TBI Magellan viii su subwoofer with TU 200 amp

Freo-1 · « **on:** 20 Nov 2012, 02:34 am »

I received my TBI Magellan viii su subwoofer and matching TU200 amp today. I’m currently let it break in, but so far, I am very impressed with its performance. Unlike most subwoofers, this one fill in the bottom octave in a musical fashion, as opposed to what I like to call “the explosion factor”

Right now, it is hooked up to a pair of Cary Silver Oak Model One speakers, which hit the 3db down point at 38 Hz. Running the Cary’s full range, and connecting the TBI amp to the high pass from the speakers (running the speakers full range), after adjusting the TBI to integrate with the Cary’s, the bass has extended down to the low to mid 20’s before starting to drop off, and there still is good information all the way down to 16/18 Hz or so. It’s as if the Cary’s are a different speaker, one that produces full range.

I’ll provide a detailed report over the next week or so, but so far, it’s very impressive. This is one of very few subwoofers I’ve ever heard that seems “fast enough” to keep up with planar/electrostatic type speakers. Most subwoofers I have tried using, at the end of the day, just did not seem to integrate all that well with the main speakers, regardless of the combination. The Magellan vii su does seem to integrate much easier and quicker than most. It only put outs bass when the music calls for it, without drawing attention to that part of the reproduction. Not an easy feat for any subwoofer.

If you have musical sounding monitors, and wish there was a little more bass, by all means, give this an audition. The SET crowd should find this subwoofer most useful.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:06 pm »

One other item I forgot to mention in the quick look:

While I was listening to the London recording of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #3 (a piece I know well), I heard for the fist time low level violins while featuring the piano that I did not know were there (with this particular recording). This was a revelation, as the clean subwoofer output enhanced the overall recording playback. The level of detail brought out with this subwoofer in the playback chain is remarkable.

I was about ready to give up on subwoofers, as every one I had tried either overpowered the presentation or just sounded detached from the music. The Magellen is the first one that I have heard that easily blended with the mains speakers. It actually makes the mains speakers sound like they are now full range. The distortion level is remarkably low as well.

I'll write a detailed report this weekend. Initially, the evaluation will be with a Pass Labs XA 30.5 amp for the mains. After that, will use the Millenia amp to see how much of an improvement it makes.

So, anyone here listened to one of these? I am amazed at how it sounds. I checked with a one guy who owns a pair, and he said they were the only subs he would ever buy. Otherwise, he would own full range speakers that did not need one.

Austin08 · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:28 pm »

Years ago, while my friend and I stopped by one of the sellers home on audiogon to pick up a used V12 Cary amp. At the time, we heard this sub paired with a pair of Totem Forest and thought the bass was very natural and unobstructive. It add weight and body to the lower region of the Totem. The nice thing was we hardly notice the sub was on. It sure did make the Totem sound much bigger.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:33 pm »

Quote from: Austin08 on 20 Nov 2012, 10:28 pm

Years ago, while my friend and I stopped by one of the sellers home on audiogon to pick up a used V12 Cary amp. At the time, we heard this sub paired with a pair of Totem Forest and thought the bass was very natural and unobstructive. It add weight and body to the lower region of the Totem. The nice thing was we hardly notice the sub was on. It sure did make the Totem sound much bigger.

Yes, that is what it does. That is why it would work well with planer/esl speakers as well as dynamic types. It is very fast sounding.

I think the high end mags have really "missed the boat" on this unit. It is unique, to be sure. There is nothing else like it on the scene.

JohnR · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:43 pm »

There's no "vii" on their site

MAGELLAN VI su
MAGELLAN VIP su
MAGELLAN VIII su
MAGELLAN VIII xu

Quote from: Freo-1 on 20 Nov 2012, 02:34 am

the bass has extended down to the low to mid 20’s before starting to drop off, and there still is good information all the way down to 16/18 Hz or so.

Did you measure this?

Freo-1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:46 pm »

Quote from: JohnR on 20 Nov 2012, 10:43 pm

There's no "vii" on their site

MAGELLAN VI su
MAGELLAN VIP su
MAGELLAN VIII su
MAGELLAN VIII xu

Did you measure this?

