Los Vega's HT

[talstarone]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Hello all,

Thought I'd drop by and introduce you to the newest member in my HT family:


MX-125 MkII Subwoofer
Drivers: (2) 12" long-throw MK125
Push pull configuration virtually eliminates even harmonic distortion
Built-in 150 watt RMS amplifier
Active Headroom Maximizer IV design to prevent clipping
Adjustable 50Hz-125Hz low-pass filter with bypass
Frequency Response: 20 - 125 Hz ± 3dB
Weight: 64 lbs
Dimensions: 23" H x 15.25" W x 19 5/8" D

I was really impressed with Subs with multiple drivers in the same unit, such as the Martin Logan Descent, which utilize the configuration to cancel out cabinet noise and vibration. I came across the now bankrupt (but soon returning) Miller & Keisler line of subs. According to a review I found: M&K's MX-125 subwoofer houses two long-throw 12" woofers in a push-pull configuration. These are the same drivers used in the THX-Ultra certified MX-350 MkII subwoofer. This design has one driver facing into the room while the second driver faces up into the bottom of the cabinet. Both drivers are wired electrically out of phase, but acoustically in phase with one another, doubling the amount of acoustical power into the room.

I was lucky enough to find this beauty in Craigslist and finalized the deal today at an unbelievable price of $125!! I already hooked it up and am totally blown away. I did not know I was missing bass until I tried this one out. Totally awesome!

Here's a few more pics:

The M&K next to my 12" AA for comparison (notice that the AA is on a riser):


Here's a better view of the second 12" Driver:


This sub is in great condition.

A few interesting facts about M&K:
For a while M&K was the highly recognized speaker manufacturer in the US. Their speakers were used in the making of several of the Star Wars movies. The founders have been credited as the first subwoofer makers. In 2007 they went bankrupt, but recently they are being resurrected by a UK company and are now starting to make speakers again. Check abt.com to see some of the new lines, which include high end subs still utilizing the dual configuration shown above.

From my research, the quality of the older M&K speakers are fantastic and can be had at very reasonable prices if you can find them (people have never heard of them or are not interested due to the bankruptcy). But I have also found that parts are very easy to come by on ebay, in fact I am thinking of upgrading the drivers with an upgraded model which are supposed to increase the output by 6db.

I used the funds I had set aside to upgrade the 12" driver on the AA and was able to get a whole Sub unit with two 12" drivers. This purchase came totally unexpected and may be the best purchase of the year!

Vega,my Friend.That New Sub is a Beauty.
I remember seeing ads for their subs in the early and mid 1990's Audio Magazines.
They were Truly Highly Regarded for the Performance and construction.

That may go down as the best find of the Year.
To locate that sub for that price is Amazing.

The whole sub is around the same price the Basic Entry Level Subs cost now.But performs like Subs costing 7 or 8 times the incredible price you paid.

Congratulations and it looks as if you have a Great Member of your Sub Family.

So will you end up upgrading the Driver in the AA now.Or will the AA be retired for use in another room or an entirely new home?

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by talstarone

Vega,my Friend.That New Sub is a Beauty.
I remember seeing ads for their subs in the early and mid 1990's Audio Magazines.
They were Truly Highly Regarded for the Performance and construction.

That may go down as the best find of the Year.
To locate that sub for that price is Amazing.

The whole sub is around the same price the Basic Entry Level Subs cost now.But performs like Subs costing 7 or 8 times the incredible price you paid.

Congratulations and it looks as if you have a Great Member of your Sub Family.

So will you end up upgrading the Driver in the AA now.Or will the AA be retired for use in another room or an entirely new home?

Hey Tals, I hope that pain medication is kicking in and your feeling more comfortable!

Yes, I still have a hard time believing I scored this one, definitely in the right place at the right time.

I am not sure about the AA, it is a good sub and sounds great, but as I have always stated, it really needs help with the higher Lows, which is what I have been using my modified 10" Kenwood (with the Dayton HF Driver) for. I am happy with it, but I have been looking to upgrade for a while. For now, I will continue to use it as a third sub, but at the same time, I am looking into other brands and would love to find a second M&K with the push/pull configuration.

