX10.



We will first do the build quality for each driver. This way you will get an idea of how long they could last, as well as perform. Lastly we will do the listening tests. There will be two difference listening tests. The first will be in a sealed enclosure, and the 2nd will be in a ported enclosure. Each listening test will have two parts. The first part will be sound quality, and the 2nd part will be for SPL good output. We will rate each sub in each test, and see how they perform against each in an apples to apples test using the same enclosure and the same amount of power. The reference subwoofer amp we used is a Vibe Audio Black Death Class GH amp that puts out 1,400 watts at 2ohms.  The logistics of working with all the manufacturers took some time.  We didn't want to have any potential issues with any of the subs, since most of them are rated at 1,000 watts RMS.  So we toned things down a bit on the amp. The sealed enclosure is 1.5 cu ft ,and the ported enclosure is tuned to 33Hz.

We'll start with the Image Dynamics

Features and specs:

IMP Dual 4 Ohm Nominal Impedance
Re 3.15 Ohms DC Resistance
Fs 26.87 Hz Resonant Frequency
Qes0.52 Electrical "Q"
Qms2.91Mechanical "Q"
Qts0.44 Total "Q"
Vas 1.71 cuft(48.35 liters) Equivalent Volume
Xmax39 mmPeak Excursion
Sd394.00 cm2Piston Area
SPL 84.50 dBSensitivity w/m
BL 18.15 Tm Force Factor
Pwr1000RMS Power
 

The Image Dynamics IDMAX10 came extremely well boxed. The outer box was color printed, with photos of the driver card it’s specs. Opening the box revealed an inner box pulling out the subwoofer showed an excellently made subwoofer. Materials used was mostly metal, with some foam and polypropylene. Quality of materials used was excellent. The magnet was huge, and the black metal cast basket is huge as well. The foam surround and cone appeared well put together. The fit and finish was excellent. It’s their premium line of subs, and it shows.  Also inclue was the spec sheet, and some foam stickers to go around the bottom of the basket to help give a good seal...nice touch.

Next in line is the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection.


Features and specs:

  • 8 Spoke Black Cast Basket
  • 3" 4 Layer Aluminum Voice Coil
  • Double Black Progressive Spiders with Woven Tinsel Leads
  • Injected Pulp Matrix Fiber Reinforced Cone
  • Dual Layer Foam Surround
  • 7.25" 140 Oz Double Magnet Structure with Black Nickel Finish
  • 352 Oz / 22 Pound Motor Structure
  • Interlocking Aluminum Spider Spacer Assembly
  • CILD² - Center Interlocking Dustcap
  • ADC - Air Driven Cooling
  • Nickel Plated Push Terminals
  • Wrap Around Rubber Gasket
  • 1000 Watt RMS Rated
  • DVC 2 ohm or 4 ohm

  • The Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection subwoofer came in a basic box, but was well protected. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal with some foam and paper. The huge magnet is nickel finished. The metal frame is cast. The cone is an injected pulp matrix fiber. The surround is a double layer treated foam. The quality of materials used was very good. The fit and finish was also very good. I liked the push terminals, which helped make wiring it up very simple. You can tell it is a very well made sub, that can handle a lot of power. Also included was the owners manual, and Incriminator Audio stickers.

    Now it’s time for the Massive Audio Summo.
    Features and specs:

    * Die Cast Basket with Black Textured Finish
    * Kevlar Fiber Enhanced Non-Pressed Paper Cone with Textured Paint Finish
    * EROM Foam Surround with Red Stitching* 3.0" 4-Layer Hi-Temp Voice Coil
    * Fiberglass Woven Dust Cap
    * Enhanced Cooling T-yoke Design with Black Anodized Finish
    * Triple Stacked 225oz High Energy Magnets
    * Triple Black Poly Cotton Spiders with Mirror Image Layout
    * Customized Rubber Gasket and Magnet Boot
    * 10 Gauge Power Cable with Direct Lead Connection
    * Dual 4 Ohm Impedance

