Depth Series subwoofers are designed to blend uncompromising low-frequency performance with timeless, luxurious design. Each Depth subwoofer begins with a massively overengineered cabinet, expertly sculpted to attain a modern, yet elegant facade, resulting in the perfect fusion of both form and function. The intent of Depth subwoofers is to deliver exceptional bass reproduction with a visually captivating design, proving extraordinary performance and exquisite style don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
To withstand the vigorous forces generated inside them, it’s imperative for speaker cabinets to maintain their strength and rigidity to avoid coloration, ensuring they produce the purest sound possible. Generating bass creates even more volatile forces, making subwoofer cabinets more susceptible to vibrations or resonance, which can blur or smear low frequencies. Depth subwoofers address this problem with our signature distortion-reducing BalancedForce woofer topology. The Depth 215 incorporates dual active 15-inch woofers positioned so they operate in exact opposition from one another. The equal and opposite forces of the woofers effectively cancel out the energy that would typically be transferred into the cabinet. This design cuts out the blur, smearing, and distortion caused by cabinet resonance, leaving only pure, articulate bass energy. This configuration not only enhances the sound and output, but the lower distortion means Depth subwoofers seamlessly blend into the room regardless of the content or volume, making Depth the ideal choice to pair with reference grade loudspeakers for the ultimate full-range audio experience.
To achieve the heightened levels of detail and articulate bass the Depth 215 is capable of, MartinLogan engineers designed a very special cone material; Carbon Aerocore. To prevent unwanted cone resonances and ringing, the tri-layer Carbon Aerocore woofers use layers of dissimilar materials to dampen and strengthen the cone for maximum fidelity. The outer layer is made of integral carbon fiber, known for its extreme strength and light weight. The middle layer is a PMI foam core, a cross-linked rigid structural foam chosen for its incredible strength and extremely low mass. The back layer is composed of fiberglass, further dampening the cone without adding appreciable weight. The result is a cone that is both incredibly strong and stable, yet extremely lightweight and nimble. Able to play the most nuanced passages with precision and authority. Afterall, what good is power without control? To further enhance both performance and reliability, the woofers are triple vented and feature dual copper shorting rings to further suppress distortion to inaudible levels.
Depth 215 features dual 2,200W Dynamic Peak(1,100W RMS) Class-D amplifiers, for a staggering total of 4,400W Dynamic Peak(2,200W RMS). Each amplifier feeds one half of the dual 15-inch BalancedForce woofer system. These massive power reserves not only allow Depth 215 to achieve immense output capability with low distortion, but ensures the precise delivery of bass, exactly when it’s needed most, regardless of the volume level.
With Depth, MartinLogan designers wanted every side to be ‘the good side’ and chased the wild notion of treating the back of the sub as an opportunity to improve both performance and aesthetics. The team came up with an elegant solution; a completely concealed amplifier design utilizing convection cooling to help keep things running at optimal levels. The decorative trim pieces on the back edges of the cabinet are actually extruded aluminum heatsinks. These also intake cool air from the room while exhausting the hot air generated by the amplifier, further reducing operating temperatures during the most demanding content. In another fusion of form and function, the inputs are located on the rear bottom edge of the subwoofer, neatly concealed inside an extruded aluminum trim piece. This allows for more discrete cable management by placing the cables closer to the floor while also providing ample clearance to accommodate a variety of power and signal cable options.
Depth subwoofers utilize the cutting edge, ultra-high resolution Vojtko DSP engine, named after MartinLogan’s Chief Audio Technologist, Joe Vojtko. Featuring a best-in-class 500MHz DSP with 64-bit processing, the Vojtko DSP engine controls all aspects of subwoofer performance in real time. This level of computing power enables advanced features like wireless app control, integrated wireless signal connection, and other advanced DSP functions with complete audible transparency, enabling MartinLogan engineers to calibrate the subwoofer for maximum output and fidelity. This sophisticated DSP engine enables compatibility with the award-winning Anthem Room Correction system.
This highly advanced software measures the in-room performance of the subwoofer and conducts custom equalization, tuning, and calibration to achieve the highest levels of bass impact, smoothness, and accuracy. Included with Depth 212 is a premium ARC calibration microphone, adjustable stand, as well as the necessary cables. Calibration only takes a few minutes using the free ARC Genesis software, which works on both PC and Mac.