Sorry, mate, I used lower case vs. upper case, and forgot to type the last i (MAGELLAN VIII su)
Yes, I used my SPL meter. That is how I adjusted the sub to get it working.

Austin08 · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:11 pm »

Quote

Yes, that is what it does. That is why it would work well with planer/esl speakers as well as dynamic types. It is very fast sounding.

I think the high end Muppet's have really "missed the boat" on this unit. It is unique, to be sure. There is nothing else like it on the scene.

I agree. The size is as small as an amp is a big plus for space saving. While I heard the JL 110 with Maggie MG3A sound was impressive but cost a lot more compare to the Mangellan. But at the used price, I think the JL will attract more buyer.( due to high end name?)

Freo-1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:19 pm »

That's why I think the high end mags have missed the boat on this. It's pretty easy to integrate compared to most subs, and it's unique as far as the design goes.

The earlier version was reviewed some time ago, and it was very positive.

http://stereotimes.com/speak112204.shtml

Rclark · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:46 pm »

Quote from: Austin08 on 20 Nov 2012, 11:11 pm

I agree. The size is as small as an amp is a big plus for space saving. While I heard the JL 110 with Maggie MG3A sound was impressive but cost a lot more compare to the Mangellan. But at the used price, I think the JL will attract more buyer.( due to high end name?)

As a Maggie owner, I highly suggest you look at the Epik Legend, dual opposed 12's, inert cabinet, both extremely musical, fast, but also powerful when called upon. Blends like nothing else. Low distortion, Bipole, sealed bass. Very nice.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:59 pm »

Quote from: Rclark on 20 Nov 2012, 11:46 pm

As a Maggie owner, I highly suggest you look at the Epik Legend, dual opposed 12's, inert cabinet, both extremely musical, fast, but also powerful when called upon. Blends like nothing else. Low distortion, Bipole, sealed bass. Very nice.

I would again recommend that Maggie owners look at the Magellan. It would be easy to integrate, and the distortion figures look to be lower then the vast majority of subs. Check out the curves here:

http://tbisound.com/dsp_products_subwmagviiisu.asp

Rclark · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 12:16 am »

Does look pretty nice. But the Legend blends so perfectly, and is so delicately musical, yet also has the balls for any music situation. The dual opposed configuration is also superior.

Looking forward to more comments about this new sub though.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 12:52 am »

Quote from: Rclark on 21 Nov 2012, 12:16 am

The dual opposed configuration is also superior.

Not necessarily. Bass integration with mains is a difficult process to get right.

Having said that, I'm sure it works very well.

Rclark · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 12:55 am »

It does, it's quite something.

Are you planning on buying multiples of these TBI's?

Freo-1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 12:59 am »

Right now, I don't think I need to get a second sub. Since the speakers are full range, the sub is placed towards the center between the two speakers. My listening room is not all that large, so the one sub integrates just fine.

Rclark · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 01:40 am »

That's exactly how I have mine set up and it's pretty damned good, front and center. I'm thinking another one and both pairs up front, one near each speaker. I want to get the Dspeaker Dual Core and then a large diffuser first before adding more subs.

My Maggies play down pretty low too, so it's as you say, full range makes for a pretty handy blend.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 01:49 am »

You may not need a second sub. You don't want to overwhelm the room with too much bass. If your SPL meter is measuring well, I would leave it for now. A second sub could cause more issues than one.

Austin08 · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 01:51 am »

Quote

full range makes for a pretty handy blend.

+1. I have owned several full range speakers and haven't got a hard time to get the sub dial in.

Rclark · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 01:53 am »

Overwhelm? Do you think the guys with 4 subs are overwhelming their room? Hahah. Surely you understand the gain gets lowered...

Freo-1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 01:57 am »

More subs is not always better. A second sub does not guarantee improved performance. It can in some cases, but can also make matters worse.

I went over my setup at length with Mr. Plummer before I bought one, as I was going to buy two. He explained that it is not always required to have two, and at least in my case, thought that one would work just fine. So far, I would say he was correct.

Rclark · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 02:08 am »

Huh. Alright. I'm going to try multiple, but I'll have the measuring capability in place first. Multiple makes a lot of sense, a lot of people swear by it, and the graphs don't lie. I've never heard anyone say it overwhelmed or made it worse. Maybe redundant at a certain point but never worse.