Review

Seismix 3 mk2 Complete Review - Australian Hi-Fi Best Buys - Australia

01 Aug 2004

If you’ve ever been to a cinema in one of Australia’s major cities, chances are that you have already experienced a Krix subwoofer. Established in 1974, this renowned Adelaide-based speaker designer and manufacturer has been producing commercial cinema loudspeaker systems used around Australia since 1980. With this pedigree and a wealth of awards for both professional and consumer products, it’s hard not to equate Krix products with premium sound.

Equipment

Released a little over three years ago, the original Seismix 3 was an instant success, providing customers with refined bass performance and control from an entry level amplified subwoofer. The Mk2 delivers more energy, lower response and more power output than its predecessor. The main aim in the design of the Mk2 was to increase low frequency energy output while maintaining musicality and control. Vital to this was the selection of a new 10 inch driver with a longer excursion, thus moving more air and resulting in richer, deeper bass with greater impact. The Seismix Mk2 is also tuned lower at 28Hz, with low frequency response rumbling down to 22Hz.

The enclosure has also been redesigned to make it more room-friendly, with a smaller footprint of 360x415x390mm (WHD) while maintaining its 20kg mass. The bass reflex port has also been moved around to the front, rather than the side on the Mk1, thus increasing its placement options. The amplifier has also been doubled to 200 watts in the Seismix 3 Mk2.

Removing the cloth grille from the front baffle reveals the forward-firing 10 inch long throw paper woofer mounted top left and a bass reflex port on the lower right. The large diameter port is flared on both inside and outside edges, which is said to aid in the elimination of chuffing. A thin (around 15mm diameter) wooden arm is also solidly attached in the centre of the port around half way in to prevent small hands from reaching the electronics and perhaps even stop animals from taking up residence in the cavernous maw.

The rear of the Seismix 3 Mk2 is a fairly simple affair, with a single pair of RCA inputs along with HP/LP and phase inversion switches. There are also two dials that control the volume and crossover point, un-graduated so setting the levels is all about careful listening. There is a power switch and the supply is auto sensing, while the amplifier is also equipped with clipping and fuse protection.

Our evaluation unit was finished in a polished jarrah timber veneer that looks and feels a treat, with black and beech veneer options along with the lower priced black and silver vinyl finishes.

Performance

We tested the Seismix 3 Mk2 connected to the subwoofer output of a 5.1 amplifier/receiver and tested it with both a full-range floorstanding surround speaker package and a surround satellite package. In both instances the Mk2 proved its effectiveness. It rumbled down to the lowest frequencies of DVD soundtracks, often quaking the room, and when combined with a high-quality surround speaker system the Seismix 3 Mk2 gave a full-bodied cinema sound.

You can keep the settings relatively low while still outputting loud and tight bass, and it’s only when you reach full volume that the sound becomes a little boomy and ragged. But there would be few good reasons to overload the Seismix 3 Mk2 as it has plenty of overhead for all but the most demanding bass aficionados. Just for good measure we also tested the subwoofer in a 2.1 hi-fi audition and it performed effortlessly on a variety of both acoustic and electronic bass intensive test tracks, as expected.

Conclusion

The Seismix 3 Mk2 is one of those rare products that is not only an improvement on the last version but now even better value, reduced from $1500 for the Mk1 to around $1000 for the Mk2, depending on the finish. When you consider the improvements and the price drop you won’t believe what your ears are telling you. Deep, low and powerful, the Krix Seismix 3 Mk2 subwoofer is truly a best buy.

- Australian Hi-Fi Best Buys - Australia , Greg Borrowman

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