The subwoofer plays a significant role in the home theater sound system. Along with the surround sound and the large screen diagonal, it is its contribution that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the action of the film. One of the trendsetters in the design and production of subwoofers is the American company M & K Sound, which manages to combine the classic approach in the acoustic part with the latest technologies for setting up and managing bass modules. A good illustration of this thesis was the active subwoofer M & K Sound V12 +.
First, a little history. The idea of isolating the part of the acoustic system responsible for the bass part of the working range into a separate case was born in the 50s of the last century. This solution allows for the minimization of the mutual influence of dynamic heads – both acoustic and electrical. At the same time, the problem of organic coordination of the work of acoustic systems and a subwoofer (or subwoofers) appears, which prevents the widespread use of triphones in classic stereo M & K Sound V12 +. A variation of the triphones became models of speakers with active bass sections, but in this case, the problem of coordination falls entirely on the manufacturer of such acoustic systems and, often, this problem is successfully solved by them.
In a home theater sound system, the situation is different. Here, a subwoofer most often serves a separate low-frequency effects channel of a multi-channel LFE soundtrack, which is initially formed by a sound engineer. That is why a subwoofer in a home theater has become a de facto standard (unlike stereo systems). However, there is one subtle point here – we are talking about the ability of a subwoofer to form a truly serious low-frequency foundation M & K Sound V12 +.
Also read: Immerse Yourself in Audio Excellence with Pylon Audio Jade 20
In other words, about the level of this component. Sometimes it is better to do without a subwoofer at all, entrusting the reproduction of the LFE channel to a floor-standing front pair using a receiver or processor, than to add a cheap bass module to a home theater system simply because a subwoofer is a must.
The American company M&K Sound has been specializing in the design and production of various acoustic systems for home theaters for almost half a century, especially subwoofers, which is confirmed by the certification of the company’s products to strict THX requirements. By choosing a subwoofer from M&K Sound, you can be sure of the quality of the result. With each new model, the company again and again proves its right to leadership, and the active subwoofer M&K Sound V12+ is no exception.
We are studying
The M&K Sound V12+ subwoofer belongs to the V+ series, an updated version of the popular V series of single-driver subwoofers that have earned recognition from both experts and moviegoers. A distinctive feature of the “plus” series is the use of drivers with updated diffusers made of reinforced cellulose and more powerful (100 watts more powerful) amplifiers operating in class D M & K Sound V12 +. As a result, it was possible to expand the operating range of the subwoofers from 25 to 20 Hz. The numerical index in the model name indicates the diameter of the installed driver in inches. In addition to the V12+ model, the series includes subwoofers with 10-inch and 15-inch speakers. By the way, the model with a 15-inch driver first appeared in the V+ series. The M&K Sound V15+ subwoofer is certified according to THX® Ultra requirements, and the V12+ model received THX® Select status.
The compact M&K Sound V12+ subwoofer case has a regular cubic shape and is made of thick MDF panels, providing acoustic inertia for the cabinet. You immediately notice the build quality – attention to the smallest details reveals the high class of the product. The driver is mounted on the front panel and covered with a protective grill on magnetic fasteners. Above the speaker is a large company logo, and a special recess is made on the grill, thanks to which the logo remains visible even with the grill on.
All corners of the case are rounded, which not only gives the component a special charm but is also the result of careful engineering calculations to achieve the required acoustic characteristics of the cabinet. The subwoofer is installed on supports made of dense rubber, providing good vibration isolation from the floor. There is no phase inverter port here, so the model does not impose any special requirements for the location of the subwoofer relative to the walls of the cinema hall. The V15+ subwoofer is offered only in a Black Satin finish, and for the V10+ and V12+ models, a White Satin finish is available. It was in the latter finish that the device provided for testing was provided – the snow-white matte finish is very pleasant to the touch.
The choice of a closed acoustic design in such compact subwoofers forces the developers to solve several difficult problems. From a good bass module, you expect a combination of bass depth, typical of models with a phase inverter, and the elasticity and rapidity of the bass register, typical of devices in a closed acoustic design. Such characteristics can be achieved using a large-diameter driver in a large case. And if the size of the speaker in the M&K Sound V12+ fully satisfies such requirements, then such a compact size (the side of the cubic case is less than 40 cm) raises certain concerns. Looking ahead, I will say – that the concerns were in vain, the engineers of M&K Sound successfully coped with such a difficult task. M&K Sound V12 +
The switching panel of the M&K Sound V12+ subwoofer can be called ascetic. For connection to an AV processor or receiver, there is a stereo low-level input on RCA connectors, one of which is an LFE input. This once again emphasizes the cinema orientation of the model – there is no high-level switching, more useful when building a triphone in stereo.
