Just two weeks after dropping the Grotto Series home theater subwoofers priced at $2,300 and $2,800, MartinLogan clearly didn’t get the memo about inflation fatigue—because they’re already back with the new Depth Series, which somehow manages to climb even higher up the price ladder. Before you roll your eyes at another “premium” bass box, let’s take a closer look at what the Depth lineup actually brings to the table—and how it stacks up in a market where SVS, REL, and Hsu Research are all locked in a race to the bottom to deliver maximum low-end for minimum cash.
When asked about replacing MartinLogan’s flagship BalancedForce Subwoofers, Allan Tarrant, Senior Vice President of MartinLogan, said: “Replacing our flagship BalancedForce Subwoofers was no easy task. We decided to start from scratch and design something totally original in order to take bass performance to the next level. I am happy to report that this new Depth Series has exceeded our expectations in every way. From the overall look and feel, fit and finish, feature set, and most importantly, the sound quality, they really are something truly special.”
Key Features and Benefits of the MartinLogan Depth Series Subwoofers
Balanced Force Design: The goal of a subwoofer is to reproduce low frequencies with both control and accuracy. MartinLogan’s Balanced Force technology uses dual active 12-inch (Depth 212) or 15-inch (Depth 215) drivers mounted in opposing positions to cancel cabinet vibration and reduce distortion. The result is more stable, detailed bass performance that avoids the boominess often caused by enclosure resonance.
Carbon Aerocore Woofers: Each woofer cone features MartinLogan’s new Carbon Aerocore design, built from Carbon Fiber, PMI Structural Foam, and Fiberglass layers. This tri-layer structure offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining rigidity under heavy load. Triple venting beneath the spider, through the voice coils, and pole pieces improves airflow and minimizes heat, while dual copper shorting rings reduce distortion for consistent, well-controlled low-frequency output.
High-Power Amplification: The Depth Series relies on reference-grade Class-D amplifiers optimized for efficiency and low distortion. The Depth 212 delivers 2,200W Dynamic Peak (1,100W RMS), while the Depth 215 uses dual amplifiers for 4,400W Dynamic Peak (2,200W RMS). These amps maintain linear performance across volume levels, ensuring accurate bass reproduction whether you’re listening quietly or pushing your system harder.
Advanced DSP Control: Both models are powered by MartinLogan’s proprietary 500MHz 64-bit Vojtko DSP Engine, which continuously monitors and adjusts performance in real time. This system manages crossover points, phase alignment, and output levels with precision, ensuring accurate, balanced bass response that integrates cleanly with main speakers in both music and home theater systems.
Efficient Thermal Management: To sustain that level of power and digital processing, the Depth 212 and 215 are built to stay cool under pressure. MartinLogan’s Convection-Cooled Concealed Amplifier Design hides the amplifier and connections within a streamlined rear trim assembly featuring dual aluminum heatsinks. This setup promotes effective passive airflow, maintaining amplifier stability during extended listening sessions while keeping cable management tidy and the overall look refined.
Anthem Room Correction (ARC): As part of the Anthem/Paradigm/MartinLogan (PML Sound International)family, the Depth Series includes Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis) for accurate room equalization and calibration. Using the included premium calibration microphone kit, users can quickly measure and adjust the subwoofer’s response to match their room acoustics, improving bass integration and overall system balance.
Pro Tip: Anthem ARC is not the same as HDMI-ARC. The former is a room correction system, while HDMI-ARC is a connection protocol for sending audio from a TV to compatible equipment.
Touch Control Interface: Once setup is complete, users can fine-tune performance using MartinLogan’s Concealed Touch Control Interface (TCI). Located on the rear panel, six backlit touch points and an LED display provide direct access to all key settings. The backlighting can also be customized—or turned off entirely—for a clean, discreet appearance.
Pro Tip: Prefer using your phone? The MartinLogan Control App offers full wireless access to tuning and configuration options for even easier adjustments.
Comprehensive Connectivity: The Depth Series subwoofers are designed to integrate easily into a wide range of systems, from two-channel setups to full-scale home theaters. Connection options include XLR Left and Right, XLR LFE (Right XLR), dedicated RCA LFE, RCA Left and Right, Speaker Level inputs (via banana plugs), and an RCA Sub Out for daisy-chaining or multi-sub configurations.
As an added convenience, both the Depth 212 and Depth 215 feature built-in lossless wireless connectivity, allowing for flexible placement without the clutter of additional cables while maintaining full-resolution signal integrity.
Integrated Anti-Vibration Feet: Often overlooked but essential, the anti-vibration feet on the Depth Series subwoofers are engineered to isolate the cabinet from the floor—whether on hardwood, tile, or carpet. This design minimizes energy transfer and resonance, reducing room rattles and unwanted vibrations. The result is tighter, cleaner bass with improved overall clarity and system dynamics, allowing the subwoofer to perform at its best without shaking the rest of the room.
When asked about the technology behind the new subwoofers, Andrew Lindsey, Product Manager at MartinLogan, replied that “The BalancedForce woofer configuration has been a key part of our subwoofer technologies for decades, ever since it was first used in the Statement E2 sub-bass towers. Depth 212 and Depth 215 utilize this balanced, dual-opposed design to great effect, using an all-new woofer cone material we call Carbon Aerocore. These cutting-edge woofer cones use a tri-layer, unibody construction composed of a Carbon Fiber layer, a PMI structural foam layer, and finally a fiberglass layer. This combination provides an extreme strength-to-weight ratio with incredible self-dampening properties—leaving nothing but clean, detailed, articulate bass.”
Comparison
| MartinLogan Model | Depth 212 | Depth 215 | Grotto 12 | Grotto 15 |
| Product Type | Powered Wireless Subwoofer | Powered Wireless Subwoofer | Powered Wireless Subwoofer | Powered Wireless Subwoofer |
| Price | $5,499 | $6,999 | $2,299 | $2,799 |
| Frequency Response | 18–120 Hz ±3 dB (Anechoic via LFE input) | 18–120 Hz ±3 dB (Anechoic via LFE input) | 22-120 Hz ±3 dB (Anechoic via LFE input) | 20-120 Hz ±3 dB (Anechoic via LFE input) |
| Low Frequency Transducer | Dual Active 12″ cast-aluminum basket, high excursion, Carbon Aerocore cone woofers in a BalancedForce configuration with under spider, voice coil, and pole piece venting, plus dual copper shorting rings | Dual Active 15″ cast-aluminum basket, high excursion, Carbon Aerocore cone woofers in a BalancedForce configuration with under spider, voice coil, and pole piece venting, plus dual copper shorting rings. | Triple 12″ (25.4cm) Hybrid Woofer System consisting of 1x high-excursion, aluminum cone in a cast aluminum basket with 2x aluminum cone passive radiators for enhanced low frequency output. | Triple 15″ (25.4cm) Hybrid Woofer System consisting of 1x high-excursion, aluminum cone in a cast aluminum basket with 2x aluminum cone passive radiators for enhanced low frequency output. |
| Amplifier | Reference Grade Class-D Amplifier: 2,200W Dynamic Peak (1,100W RMS) | Dual Reference Grade Class-D Amplifiers: 4,400W Dynamic Peak (2,200W RMS) | MartinLogan Magnitude MT 2kW Amplifier: 2000W peak (1000W continuous) | MartinLogan Magnitude MT-2kW Amplifier: 2000W peak (1000W continuous) |
| Digital Signal Processing | UltraHigh-Resolution 500MHz Vojtko DSP Engine with 64bit processing | Ultra High-Resolution 500MHz Vojtko DSP Engine with 64bit processing | Ultra High-Resolution 500MHz Vojtko DSP Engine with 64bit processing | Ultra High-Resolution 500MHz Vojtko DSP Engine with 64bit processing |
| Cabinet | Extensively braced and reinforced variable thickness (1-3″) cabinet | Extensively braced and reinforced variable thickness (1-3″) cabinet | Sealed 1″ thick MDF cabinet with center brace and reinforced MDF woofer baffles | Sealed 1″ thick MDF cabinet with center brace and reinforced MDF woofer baffles |
| Controls (Touch Control Interface) | Level Adjustment Tone Sweep Low Pass Filter Phase/Polarity Listening Mode 20-30Hz Level ARC On/Off Wireless On/Off Passcode Lock Logo Color Information Factory Reset Language Selection Owner’s Manual QR Code Control APP QR Code | Level Adjustment Tone Sweep Low Pass Filter Phase/Polarity Listening Mode 20-30Hz Level ARC On/Off Wireless On/Off Passcode Lock Logo Color Information Factory Reset Language Selection Owner’s Manual QR Code Control APP QR Code | Level: Interactive LED Backlit Knob, Min–Max Tone Sweep: Sweep Start and Pause (with status light) Power Mode: On, 12v Trigger Auto Wireless Audio Pairing Button (for included MartinLogan wireless transmitter) | Level: Interactive LED Backlit Knob, Min–Max Tone Sweep: Sweep Start and Pause (with status light) Power Mode: On, 12v Trigger Auto Wireless Audio Pairing Button (for included MartinLogan wireless transmitter) |
| Controls (via Bluetooth) | Level: -40 to 12dB (Min-Max) Low-Pass Filter (Frequency): 35–120Hz (1° Increments) Low-Pass Filter (Order): Bypass, Third, Fourth Phase: 0–180° (1° Increments) Phase (Polarity): Normal, Inverted Preset Listening Modes: Movie, Music, Night 20–30Hz Level: ±10dB Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis): On, Off Tone Sweep (120-20Hz): On, Off, Pause (Frequency) | Level: -40 to 12dB (Min-Max) Low-Pass Filter (Frequency): 35–120Hz (1° Increments) Low-Pass Filter (Order): Bypass, Third, Fourth Phase: 0–180° (1° Increments) Phase (Polarity): Normal, Inverted Preset Listening Modes: Movie, Music, Night 20–30Hz Level: ±10dB Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis): On, Off Tone Sweep (120-20Hz): On, Off, Pause (Frequency) | Level: -40 to 12dB (Min-Max) Low-Pass Filter (Frequency): 35–120Hz (1° Increments) Low-Pass Filter (Order): Bypass, Third, Fourth Phase: 0–180° (1° Increments) Phase (Polarity): Normal, Inverted Preset Listening Modes: Movie, Music, Night 20–30Hz Level: ±10dB Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis): On, Off Tone Sweep (120-20Hz): On, Off, Pause (Frequency) | Level: -40 to 12dB (Min-Max) Low-Pass Filter (Frequency): 35–120Hz (1° Increments) Low-Pass Filter (Order): Bypass, Third, Fourth Phase: 0–180° (1° Increments) Phase (Polarity): Normal, Inverted Preset Listening Modes: Movie, Music, Night 20–30Hz Level: ±10dB Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis): On, Off Tone Sweep (120-20Hz): On, Off, Pause (Frequency) |
| Inputs | Line Level: Left, Right, and LFE XLR: Left, Right or LFE (Right In) Speaker Level: Left and Right (requires banana plugs) | Line Level: Left, Right, and LFE XLR: Left, Right or LFE (Right In) Speaker Level: Left and Right (requires banana plugs) | Line Level: Left, Right, and LFE XLR: LFE Speaker Level: Left and Right (requires banana plugs) | Line Level: Left, Right, and LFE XLR: LFE Speaker Level: Left and Right (requires banana plugs) |
| Output | RCA Sub Out (Outputs the sum of all connected inputs) | RCA Sub Out (Outputs the sum of all connected inputs) | RCA Sub Out (combines and repeats all incoming signals to an additional subwoofer) | RCA Sub Out (combines and repeats all incoming signals to an additional subwoofer) |
| Wireless Input | Integrated Wireless Receiver, Wireless Transmitter Included | Integrated Wireless Receiver, Wireless Transmitter Included | Integrated Wireless Receiver Wireless Transmitter Included | Integrated Wireless Receiver Wireless Transmitter Included |
| Power Draw | Standby (Wireless Disabled): 0.5W Standby (Wireless Enabled): <2W *Transmitter and Subwoofer combined | Standby (Wireless Disabled): 0.5W Standby (Wireless Enabled): <2W *Transmitter and Subwoofer combined | Max: 1000W Standby (Wireless Enabled): < 2W (Transmitter and Subwoofer combined) Standby (Wireless Disabled): 0.5W | Max: 1000W Standby (Wireless Enabled): < 2W (Transmitter and Subwoofer combined) Standby (Wireless Disabled): 0.5W |
| Feet | Integrated Anti-Vibration Feet (carpet spikes included) | Integrated Anti-Vibration Feet (carpet spikes included) | Integrated Anti-Vibration Feet (carpet spikes included) | Integrated Anti-Vibration Feet (carpet spikes included) |
| Weight | 127 lbs (57.6kg) | 173 lbs (78.5kg) | 82.5 lbs (37.4 kg) | 118 lbs (53.5 kg) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) Product height is without carpet spikes but includes the feet. | 21 x 19.8″ x 20.4 inches 53.3 x 50.3 x 51.8cm | 22.5 x 22.8 x 23.4 inches 57.2 x 58 x 59.5cm | 17.8 x 17.9 x 17.9 inches 45.2 x 45. x 45.4cm | 20.5 x 21.8 x 21.8 inches 52.2 x 55.4 x 55.4cm |
| Finish | Gloss Black | Gloss Black | Gloss Black | Gloss Black |
The Bottom Line
MartinLogan didn’t waste any time following up the Grotto Series with the new Depth Series, and this move feels like a clear signal that they’re coming for the high-end home theater crowd with some serious intent. The Depth 212 and Depth 215 bring plenty of substance to justify their price hike — from Balanced Force dual-opposed drivers and Carbon Aerocore woofer cones to Anthem Room Correction (ARC Genesis) and a 500MHz 64-bit Vojtko DSP engine that keeps everything in check.
The reference-grade Class-D amplification delivers between 2,200W and 4,400W Dynamic Peak power, backed by lossless wireless connectivity, convection cooling, and anti-vibration feet that help keep the bass tight, controlled, and floor-friendly.
That said, MartinLogan isn’t operating in a vacuum. SVS continues to redefine performance per dollar with its SB 17-Ultra R|Evolution and SB-5000 R|Evolution subs, while REL’s Serie S, DALI’s SUB V-16 F, and Raidho’s TD8 and TD10 all compete in the same sandbox with their own design philosophies and sonic signatures.
How the Depth Series and Grotto Series stack up in real-world listening rooms remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: MartinLogan isn’t shying away from flexing its engineering muscle in a market that’s already loaded with heavy hitters. And if you somehow think this still isn’t enough bass, there’s always the $30,000 Wilson Audio Submerge or the $35,000 McIntosh PS1K, because nothing says “I like low end” quite like shaking the foundation—literally.
Pricing & Availability
Available Models and Pricing: Launching in Gloss Black with a variety of color options coming in 2026 – available through MartinLogan Authorized Dealers.
- Depth 212: $5,499.99 USD | $7,249.99 CAD
- Depth 215: $6,999.99 USD | $8,999.99 CAD
Also available:
- Grotto 12: $2,299.99 USD | $2,599.99 CAD
- Grotto 15: $2,799.99 USD | $3,199.99 CAD
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