    The Massive Audio Summo came in a standard box, printed with it’s features and specs. Sitting in custom moulded Styrofoam, the Massive Audio Summo was well protected. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal, with some foam and paper. Quality of materials used was very good. The magnet was massive, and cast metal basket is extremely strong. That strength was also found in the injected pulp cone that was stitched to the beefy foam surround. Tinsel leads are sewn in as well. The Massive Audio Summo is put together like a tank. It looks to be able to easily handle the 1500 watts RMS rating. Fit and finish was very good. Also include was a sheet to help with mounting the Summo, along with a spec sheet.

    Last but not least is the RE audio SXX subwoofer.

    Features and specs:

  • Dual Composite 2-piece Cone
  • Rubatek Foam Surround
  • Cast Aluminum Basket
  • Tork-Tite Terminal
  • 3 " 8-layer Aluminum Voice Coil
  • FEA Optimized Motor Structure
  • Triple Stack Magnets
  • Progressive Spiders
  • Wrap around Rubber Gasket
  • Nominal Impedance: Dual 2 or 4 Ohm
  • Power Handling: 1000 W (RMS)

  • The RE Audio SXX subwoofer came in a nice looking color printed box with photos and specs of the subwoofer. The subwoofer sat well protected in custom molded Styrofoam. Although it wasn’t really needed, as the RE Audio SXX is very solidly built. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal with some foam and polypropylene. The magnet is large and the black cast metal basket is actually shallower than expected. The polypropylene cone is well secured to the beefy foam surround. Quality of materials used was very good. And the fit and finish was equally impressive. The terminals use a hex key. It isn’t as simple as a push terminal, but you will know you have a solid connection. Also included is the owner’s manual.

    All of these subs are impressive to behold. But they do have their differences. The Image Dynamics is a real juggernaut, as is the Massive Audio Summo. The magnet on the Massive Audio Summo is actually the biggest of all of them.  But rated at 1500 watts RMS, I would expect it to be! That also means you need an enclosure big enough to house it. You can see how they compare in size from the included picture of them all lined up to each other. The massive Audio with it’s large fat magnet could be a tad difficult to fit in some enclosure designs. While the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection and RE Audio SXX are not shallow mount subwoofers, they do have a smaller mounting depth.  And all of these subwoofers are designed to put out a lot of sound. This is especially true when you think about their power handling capabilities! And speaking of power handling, let’s see how these bad boys perform!

    For the listening tests, I wanted something challenging from different genres.  And I decided to go more old school.  ZZ Top is a classic, so we used their song Gimme All Your Lovin, along with New Order Blue Monday, which is also a hard hitter.  And of course a subwoofer challenge wouldn't be complete without using a bass disk.  For that I also turned to old school Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam.  Last but not least I also wanted something for the more pure audiophiles, so that all bases are covered.  For that task we included Also Sprach Zarathustra.  It's most popular for the intro scene of 2001 A Space Oddessey. 

    The listening tests were done in both sealed and ported.  We went with a 1.50 cu ft sealed enclosure, and a 1.75 cu ft ported enclosure.  In reviewing air space possibilities with the manufacturers, Incriminator Audio advised their Lethal Injection could be used in a sealed enclosure up to 1.0 cu ft.  So their Lethal Injection was not included in the sealed listening test.

    Since the listening tests were done using both sealed and ported, there were the two different tests.  And each test was done in two parts.  The first part was for output with an SPL meter, and the 2nd part was done for sound quality.  With there being a wide range of cabin gains, depending on the vehicle you have, we did the listening evaluation in our test room.  With the same amp and settings used for each subwoofer, you'll be able to see a true apples to apples test of how they stack up to each other.  The only substantial variable would be the Massive Audio Summo.  With it's higher 1500 watts RMS rating, it can potentially be pushed much harder for even more output.  And just keep in mind with these SPL numbers, that they will be even higher in your vehicle due to the cabin gain.  Now with all that said, lets get it on!

