Very decent subwoofer

The motivation to buy
Some facts about me; my ears have been around for almost 42 years in service and perform were often harassed in nightclubs. However, I have some experience because I've been working professionally for several years in the import and distribution of American Hi-Fi Products (a / d / s /). During this time, I could hear a variety of products compared. For me, a high fidelity is important, but most of all have to think about listening to music fun.
The Mivoc should replace a somewhat aged Sony SA-WM500, because of this with his 30 Bass be nice deafened, but very soft, imprecise and not very deep sounds. The large chassis seems to have been simply installed in a relatively small package to.
In addition, the Mivoc is advertised with having no transformer hum, which has shown an annoying problem when Sony from the outset. This is NOT meant a ground loop from the speaker itself, but a buzzing sound from 100 Hz (double mains frequency), the causes of the transformer of the output stage built by mechanical vibrations. Transformer hum is heard when a subwoofer is connected only to the mains and switched on. Whether an audio cable is connected, does not matter.

Equipment
Not just for the money makes the subwoofer a good impression. The bass driver and the housing act solid. True processing weaknesses I can not see, on the contrary, the case seems surprising dibasic. The small power amplifier makes the part not to the level of wonder for future deaf, but an average living room can be achieved by massaging powerfully so.
Speaking of power amplifier: The built-in analogue amplifier is of the simple variety (no switch-on, you can hear the typical pop), but also makes a solid impression and is not too hot during normal operation. As pleasantly I feel the rasterized variable level and crossover frequency. The integrated subsonic filter is interesting not only for lovers of vinyl records. It prevents the transmission of extremely low frequencies that anyway can not play the Subwoofer, but the cause dangerously large cone excursions. Whether front or down-firing subwoofers are a better choice over can probably argue endlessly. In my experience Frontfire subwoofer as these often appear less brutal. In music they possibly supplement because of similar emission characteristics, the sound of satellite harmonious. As always, exceptions prove the rule.

The Sound
My 5.1 system consists of a good old Yamaha RX-V1400 and the satellite speakers from Magnat Needle 11. These are not the soundless Alusäulen but small but nice bookshelf speaker made of wood, which have been produced up until about ten years. The calibration system has integrated the subwoofer correctly and suggested a cut-off frequency of 80 Hz before that I have manually changed to 100 Hz in order to relieve the satellites and to make the sound appear closed.
So the Mivoc provides a relatively quick, tight bass. The small, (unfortunately) not switched off bass boost at just 40 Hz works for me not intrusive, but linearized playback very low frequencies and moderate makes playback pleasantly tired (matter of taste). These sound characteristics of the subwoofer fits very well with my satellite.
What separates this subwoofer from more expensive devices (apart from expensive veneers)? As the final stage would be mentioned, which is not among the strongest and probably not expected to have the highest damping factor. This does not reach the precision ensure the highest score and records with respect to the lower limit frequency are also not achieved. However, I must say that I am very pleasantly surprised by the price-performance ratio. Hopefully that does not take revenge in a short shelf life.

The transformer hum
In principle, all growl analog transformers more or less and foolishly this tone of subwoofer enclosures is greatly enhanced, since they have optimal solution to this frequency range. Some people take the sound barely noticed, while others (like me) could up the wall with such a soft sound. Even the Mivoc is not absolutely quiet, but the hum of the transformer is significantly quieter than the Sony. On the back you only hear it when you moved his ear close to the active module. From the front it is noticeable from a very short distance through the bass reflex tube. In my installation, the noise amplified in addition, because the device has to be positioned close to a corner. Without music signal I can guess the sound from more than two meters yet, but even slightest music comes into play, it becomes clear drowned. I know amplifier and flat screen TV, humming their power supplies louder.
Although I can live with this noise, I have here my disappointment over the advertisement of Mivoc / Conrad significantly to the debate also bring a slight noise is a noise. The device would be advertised with statements such as sensational hum noise or similar, as this would leave not the bad aftertaste of a blank / false promise.

And now?
Why do I keep the subwoofer, even if it is not completely silent? On the one hand the hum is minimal even with critical consideration. Even an a / d / s / Sub10 (purchase price 2004: 1499) is buzzing louder. I just doubt at this point that in the price range under 500 euros a totally silent active subwoofer is ever to get. As already would have a digital amplifier ago.
Secondly, I like the bass reproduction, regardless of the price range very well. The 25er bass with his rigid PP membrane sounds more precisely and also lower than the 30 with paper cone with similar housing dimensions.
In addition, I can move the unit closer to the wall, because the bass reflex port facing forward. The Sony had its reflex opening on the back and directly above the ground.
Mivoc has built a very reasonable subwoofer. Now he just needs to be advertised honest ...