[vega2K]

Okay I took a plunge! I have purchased the pieces to build my own M&K push/pull Subwoofer!


- 1 x MPS-5320; B-Stock, black matte 2X12 push-pull sub-woofer cabinet (15.5" X 27" X 17.5") includes grill; made by Miller & Kreisel (M&K)

- 1 x Miller & Kreisel (M&K) VX-1250/MX-2500 250W Sub-Woofer Plate Amplifier

- 2 x M & K Sound 12 inch Woofers Model 17035, New, Unused, Bulk Packed Miller and Kreisel Super Fast Deep Bass

The end result should be something like this from ebay. Of course I will be paying about half of the asking price!
M&K Sound mk-2500 Miller & Kriesel mk2500 Subwoofer - eBay (item 200430258324 end time Jan-26-10 14:36:39 PST)

Wish me luck!!!!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Okay I took a plunge! I have purchased the pieces to build my own M&K push/pull Subwoofer!


- 1 x MPS-5320; B-Stock, black matte 2X12 push-pull sub-woofer cabinet (15.5" X 27" X 17.5") includes grill; made by Miller & Kreisel (M&K)

- 1 x Miller & Kreisel (M&K) VX-1250/MX-2500 250W Sub-Woofer Plate Amplifier

- 2 x M & K Sound 12 inch Woofers Model 17035, New, Unused, Bulk Packed Miller and Kreisel Super Fast Deep Bass

The end result should be something like this from ebay. Of course I will be paying about half of the asking price!
M&K Sound mk-2500 Miller & Kriesel mk2500 Subwoofer - eBay (item 200430258324 end time Jan-26-10 14:36:39 PST)

Wish me luck!!!!!

Wow! That's quite the project Vega, and even better at half the price! I wish I had the kind of talent you DIY'ers had, but this stuff is way beyond my comprehension.

Good luck and do post pics during the build!

John

[SeanMF]

Good luck with that!

[rded]

Good Luck Vega! How long will it take you to complete?

[crazyBLUE]

Real cool vega , Remember pics & reviews

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by SeanMF

Good luck with that!

Thanks Sean!

Originally Posted by rded

Good Luck Vega! How long will it take you to complete?

Thanks Rhett! Once I get all the parts, believe it or not, I am expecting to finish in about 4 hours (knocks on wood). The hardest part will be cutting the amp openning to fit the amp (I may not even need to do that) and tapping screw holes. Then install the amp, install the drivers, wire it up, apply polyfill, and test. I 've read enough to know how I need to wire it up, so I think it is pretty straight forward.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by vega2K

Okay I took a plunge! I have purchased the pieces to build my own M&K push/pull Subwoofer!

These push-pull subwoofers work like dipole surround speakers that have their drivers connected out of phase.

As an alternative to push-pull subwoofer, you may want to consider building a subwoofer with one 12" driver and a 12" or larger passive radiator. Passive radiators are an alternative to bass ports and are cheaper than another subwoofer driver with excellent results. Almost all Definitive Technology subwoofers and Super Towers have subwoofer drivers and passive radiators.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

These push-pull subwoofers work like dipole surround speakers that have their drivers connected out of phase.

As an alternative to push-pull subwoofer, you may want to consider building a subwoofer with one 12" driver and a 12" or larger passive radiator. Passive radiators are an alternative to bass ports and are cheaper than another subwoofer driver with excellent results. Almost all Definitive Technology subwoofers and Super Towers have subwoofer drivers and passive radiators.

I did not know that. Thanks Big Daddy. The drivers were not too expensive though at $89 a piece and when you consider a very similar M&K sub is going for $1400 at abt.com new, it's worth the cost!

Edit: Correction - the abt.com sub is actually going for $1800, check it out:
http://www.abt.com/product/36193/MK-Sound-MX250.html