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 #95 (rated 3.7/5) for the REL Acoustics R-528. If you want one new, the REL Acoustics S/850 replaces the REL Acoustics R-528 and is rated 3.7/5 at $3,999.
The MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the better-sounding option. A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued. Watch for: Output falls to 86.2dB at 15Hz, so the very lowest effects are weaker than the strong midbass numbers suggest.
What the REL Acoustics R-528 does well: A compact 12 inch subwoofer with a passive radiator, a strong amp and premium finish, now discontinued. The catch: It is expensive for its measured output, which is 112.8dB from 40 to 80Hz and only 92.7dB at 25Hz.
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. For a new speaker, buy the REL Acoustics S/850, which replaces the REL Acoustics R-528.
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 compact 12 inch subwoofer with a passive radiator, a strong amp and premium finish, now discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X | REL Acoustics R-528 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,606.77 Discontinued | $1,999 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #95 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | passive radiator |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB | 92.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB | 106.5 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB | 111.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB | 112.7 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB | - |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB | - |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB | 112.8 dB (avg of 3/4 bands) |
| Dimensions | 20.1”H x 17.9”W x 19.1”D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) | 17.5”H x 15.5”W x 17.2”D (444.5 x 393.7 x 436.9 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 58 lbs (26.3 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | 3 |
| Cabinet Color | black | - |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Brent Butterworth |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB | 21Hz-6dB |
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak | 500W RMS |
| 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 | - |
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