Short answer: the MartinLogan Abyss 8. It ranks #204 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $1,119.99. The Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D ranks #209, rated 2.9/5, at $899, $220.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the MartinLogan Abyss 8 does well: A compact MartinLogan subwoofer with an 8” aluminum woofer and two 8” passive radiators in a sealed 34cm cube, driven by a 1000W peak amplifier and rated 23 to 120Hz (±3dB). The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured MartinLogan Abyss 10, which reached only 106.4dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands, and the smaller Abyss 8 is not expected to match it.
The case for the Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D: Compact 15 inch tall cabinet pairs a down-firing 10 inch aluminum cone woofer with two side-firing 10 inch passive radiators. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured original Aperion Audio Bravus 10D, which averaged only 102.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands and 79dB at 20Hz.
Buy the MartinLogan Abyss 8. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $220.99 with the Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: MartinLogan Abyss 8 2.6 to 3.2; Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D 2.6 to 3.2). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Abyss 8 | Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,119.99 | $899.00 |
| Ranked | #204 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #209 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Warranty | 3 | 5/2 |
| Enclosure | passive radiator | passive radiator |
| Drivers | 8” aluminum woofer, 2 x 8” passive radiators | 10” (254mm) aluminum cone driver, two 10” passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W peak | 500W RMS (1,000W peak) |
| Frequency Response | 23-120Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 28-350Hz (+/-3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 13.2”W x 13.2”D (343 x 335 x 335 mm) | 15”H x 13.5”W x 13.5”D (381 x 343 x 343 mm) |
| Weight | 46.7 lbs (21.2 kg) | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Cabinet Color | - | black, white, gloss black |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to MartinLogan Abyss 8:
- MartinLogan Abyss 10 vs MartinLogan Abyss 8
- JL Audio Dominion d110 vs MartinLogan Abyss 8
- MartinLogan Dynamo 10 vs Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D
- Kali Audio WS-6.2 vs Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D
- Emotiva X-Ref 10 vs Emotiva X-Ref 12
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
MartinLogan Abyss 8: $1,119.99 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the MartinLogan Abyss 10 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: A compact MartinLogan subwoofer with an 8” aluminum woofer and two 8” passive radiators in a sealed 34cm cube, driven by a 1000W peak amplifier and rated 23 to 120Hz (±3dB). App control and Anthem Room Correction are included.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured MartinLogan Abyss 10, which reached only 106.4dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands, and the smaller Abyss 8 is not expected to match it.
Full MartinLogan Abyss 8 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W peak |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 13.2”W x 13.2”D (343 x 335 x 335 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” aluminum woofer, 2 x 8” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 23-120Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 46.7 lbs (21.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D: $899.00 Estimated Amazon Aperion Audio eBay
Older model: the Aperion Audio Bravus 10D (ranked higher, rated 2.9/5). See every Aperion Audio Bravus generation.
Same family: the Aperion Audio Bravus II 8D (smaller subwoofer, estimated 2.6/5) and the Aperion Audio Bravus II 12D (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: Compact 15 inch tall cabinet pairs a down-firing 10 inch aluminum cone woofer with two side-firing 10 inch passive radiators. A 500W RMS Class D amplifier (1,000W peak) drives it, and Aperion rates it at 28Hz at the -3dB point. Aperion sells it direct with a 30 day in-home trial and free shipping in the continental US.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured original Aperion Audio Bravus 10D, which averaged only 102.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands and 79dB at 20Hz. Its 2 year amplifier warranty is short next to the 5 years on cabinet and drivers.
Full Aperion Audio Bravus II 10D review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W RMS (1,000W peak) |
| Cabinet Color | black, white, gloss black |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 15”H x 13.5”W x 13.5”D (381 x 343 x 343 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” (254mm) aluminum cone driver, two 10” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 28-350Hz (+/-3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 5/2 |
| Weight | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons