Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the better pick: it ranks #3 of 212 subwoofers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5), against #11 (rated 4.1/5) for the Paradigm Defiance X12.
Why pick the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X: A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued. The catch: Output falls to 86.2dB at 15Hz, so the very lowest effects are weaker than the strong midbass numbers suggest.
The case for the Paradigm Defiance X12: A moderately sized 12 inch subwoofer with powerful, low distortion bass and room correction, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: At 61.9 lbs (28.1 kg) and 494 x 457 x 494mm it is heavy and takes real floor space for a 12 inch sub.
Buy the MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued.
A moderately sized 12 inch subwoofer with powerful, low distortion bass and room correction, now discontinued but worth buying used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X | Paradigm Defiance X12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,606.77 Discontinued | $1,314.63 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #11 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | ported, bottom |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB | 95.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB | 108.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB | 112.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB | 116.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB | 119.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB | 120.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB | 120.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB | 120.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB | 119.3 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB | 119.2 dB |
| Dimensions | 20.1”H x 17.9”W x 19.1”D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) | 19.4”H x 18”W x 19.4”D (493.5 x 457.2 x 493.5 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 61.9 lbs (28.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | 3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB | 20-230Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak | 650W RMS / 1300W peak |
| Inputs | RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana) | - |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 12” (305mm) driver |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 30-120Hz adjustable |
| Features | - | ARC microphone for room correction, ART surround |
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