    First up is the Image Dynamics IDMAX10.  Test one will be using the sealed enclosure.  The first part of the test is the output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday, hit 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam got all the way up to 118db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra reached 102db.

    Part B of the sealed enclosure test was about the listening and sound quality.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the bass went pleasantly deep, had excellent dynamics and impact.  It played clean and hit hard.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were impressively well timed, with zero problems of keeping up with the fast beats.  The cone was extremely well controlled, and the impact hit like a sledgehammer!  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam brought an instant smile to my face.  Talk about hitting hard!  The bass was nice and deep, with tons of output, and was clean doing so.  It also had tons of excursion that was well controlled and not muddy.  Also Sprach Zarathustra, the sustained low end rumble was really clean and smooth.  The impact of the mallet on the tympani had good audible impact on the pad. 

    Now it's time for the ported enclosure test.  The first part of the test was for output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, hit 104db.  New Order: Blue Monday, peaked at 114db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, reached 121db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra went up to 106db.

    And the last test for the Image Dynamics IDMAX10 is the sound quality test with the ported enclosure.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, hit nice and hard with the bass beats.  Not quite as tight as the sealed, but it did play louder with still really good impact and depth.  New Order: Blue Monday has impressively fast beats that had really good in your chest punch and good depth at the same time.  The motor structure did a great job containing the cone, playing the beats just as the music required with a really clean sound.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, was very impressive.  The bass went very deep, and the excursion was extreme.  But it was also well controlled.  It hit hard, with great output.  It definitely got loud!  Also Sprach Zarathustra had an impressive low end rumble that was extremely well sustained and very deep.  It also provided a ton of resolution, being able to hear the impact of the mallet on the pad of the tympani very well.

    Next up is the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection, where we did just the ported enclosure test.  First up is the output test.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin managed 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday reached 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, got up to 120db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 103db. 

    Now it's time for Part B of the listening test, for the sound quality listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the beats were deep with very good authority and impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, the very fast beats were precise, with high impact.  The motor controlled the cone very well, with no hint of muddiness.  They provided very good in your chest punch.  It also had nice deep smooth low end extension with lots of output.    Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, the sub played very deep with lots of output.  It hit really hard, and provided a ton of excursion which appeared to take the driver close to it's limits.  But these tracks are a challenge for any subwoofer.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had good sustained low rumble that was smooth.  And I was able to make out the impact of the mallet on the tympani, with its good resolution.

    Now it's time for the Massive Audio Summo.  First up is the sealed enclosure tests, which starts with the output measurements.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, got up to 100db.  New Order: Blue Monday hit 109db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, reached up to 118db.  And Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 99db.

    Let's now do the sound quality test with the sealed enclosure.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the bass was nice and deep, with good authority.  They also had really good punch to the chest impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were really fast yet well defined and not muddy at all.  Not only were none of the beats missed, they were right on cue!  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, provided really clean and good low end extension.  The Summo played with excellent authority. The beats were really strong jackhammer to the chect impact!  The cone was also well controlled by the motor with very good excursion.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had nice smooth low end rumble with good output for it's depth.  The tympani had good resolution, being able to hear the impact of the mallet on the pad.


    Now it's time for the ported enclosure test for the Massive Audio Summo.  First we will test the output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday, got up to 112db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, hit 120db.  And lastly Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 101db.

    Lastly it is time for the sound quality test.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, showed nice and punchy bass with really good depth and output.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were very fast, hit really hard, and was really clean doing so.  The cone was very well controlled and timing of the beats was perfect.  It wasn't muddy at all.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, yielded excellent output and played really deep.  It hit really hard with tons of extremely well controlled excursion.  And with it being rated up to 1,500 watts RMS, I could tell it was ready to handle a lot more power, like an engine with a lot of torque on tap.  Also Sprach Zarathustra had sustained bass that was deep and smooth.  It also had good resolution, being able to hear the mallet on the tympani.

