MK vs BK

fyonn · 09-11-2009, 7:31 PM

heya folks,

I'm enquiring on the speakers forum about heading in the direction of an MK sub/sat setup and it occurred to me that one of my questions ought to be here.

As I said, I'm thinking of getting one of the MK satellites systems and I'm wondering whether I ought to stick with one of the MK subs, the SB8 or the SB12, or would I be better off with one of the BK subs, possibly the xxls400?

the BK option would be cheaper and clearly seems to be well thought of here. the figures seem to say it'll go down to 20hz or mast it.

the SB8 seems to be m&k's cheaper sub and comes with a few of their packages, but only claims to go down to 35hz.

the SB12 seems to be the bigger brother and goes to 20hz, but is a fair bit more expensive.

would the BK give me all the performance I want/need or are the MK's worth the extra?

many thanks for any help

dave

jordandy512 · 09-11-2009, 7:58 PM

Forget about frequency they go down to, what they go up to is just as important if not more so IMHO.

Andy

fyonn · 09-11-2009, 8:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordandy512

Forget about frequency they go down to, what they go up to is just as important if not more so IMHO.

Andy

a very good point and yes, I guess I can agree with it.

so, with that in mind, does it change anything? do either of the MK's or the BK do well or particularly badly here?

dave

PS. now to go and respond to your other comment on my threads..

jordandy512 · 09-11-2009, 9:43 PM

My MK is at least on a par with the SVS it replaced at the lower frequencies and I believe it is considerable more capable higher up the frequency range, this is in my room though and we all know that the room plays a part in the sound you achieve.
I must admit though that the MK is at least twice the size and has an rrp of about 4 times that of the SVS, so comparing the two may be a little unfair.

Andy

**inzaman** · 09-11-2009, 10:00 PM

See my thread here where i am in a similar position to you. I have tried to source an M&K MX series sub to no avail so am going down the XXLS400 route as it sounds like a very good sub and will hopefully give the clean bass from 100hz downwards.

Due to the exceptional price of this sub you could also go for two of them which is what i might do. I have ordered one and will see how i get on, i have also ordered an antimode as well

jordandy512 · 09-11-2009, 10:20 PM

I did manage to pick up my MX for a very good price, wouldn't dream of paying over two grand for a sub. I think GAZ916 is selling a couple in the classifieds, may be worth a look.

Andy

Russell.Williams · 10-11-2009, 12:05 AM

The SB12 is comfortably the best of the MK Subs mentioned. It and the XXLS-400 are very comparable at lower/moderate levels, but the XXLS-400 continues to deliver the deep bass at higher levels where the MK runs out of puff. Whereas the MK will deliver a measurable 20Hz in room response, the BK delivers those same frequencies audibly, which is, after all, the point.

Given the price discrepancy, it's a no brainer in my book.

Russell

fyonn · 10-11-2009, 5:38 PM

well, I guess that's what I was hoping to hear. the BK 400 sub seems to be a good choice whatever satellites I choose.

dave

recruit · 11-11-2009, 4:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

See my thread here where i am in a similar position to you. I have tried to source an M&K MX series sub to no avail so am going down the XXLS400 route as it sounds like a very good sub and will hopefully give the clean bass from 100hz downwards.

Due to the exceptional price of this sub you could also go for two of them which is what i might do. I have ordered one and will see how i get on, i have also ordered an antimode as well

the M&K 150's deserve a better sub than the BK XXLS400

Moonfly · 11-11-2009, 5:10 PM

Deserve, or need

I would suggest the latter, especially given the MX subs M&K built for them, although in truth its a bit of deserve and need.

IMO, you need a sub with a sound like those MX's to make up for the fact the rest of the system is sats. Every sats system IMHO sounds thin and really needs a top SQ sub, including the MK systems. The MK system is probably the only sub/sat system ive heard I didnt think sounded thin when accompanied by the MX's, although I think the B&W MT30 with a PV-1 didnt do a bad job, but it aint cheap.

