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Max Input Wattage Through Speaker-level In-put on Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X?


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Hello

 

I have two Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X subwoofers connected through Speaker-level input (from the Yamaha A-S2200 Integrated Amplifier).

 

Does anyone know the max input wattage the Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X can handle through the Speaker-level (left and right) inputs?

 

Thank you

Edited by GuyIsDamGood
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  • GuyIsDamGood changed the title to Max Input Voltage Through Speaker-level In-put on Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X?

Do you know what wattage the subs are rated for, and how many ohms they’re spec’d for? From that it would be possible the calculate a maximum voltage level.

If you have a graph showing impedance versus frequency that would allow an even more precise calculation.

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The Martin Logan's speaker level inputs have 2k input IMPEDANCE. Ohm's Law says 1340V

will get you 900W output!

 

Okay; what's wrong with my equation? Maybe you can't use input impedance to calculate

output power?

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Posted (edited)

Thanks to everyone for your info/ input / insite.

 

I have the Yamaha A-S2200 Integrated Amplifier.   The manual (page 18) doesn't recommend any Output through Speaker-level into Active-Subwoofers.   (I use the Speaker-level output from the A-S2200 to two Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X Subwoofers) it sounds normal - nothing overheating.     Will my current connections damage anything?

 

(I also have the Yamaha R-N 803 Amplifier/Reciever; with the Russound ADP 1.2 Speaker-level to Line-level Adapter - connected to the Rotel RB-1582 External Amplifier.     It works Well.     I don't hear distortion and it plays clear and loud without anything heating-up)     If the Russound ADP 1.2 ($50.00) device can handle the Speaker-level wattage; I believe the Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X ($2,000.00) should be able to do the same or better)

 

Unless; I'm missunderstanding the concept. . . . .(?)

 

 

Does anyone have more info on this?

 

Thank you

Edited by GuyIsDamGood
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I just reviewed the manual for a few minutes...how strange they do the spec any max level for the speaker inputs. If I owned one I would be on the phone with them asking the question. RCA input 8300 ohm but speaker 2000? Some kind of hocus-pocus going on inside.

But remember what the Duke said "if it sounds good, it is good"

or if it ain't broke don't fix it.

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Thinking about this while at work today, I figured out the 2k speaker level input impedance is so as to not

load down the speaker outputs of an amp.

 

And I'm probably using the wrong figure for the output wattage. I shouldn't be using that, but the output wattage of the amp.

 

Assuming the 90W output of the Yamaha amp and an 8 ohm speaker, there will be 26V on the speaker inputs of the subwoofer.

I'm sure the subwoofer amp is designed to handle speaker level voltages.

 

The 900W output of the subwoofer is the result of the amp's gain, which is controlled by the sub's volume knob.

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Martin Logan has been at this for a while, why would you think they don't know what they are doing?

Powered subwoofers with speaker level inputs is a mature tech and well understood, there is nothing to worry about.

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7 hours ago, Peter P. said:

Thinking about this while at work today, I figured out the 2k speaker level input impedance is so as to not

load down the speaker outputs of an amp.

 

And I'm probably using the wrong figure for the output wattage. I shouldn't be using that, but the output wattage of the amp.

 

Assuming the 90W output of the Yamaha amp and an 8 ohm speaker, there will be 26V on the speaker inputs of the subwoofer.

I'm sure the subwoofer amp is designed to handle speaker level voltages.

 

The 900W output of the subwoofer is the result of the amp's gain, which is controlled by the sub's volume knob.

 

6 hours ago, opnly bafld said:

Martin Logan has been at this for a while, why would you think they don't know what they are doing?

Powered subwoofers with speaker level inputs is a mature tech and well understood, there is nothing to worry about.

Yes all understood I think...but there is some voltage level that will overload the input circuitry, no? Not damaging it but distorting the output.

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Well now, I didn't want to seem snotty and say, "Why not ask Martin Logan?", so I did it myself!

 

Here's the e-mail reply I received today.

 

"Thank you for your inquiry & support of MartinLogan.

 
The maximum speaker-level input voltage that the Dynamo 1600 subwoofer can handle before damage or distortion depends on several factors, including its input impedance and the design of the subwoofer's amplifier.
 
For the Dynamo 1600, the speaker-level input impedance is 2,000 ohms (red to black). This impedance is relatively high, which means the subwoofer is designed to work with typical amplifier outputs without significant risk of overloading.
 
To estimate the maximum voltage, you can use the following relationship between power, voltage, and impedance:
Vmax=Pmax×RV_{\text{max}} = \sqrt{P_{\text{max}} \times R}Vmax=Pmax×R
However, since the subwoofer's amplifier power is internal and doesn't directly relate to input power handling, it’s more about ensuring the input signal doesn't exceed the subwoofer’s amplifier capabilities.
 
Given the high power rating of 900 watts RMS (1,800 watts peak), the internal amplifier is likely to be the limiting factor rather than the input voltage itself. Most subwoofers with similar designs can handle the typical maximum output voltages from consumer amplifiers without issue.

Generally, as long as you are using a typical consumer amplifier, you should not exceed the safe input levels for the Dynamo 1600. "
 
I sort of expected a real number like "X" volts as certainly there must be an engineering limit. I already knew and used Ohm's Law so it seems like I got a non-answer answer. Maybe the person was not as technically oriented as I would presume. Anyway, that's what I got from the horse's mouth.
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I hope as an owner they come up with a number for you @GuyIsDamGood the answer they gave @Peter P. is as he stated a non answer answer. I would imagine there is more than one way this can be done but I think there is a line level amp that takes the voltage divided speaker level input and feeds it to the volume control that then feeds the internal power amp. That line level input amp can be overdriven, not damaging it but distorting its output.

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And as I explained in the other thread the Yamaha will not like a MONO amplifier feed by both L and R speaker inputs, since you are using a subwoofer for each channel it is not a problem to use the speaker level input on your subwoofers.

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Posted (edited)

Martin Logan replied to my question.

 

Martin Login reply: "it is okay up to 50Vrms (~300watts into 8ohms)".

 

I believe the Dynamo 1600X can handle 300-watts through Speaker-level input.     -     (I believe I'm good to go - with turning-up the Volume)

 

 

Thanks to everyone; for your help / info / insite.

Edited by GuyIsDamGood
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  • GuyIsDamGood changed the title to Max Input Wattage Through Speaker-level In-put on Martin Logan Dynamo 1600X?

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