Using a mobile app to set up and control a subwoofer not only makes interaction with the device more comfortable (who would like to constantly jump up from their favorite sofa during the setup process and try to see something on the back wall of an often large and heavy device), but also, more importantly, opens up much wider opportunities for fine-tuning.
The connection between the mobile gadget with the installed application and M&K Sound V12+ is carried out via Bluetooth, and the initial pairing does not cause any problems. Moreover, one application is capable of controlling several M&K Sound subwoofers if necessary. In the V+ series, the remote control functionality via the application is provided to two senior models – V12+ and V15+. M&K Sound V12 +
The M&K Sound V12+ subwoofer was tested in an acoustically prepared demonstration theater of the exclusive distributor of M&K Sound products. The home theater surround sound system was completely built on built-in models of M&K Sound theater acoustics. The source in the system was the AV processor was responsible for decoding soundtracks, and amplification was entrusted to the seven-channel amplifier. Test fragments of soundtracks in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats were played from UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs.
Let’s listen
Before listening, we couldn’t help but try the proprietary application in action. Pairing with the subwoofer via Bluetooth was instantaneous, after which we pressed the M&K Sound logo located at the top of the screen for 10 seconds and entered the Professional Advanced Settings mode. After that, we launch the automatic calibration system and patiently wait for it to finish working (however, not for long). After that, the subwoofer is ready for work.
You immediately notice the ability of such a compact subwoofer, even working in a closed acoustic design, to plunge into the very depths of the sound spectrum. Low-frequency effects of modern blockbusters performed by M&K Sound V12+ are served deliciously and tasty – if the brightness and spectacularity of the presentation of movie soundtracks are important to you, then this is the place for it. The sharp, fast processing of bass impulses is perceived not only by hearing but also tactilely – a sign of a cool subwoofer. At the same time, there is not even a hint of hum and mush – this scourge of phase-inverted designs. M&K Sound V12 +
It is pleasant to note the meticulousness of the bass instrument parts when playing music video programs, especially against the impressive pressure of the dynamic episodes of films. The bass produced by M&K Sound V12+ is always taut, balanced, and devoid of amorphousness and distortion. In lively rock compositions, the subwoofer demonstrates an enviable sense of rhythm, and the large drummer’s bass materializes right in front of you.
FAQs for M&K Sound V12 +
Q1: What is the power output of the M&K Sound V12+?
A1: The M&K Sound V12+ features an amplifier that delivers 400 watts RMS, providing ample power to produce deep and impactful bass suitable for various audio environments
Q2: What is the frequency response range of the V12+?
A2: The V12+ offers an impressive frequency response from 20 Hz to 200 Hz, allowing it to handle deep bass frequencies while maintaining clarity across the audio spectrum.
Q3: What type of enclosure does the M&K Sound V12+ use?
A3: The V12+ uses a sealed enclosure design, which contributes to its ability to deliver tight and accurate bass performance, minimizing distortion
Q4: Is the V12+ THX certified?
A4: Yes, the M&K Sound V12+ is THX Certified Select, ensuring it meets high standards for professional audio performance in environments up to 2,000 cubic feet
Q5: Can I control the V12+ via an app?
A5: Yes, the V12+ can be controlled via the M&K App available for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to adjust settings such as volume, crossover frequency, and phase
Q6: What are the dimensions and weight of the M&K Sound V12+?
A6: The V12+ measures 395 mm in width, height, and depth, and weighs approximately 16.3 kg (around 36 lbs), making it compact and suitable for various setups
Q7: What finishes are available for the M&K Sound V12+?
A7: The M&K Sound V12+ is available in two finishes: Satin Black and Satin White, allowing it to blend well with different interior designs.
Specification
- Driver Size: 12-inch long-throw driver
- Amplifier Power: 400 Watts RMS (0.5% THD at 400W into 4 Ohms)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 200 Hz (±2 dB)
- Low Pass Filter: Variable from 43 Hz to 300 Hz
- Phase Control: 0 to 360 degrees
- Input/Output: Dual RCA phono line-level inputs/outputs
- Enclosure Type: Sealed
- Dimensions: 395 mm W x 395 mm H x 395 mm D
- Weight: 16.3 kg (approximately 36 lbs)
- Finishes Available: Satin Black, Satin White
Additional Features
- THX Certification: The V12+ is THX Certified Select, ensuring it meets high standards for professional audio performance in rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet.
- App Control: Users can configure the subwoofer settings (volume, crossover frequency, delay, phase) through the M&K App available for iOS and Android. This includes manual EQ and auto EQ functionalities to adapt to room acoustics
- Compact Design: The V12+ features a sleek and modern design, making it suitable for various home environments