As previously mentioned, the cabinet plays a critical role in the fidelity of a subwoofer, and the Depth cabinets are no exception. As MartinLogan’s flagship subwoofer series, no detail was overlooked. Depth cabinets are complex structures, with variable thicknesses ranging from one to three inches. The woofer baffles feature additional reinforcements and a central dividing wall further bolsters the cabinet’s strength, meaning the cabinet isn’t overconstructed, but rather built precisely as it should be. Combining this vault-like construction with the inherent benefits of the BalancedForce Woofer System offers the quintessential blueprint for pure bass delivery.
Solid bass performance is a critical component of any audio system, and helps provide visceral impact to music and film soundtracks. Depth subwoofers embody detailed bass with key technologies to reduce performance-robbing vibrations and resonances. While the incredibly inert cabinet and BalancedForce woofer system already drastically reduce cabinet resonance and vibration, anti-vibration feet are also integrated to help ensure performance isn’t compromised. These features work in unison to essentially eliminate the energy transfer between the subwoofer and the floor, reducing nuisance room noises, and leaving tighter, cleaner bass, while improving system clarity and dynamics. As a less intrusive alternative to acoustic room treatments, the integrated anti-vibration feet can also aid in minimizing noise complaints by reducing vibration transfer into adjoining rooms. These feet are safe for all flooring types and the optional carpet spikes are included to further improve performance on carpeted floors.
Depth subwoofers feature an array of wired installation options in addition to the convenience of the included wireless option. For the best connection, XLR is available for both stereo left/right or for the LFE input. Both Stereo left/right and LFE input are available via RCA, and an RCA Sub Output is available to make it easier to chain multiple subs together, if needed. Depth Subwoofers also feature speaker level inputs via banana plugs, which some enthusiasts prefer so the subwoofer is driven by the exact same signal being fed to the speakers, in essence receiving the sonic signature of the chosen amplifier. This also makes Depth subwoofers compatible with nearly any setup, including balanced amplifiers. Although rare, as with all MartinLogan subwoofers, the available inputs can be used simultaneously if desired. The pristine processing and filtering made possible by the advanced Vojtko DSP engine enables Depth subwoofers to offer the highest levels of input purity, regardless of the connection method. With a variety of input options to choose from, Depth subwoofers can add world-class bass reinforcement to nearly any system.
While a hard-wired connection is still the best method, for flexible placement options, Depth subwoofers come with a built-in Wireless Receiver and Wireless Transmitter. Featuring lossless transmission, forward error correction, and low latency, even the most discerning enthusiast will be thrilled with the results.
MartinLogan’s Subwoofer Control app for iOS and Android devices offers the most personalized and convenient way to adjust a subwoofer. This allows the user to easily adjust settings such as Volume, DSP Mode, Phase, and other features providing the most intuitive control and ease of use. The Control App is also an invaluable tuning aid, enabling the user to hear the effects of setting changes from the listening position in real time.
While the MartinLogan Control app is the most advantageous way to adjust the subwoofer, Depth subwoofers also feature a concealed Touch Control Interface (TCI). When not in use, the TCI acts as the backlight for the signature MartinLogan ‘zig’ laser cut into the front control cover. The backlit logo can be set to a variety of user-selectable colors or disabled entirely for a more stealthy look. Accessing the TCI is simple; press underneath the ‘zig’ and the front cover is easily removed, exposing the screen and controls. The TCI displays all the available settings and options on its LED screen, while six contextually backlit touch points facilitate interaction with the available on-screen options.
Depth 215 is a sleek, sculpted cube, packed with elegant design touches, far removed from the stereotypical ‘big black box’ subwoofer look. Despite its refined appearance, and pinpoint accuracy, Depth 215 is also capable of devastating output, when needed. For those who value luxurious design, Depth offers effortless unparalleled performance, making it perfect for high-end two-channel or home theater applications.
To run Anthem Room Correction (ARC) with your speakers you will need to purchase a PBK or ARC Kit:
ARC Calibration Microphone Kit
(Please note that MartinLogan Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) microphones are fully compatible with Anthem Room Correction for MartinLogan speakers).
To download the most up-to-date version of ARC, please click the link below to go directly to Anthem's website.
ARC Genesis requires an ARC or PBK Microphone, a Mac OS X (10.12+) or Windows (7/8/8.1/10/11) computer, and an ARC or PBK compatible audio product. One USB port is required. If you are using a laptop computer, check power settings and battery meter before starting to ensure the procedure is not interrupted.
