We've just released a new subwoofer model, actually, called the Dungeness for a target price of $599 (integrated amplifier). We've been so busy filling orders for them and clearing the decks of the rest of our orders lately that we haven't had time to properly release it on our website. You can find some details on our Facebook page for the time being
https://www.facebook.com/BlumenUltraFi. Because its still not officially released, it is still being priced at an introductory $549 until we get pictures up.
Magnepan speakers are a totally different beast from our compact fullrange design philosophy. Granted, I think the Maggies sound pretty good as well... different paths can lead a similarly good thing. And music is in the ear of the listener, afterall.
But from an engineering standpoint, the way we build and brace our subwoofer models (and the entire design philosophy behind the Dungeness and Orca Sub, for that matter), is the key behind their sonic integration with the Orcas which are given the same design philosophy. It is just as difficult to accomplish this trait of zero damping/sufficient strength when designing a subwoofer as a fullrange speaker - but the total result is a nice and non fatiguing kind of detail/speed and plenty of bass.
While cheap subs can work decently with the Orcas and some of our customers go this route, in my opinion, there just is not a cheap sub i've come across that I'd consider to be a viable replacement for the sound quality of our models. There aren't a whole lot of other fullrange designs out there that are capable of operating without the crutches of damping material, and so, also very few subwoofers that operate within the zero damping material/high strength design paradigm.
The zero damping material aspect that I insist upon is a trait that I feel is akin to zero negative feedback in an amplifier. What I'm looking for is to get the most extremely sharp and behaved impulse response from a single source of energy (alot like an SET) and then shape the resultant energy with the sufficiently well built enclosure/transformers into something that behaves in a mostly flat and linear way, and to then "excersize some patience" to accept some limitations in terms of power and dynamics and measurable distortion that this approach gives us. "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead with ~3.5 WPC and ~5 watt rated input!"
As long as there is nothing is in the signal path (physical or electronic) that's "hitting the brakes," then you often
can get more energy and musical excitement than you've bargained for on only those few watts/small component footprint.
I'm obsessed with this kind of engineering in other realms as well, have been my whole life, and now we run our business with it, actually. Everything we own (Molly is SO tolerant!) is a study in getting the most from the smallest. All 120 volt or hand operated tooling only, yet producing large volumes of cabinets comfortably with a small staff in a small shop laid out in an efficient manner. Only 100 horsepower in either the shop truck or the volvo wagon but they can haul simply massive loads and put up with serious abuse. The motorcycle has 7 horsepower but does 57mph, the Zodiac has a 5 horsepower 2 stroke but does 15+ knots, the sailboat (a Laser) can outrun the motorboat if the winds are strong enough and you're on the right tack. The most extreme example of this engineering/life excersize is a 1967 Saab 96 I had back in college that had 36 horsepower from a 650cc 2 stroke, tweaked to be able to run 105mph maximum speed (after 5 miles of flat). Land, Sea, Air (movement), Blumensteins!
Good call on the hum pots, Dan. I'll make sure to put that into our instruction manuals in the future.
Cheers!
Clark
