Recently, Pulheim’s loudspeaker company, Magnat, launched an active subwoofer, the Magnat Omega CS-12. Currently, the Magnat Omega CS-12 is the most powerful active woofer in their range. The Magnat Omega CS-12 has an astounding lower cut-off frequency of 18 Hertz. As always, Magnat’s engineers, well-known for mastering the development of high-performance audio products, have tested the subwoofer with various speaker combinations and at numerous levels to guarantee performance.
For almost five decades, Magnat’s in-house development has provided groundbreaking solutions, from bringing ion tweeters to market in the 1980s, designing tube amplifiers in the new millennium, or what was at the time the world’s most powerful hi-fi subwoofer. The Magnat Omega 530. Magnat, as a company, heavily focuses on unconventional product development strategies that maximize performance and strive to be the best at everything.
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Aside from the pursuit of highly accurate music reproduction, Magnat’s engineers utilize High-end measurement devices such as Klippel, Audio Precision, Brüel & Kjaer, and Rohde & Schwarz. These devices enable inexplicable optimization of the reproduced signals, allowing the team to guarantee the best possible small and large signal behavior in their enclosures.
Magnat Omega CS-12 Subwoofer Review
The new level of advancement for the company is embodied in the Magnat Omega CS-12 Subwoofer. It is one of the most powerful active subwoofers offered in its particular class. The subwoofer is Magnat’s Flexoslav 30 cm, which marks the size as just 70 liters and 30 cm. It intends to utilize most of the room effectively and deliver greater performance at lower frequencies without actually taking too much space. The price has been set at €999, which targets consumers looking for a compact, powerful subwoofer that delivers well-balanced bass.
Design and Features
Astonishing to some, the excitable sleek diamond cut Magnat Omega CS-12 bears an almost cubelike structrure at the front. Even considering the mass it bears, the looks shine most with its shape getting smoother at the edges. The power it stores wampithin might surprise most and so will the small scale of the subwoofer.
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The design is outstanding. What goes beyond that is its functions; as an example, the Magnat Omega CS 12 is outfitted with a class D power supply and amplifier which delivers over 500 watts continuously. If on burst the voice coil can also peak up to 1,100 watts. This high power output is essential because the CS-12 is designed as a closed-box. To make up for this, their design boost the responsive range of the frequency.
Particularly rigid and durable materials make up the 30 cm bass driver sandwiched within the subwoofer. This driver has a large centering spider as well as a wide cone bead which enable deep and highly controlled bass down to almost 20 Hz. To enhance the frequency response of the subwoofer, a DSP processor can manage power limits, overall level and phase, crossover frequency, and even bass extension.
Performance and Setup
In practice, the performance of the Magnat Omega CS 12 is unmatched. When used in conjunction with premium speakers, the subwoofer displays exceptional bass control. The extend option on the subwoofer bass gives the user endless control in adapting to the acoustics of the environment, and is thus useful both in music and home theater applications. In smaller-sized living rooms, for instance, you may want to scale down the bass range so as not to overpower the room.
As with all subwoofers, their placement in a room is critical for achieving optimal performance. The Magnat Omega CS 12 shines into this regard as their specific bass response is less affected by room modes when compared to other subwoofers. Low-frequency sounds interact with room dimensions and can create standing waves, leading to uneven bass responses and the placement of the subwoofer becomes imperative. However, when positioned correctly, the CS-12 offers accurate and reliable bass throughout the room while still maintaining the advantage of being placed in a suboptimal position.
Adjustment of phase and crossover frequency (the former is adjusted with a knob on the back) is straightforward. In most cases, the crossover frequency will be set at 80 Hz for seamless integration with satellite speakers, while the phase control will ensure the bass is in sync with the rest of the audio system.
Listening Experience
Music lovers will be particularly impressed with how the Magnat Omega CS-12 performs in concert with movies. In stereo music setups, it adds the missing depth and fullness to the sound, provides an accurate low-end rumble, and guarantees that the audio signal, no matter how weak, comes through loud and clear.
In home theaters, the Magnat Omega CS 12 does particularly well with adding enhancement to the dynamic sounds of action scenes and sound effects. Whether it is a cataclysmic explosion or very low, subtle notes, the subwoofer enhances the experience of watching movies through the powerful, strong vibrating bass that is usually associated with the cinematic experience. The bass is well controlled, so the subwoofer does not overwhelm the soundstage, which is an area where some other models perform and are deemed as bloated or distorted at higher levels.
Conclusion
To me, the best option and value for the money spent is the Magnat Omega CS-12. The subwoofer is excellent nad in spite of its small size, has large power output and performs incredibly on all ranges thus making it ideal for home audio systems. The CS-12 excels at both music and home theater striking the subs at both and pulling deep and precise bass ensuring the listening experience is heightened.
For less than €1,000, the Magnat Omega CS 12 offers unrivalled performance. Best suited to rooms of up to 30 square meters but also able to manage larger spaces. For those looking for a subwoofer that is powerful and precise while being unbelievably cheap, they should look no further than the Magnat Omega CS-12.
Magnat Omega CS-12 Specifications
- Magnat Omega CS 12
- Concept: Active closed subwoofer, ‘Frontfire’
- Assembly: 30.0 cm woofer, output stage with 550 watts sinus
- crossover frequency: 50 – 150 Hz adjustable
- Weight: 24.0 kilos
- Color (varnish): High gloss black
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 38.5 x 40.0 x 45.0 cm