    Next is the RE Audio SXX 10" sub.  The first test was with the sealed enclosure.  Part A was just to measure peak song output.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin reached up to 102 db.  New Order: Blue Monday went up to 111db.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam reached up to 119db.  Last but not least, Also Sprach Zarathustra got up to 100db. 

    Part B of the sealed enclosure test was all about listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, the beats were clean with really good impact and lots of authority.  New Order: Blue Monday, the beats were really tight with knock the wind out of your chest jackhammer type of punch.  They also lad lots of depth with good output.  Techmaster PB: Activate, and Time To Jam, the bass was really deep with lots of well controlled excursion!  Not only was it really loud, but it was clean doing so!  Also Sprach Zarathustra, provided nice sustained low end extension that was smooth yet deep.  It also provided nice resolution of the mallet on the tympani.

    Now is the ported enclosure test for the RE Audio SXX subwoofer.  Part A for the output showed ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, reached 101db.  New Order: Blue Monday got up to 113db.  Techmaster PB: Activate and Time To Jam, got to 122db.  Then Also Sprach Zarathustra achieved 103db.

    Part B of the ported enclosure test for the RE Audio SXX subwoofer was back to listening.  ZZ Top: Gimme All Your Lovin, had really nice depth with lots of authority.  Bass beats were also nice and tight with in your chest impact.  New Order: Blue Monday, yielded very tight in your chest beats that didn't miss a beat.  Timing was right on and not muddy.  The motor controlled the cone very well, giving clean deep bass.  Techmaster PB: Activate and Time To Jam, is always a big test for any subwoofer, yet this one handled it in spades.  There was tons of excursion that was well controlled and not sloppy.  It hit hard, and did so very well.  Also Sprach Zarathustra provided nice smooth sustained low rumble that was extremely deep yet with ok output doing so.  And there was good resolution, being able to hear the mallets on the tympani pad.

    Now that the listening is over, I can honestly say this was a very difficult listening test and challenge.  Our goal was to test and listen to some of the best of the best subwoofers, and we knew it would be a tough competition.  We knew all of the subwoofers would perform very well.  But we also did not expect the performances of all the drivers to be so close to each other!  Some of the differences in performance really was hair splitting!  The Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection seemed at one point pushed close to it's limits, yet it still performed very well.  It had great output, and good resolution.  It's output was better than it's sound quality.  Yet it still has great sound quality.  The Image Dynamics IDMAX10, Massive Audio Summo, and RE Audio SXX subwoofers were even closer in performance.  The Image Dynamics IDMAX10 sounded the most musical, and had the best resolution, yet still had very strong output.  If sound quality is most important for you, that could be your driver.  The RE Audio SXX also had very good resolution, and was also very musical.  It had even better output, having the most output of the group!  If output is king, the RE Audio may be for you, knowing that it also sounds really good!  Last but not least is the Massive Audio Summo.  It also sounded really musical, and had very good resolution.  It performed a lot like the RE Audio with really good sound quality, and just a hair lower in output.  I also look at it as a sleeping giant.  Given it's significantly higher power handling capability, if output is king to you, and you have the extra amplifier power on tap, this one could be for you. 

    In the end, all of these subwoofers performed extremely well.  And they all deserve your hard earned cash.  And I can't see anyone not being pleased with either one of these subwoofers.  The decision in the end could come down to enclosure design, price, availability, or the particular look of the subwoofer.  Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection has earned our Highly Recommended Award.  The Image Dynamics IDMAX10, Massive Audio Summo, and RE Audio SXX  have earned our Editor's Choice Award.  Kudos to all the manufacturers for provided such amazing options with these products for our bass needs.  For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.incriminatoraudio.com, www.imagedynamicsusa.net, www.massiveaudio.com, and www.reaudio.com. Reference gear used in the review included Kenwood DNN990HD receiver, Audiocontrol DQSX Electronic EQ and Crossover, Vibe Audio Black Death Bass 1 Class GH subwoofer amp, Install Bay 100 Amp Power supply.



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