I think you make a good point though recruit, why spend all that on speakers and then skrimp on the sub

fyonn · 11-11-2009, 5:40 PM

Okay, well, I can't afford the M&K MX subwoofers, so would I be okay with the BK if I was looking at the M7's or xenons? I do think that sats need a good sub to back them up, and I was hoping that for the level I'm at, the BK would be the one.

dave

Russell.Williams · 12-11-2009, 12:12 AM

If you look in the reviews section, you will see that I have tested the M7/SB12 package and the XXLS-400 over extended periods. I'm not guessing when I say the XXLS-400 will rock with the M7 package.

Russell

fyonn · 12-11-2009, 8:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell.Williams

If you look in the reviews section, you will see that I have tested the M7/SB12 package and the XXLS-400 over extended periods. I'm not guessing when I say the XXLS-400 will rock with the M7 package.

Russell

heh, I've read both those reviews at least twice

I should probably go and just order the sub tbh..

cheers
dave

**inzaman** · 12-11-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruit

the M&K 150's deserve a better sub than the BK XXLS400

If you read what Russell posted in my thread you will understand his rationale behind that post which to me made a lot of sense. I am in desparate need of a sub to go with my MP150s as the 675 is just not cutting it with these monitors. I have tried to source an MX series sub but at £1k with a step down have taken the decision, from reading here and what people have posted, that this was a tad too much.

My budget is £1k and i believed that £1k would be enough to get a 'good' sub as i also want to buy a new processor.

At £400 for the XXLS i have nothing to loose really and going by the judgement of certain members who have far more experience in subs than me, my only experience is the 675, it sounds like it 'could' be fine. Therefore i am going to give it a go and listen to how it sounds to me in my set up in my room. Going by what i have read I am sure it will integrate better than the 675 and if in the mean time i can get a deal on a second hand MX series sub then at least i can then do a back to back to determine which one i prefer.

If i can do that and then sell the one i least prefer i would not have lost much money - i think that all makes sense but anyway that is my rationale, and i need to change my sub asap. This is a similar postion to the Op has i had been advised against the SB12 in favour of the XXLS400 or even two of them

Moonfly · 12-11-2009, 7:43 PM

Just FYI, I sold the 2 MX 125's for £700 for the pair. With a budget of 1k, shuld one arise, you should get yourself an MK sub if you really want one. Patience is key though.

recruit · 13-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

If you read what Russell posted in my thread you will understand his rationale behind that post which to me made a lot of sense. I am in desparate need of a sub to go with my MP150s as the 675 is just not cutting it with these monitors. I have tried to source an MX series sub but at £1k with a step down have taken the decision, from reading here and what people have posted, that this was a tad too much.

My budget is £1k and i believed that £1k would be enough to get a 'good' sub as i also want to buy a new processor.

At £400 for the XXLS i have nothing to loose really and going by the judgement of certain members who have far more experience in subs than me, my only experience is the 675, it sounds like it 'could' be fine. Therefore i am going to give it a go and listen to how it sounds to me in my set up in my room. Going by what i have read I am sure it will integrate better than the 675 and if in the mean time i can get a deal on a second hand MX series sub then at least i can then do a back to back to determine which one i prefer.

If i can do that and then sell the one i least prefer i would not have lost much money - i think that all makes sense but anyway that is my rationale, and i need to change my sub asap. This is a similar postion to the Op has i had been advised against the SB12 in favour of the XXLS400 or even two of them

Sorry Inzaman, I did not mean any disrespect to your choice and am sure the BK will be better than the B&W that you currently have, I was just warning you that they really do need something better and would say the BK is more suited to the lower end M&K series of speakers that Russell has mentioned to the OP but I also think Dan is right in that patience is called for and hopefully an MX series M&K sub will become available for you...or save a bit more for something like the MX250 new, and am sure with a good dealership there can be movement on the price with discount, so might not be as expensive as you may think...