TBI MAGELLAN VIP ACTIVE BASS MODULE Subwoofers Reviews


TBI MAGELLAN VIP ACTIVE BASS MODULE
MSRP:
$ 1250.00
Embedded Transmission Line active Subwoofer, unique size, shape.

   
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Rating
Reviewed by:

IMHOAudio

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
August 2, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 1

Price Paid:  $1250.00 from Online Direct

Summary:
After considering several options, we chose this unconventional sub from a smaller brand. As we desired a versatile and musical subwoofer over those with visceral traits alone, the Magellan was a great match for our needs. It provides “bass texture” that subs costing much more demonstrate, yet has great flexibility and control to match with various sets, types, and brands of speakers.

Reaching down to a manufacturer claimed (and undisputed by this writer)18Hz frequency response, the VIP also reaches up into the 150hz territory making it a great match for full range speakers and monitors alike. Though subs are notoriously difficult to position in rooms, this subwoofer has stayed in the location where we first placed it, just to the right of center, between our mains, and have had no trouble “dialing it in” to seamlessly match our reference mains. The Magellan’s unique shape also makes it more placement versatile than most other subs (try sliding some very competent alternatives under a couch!) while sacrificing neither timber or range; the aptly named VIP is physically discrete and probably more universally welcome in most rooms, than the majority of the large, box-shaped competitors! Kudos to TBI for literally thinking “out of the box”, creatively producing an awesome, unique and yet very utilitarian product!

Strengths:
Easy to place b/c of size, very musical and tuneful; easy to set-up. Decent price. Unique.

Weaknesses:
Too small for those who have a complex about these things... two may be better for those who would use for only movies and prefer BOOM over tone.

Similar Products Used:
Martin Logan Dynamo, Abyss; SVS, Paradigm Products.


Comments
BioDaddy (01/16/2010)
I have owned a Magellan VIP for 6 years plus the Magellan VI that I use in a second system with a Dayton SW plate amp. Both have performed flawlessly with both music and HT use. Like you, I have appreciated the vertical mounting option (like a computer tower) and have placed it discreetly behind an antique clock on a bookshelf above my HDTV.

One unique feature that you overlooked in your review is this sub's ability to "voice" with the mains and other satellite speakers in my system while it sonically pulls off a total disappearing act in the listening room. What this means is that if bass is intended by the recording engineer to come from the left, right or rear in the sound stage, then that's exactly where you will hear it: emanating from that particular channel's speaker; never from the Magellan itself. I have nerver heard of any other subwoofer that can do that.
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