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 #31 (rated 3.9/5) for the Starke Sound SW15.
The MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the better-sounding pick. A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued. The tradeoff: Output falls to 86.2dB at 15Hz, so the very lowest effects are weaker than the strong midbass numbers suggest.
Why pick the Starke Sound SW15: A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with tight, controlled bass that digs very deep, now discontinued but a solid used find. The catch: It is discontinued, so you must find one used.
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.
Want more options? Browse the full Subwoofers rankings.
A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with forceful, tight bass, front or down firing setup, and app based room correction, now discontinued.
A sealed 15 inch subwoofer with tight, controlled bass that digs very deep, now discontinued but a solid used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X | Starke Sound SW15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,606.77 Discontinued | $1,075 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) | #31 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) |
| Enclosure | sealed | sealed |
| Output SPL at 15 Hz | 86.2 dB | 90.8 dB |
| Output SPL at 20 Hz | 99.4 dB | 98.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 25 Hz | 103.9 dB | 104.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 31.5 Hz | 111.7 dB | 110.0 dB |
| Output SPL at 40 Hz | 118.4 dB | 114.6 dB |
| Output SPL at 50 Hz | 121.0 dB | 118.4 dB |
| Output SPL at 63 Hz | 121.8 dB | 119.1 dB |
| Output SPL at 80 Hz | 121.0 dB | 117.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 100 Hz | 120.2 dB | 115.2 dB |
| Output SPL at 125 Hz | 119.0 dB | 113.8 dB |
| CEA-2010-A Average (40-80Hz) | 120.5 dB | 117.3 dB |
| Dimensions | 20.1”H x 17.9”W x 19.1”D (510.5 x 454.7 x 485.1 mm) | 17.3”H x 16.5”W x 18.9”D (439.4 x 419.1 x 480.1 mm) |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 54.9 lbs (24.9 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 | - |
| Cabinet Color | black | black |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Measurement Source | Audioholics | Audioholics |
| Frequency Response | 20-200Hz, ±3dB | 14-240Hz, ±3dB |
| Amplifier Power | 900W RMS / 1800W peak | 450W RMS / 900W peak |
| Inputs | RCA (stereo and LFE), XLR (LFE), speaker-level (banana) | 1 XLR (balanced), 3 RCA (unbalanced) |
| Drivers | 15” (381mm) driver | 15” (381mm) driver |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output SPL at 12.5 Hz | - | 86.0 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 50-200Hz adjustable |
| Phase Control | - | 0°-180° adjustable |
| Features | - | Sealed subwoofer, outputs: XLR |
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