The Saadhana was Rethm's first product to include bass augmentation. We at Rethm are committed and enthusiastic believers in the high - efficiency, single driver philosophy of sound reproduction - as elaborated under the Rethm Philosophy section. However, we realize that for our loudspeakers to be considered truly full-range, we had to make it go where no full-range single drivers could go - well into the low 30's with bass.
First Decision - retain the full range driver as full range, and run it completely open, with no filters.
Second decision - have two separate enclosure: one to optimise the full range driver's potential, and another as the 'bass module'. This was also done to retain the full range units reproduction - so that none of the vibrations from the drivers could get to and colour the full range unit.
Third decision - amplification was needed for the bass unit, to all it to match the 99 db efficiency of the full range module
For more info please visit the Rethm Website.
The Maarga started life as a horn-loaded book shelf speaker. While this unit was amazing at what it did, midrange and up, we realized it was not going to be commercially successful because it had nothing below 100Hz. We first added a powered bass module. This brought the frequency response down almost to where we wanted it = to about 50Hz. But we felt that there was a 'leanness' in the upper bass/lower midrange. The full range enclosure was now redesigned, and 'horn extensions' were designed to fit on to the sides - which is the sild covered angular sides of the unit. The unit was transformed as soon as these extensions were added! Still dissatisfied with the quality and depth of the bass from the powered bass module, we set about redesigning the bass enclosure: From what was a sealed enclosure, we went to a very elaborate transmission-line like unit which finally gave us the bass quality we were looking for, with extension down to 40Hz, quickness and tightness with no bloat or overhang, while not being overly damped.
At 60% of the price of the Saadhana, the Maargas deliver 90% of the Saadhana's performance. In smaller rooms (under 30 Sqm) they are all one will need, and lose out to it's bigger sibling only in low bass scale and authority - and that too only with large scale musical works.
For more info please visit the Rethm Website.