JL Audio Fathom 13" Sub - Page 112

I noticed that my Logitech Z-2300 computer speaker's satellite look a lot like a Gotham! LOL

Manville ... They DO both have curved backs.

Of course, the Gotham makes me want to order one, while the computer speakers ... not so much.

Heh with the full gotham grill cover you might think it's a satellite speaker (with no other size reference), but as soon as those buttons on top are exposed that theory flies right out the window

So you haven't heard of the new Gotham satellite speaker?

LOL this is great! Now I remember why I kept my subscription to this thread live! Nice work ;p

Wow, if they built a fathom to that scale relative to the gotham it would have one MONSTER woofer...I want one! Kinda like the giant woofer that sends McFly across the room in Back to the Future.

are you sorry you posted this yet ?

Setup would be challenging:

lolololol.

There's one on Audiogon right now should anyone be man enough for it.

Hell, if I think my room could handle it I'd consider it. But my single f113 does just fine. And I think my girlfriend and dog would leave me if I bought a second sub. The dog already leaves the room when things get rockin'.

awesome picture! that's hilarious.

Build me a subwoofer worthy of... That is what he said in LOTR

Speaking of setup:

I am incorporating a 2 channel pre pro with HT bypass into my 5.1 system and to run the JL113 in both the processor for movies and off the 2 channel Conrad Johnson pre pro for music is a bit confusing to me. I can connect the JL via a Y adapter to both the SSP and the pre pro, but my question is how would I calibrate the sub and set the crossover in the SSP?

I'm thinking to manually set the sub to crossover at i.e. 80 hz, which would take care of the 2 channel side, but what about the SSP? Is what I am trying to accomplish possible using the JL in both pieces?

Thanks in advance.

I'm probably going to do the same thing Mozvz. You can set the volume and crossover frequency, phase etc... using the fathom for 2 channel and then bypass the volume control and crossover whenever you use the sub for ht, while making the necessary adjustments in the ssp.

Bogg,

Perhaps I am having a brain fart with the setup of a dedicated 2 channel pre pro with HT Bypass and an SSP integrated into the same system using the JL113 subwoofer. Please correct me if I am wrong with what I am writing as I am far from a genius with this stuff, but I do try!! Or maybe my comprehension skills are deteriorating as we speak on what you wrote.

If I am using the sub connected to the SSP I can use the calibration level, crossover frequency and speaker settings (Lg/Small) at the SSP level. The SSP controls what the Fathom outputs. I would need to set the JL113 level mode switch to "Reference."

Now, if I am using the sub in 2 channel through the pre pro (HT Bypass) with the Fathom connected, (2.1) that would not be advisable because the sub is not able to access the settings from the SSP because its out of the loop? Wouldn't I need to set the level mode switch to "Variable" then set the "LP Filter" to "12db" or "24db" and then the "LP freq" to whatever crossover i.e 80 I desired?

It would seem that if the SSP control settings are out of the loop when the 2 channel pre pro is active, (HT Bypass) then what the heck would control the JL's settings if it's not getting a signal from the SSP? Wouldn't that need to be done manually with what I suggest because in a dedicated 2 channel pre pro, everything is sent to the 2 front speakers as large and the sub would receive the same signal unless you tell it where to cross over the entire signal?

Maybe I am over analyzing this entire process!!

Thanks,
Charles

Charles, I think we're saying similar things. Let me clarify: Hook up the fathom to the sub output on the ssp and set levels, phase etc using the ssp while leaving the jl in "reference" and bypassing the crossover. If you have used a balanced cable for the ssp to sub then you can use rca cable from audio preamp to sub and then use the adjustments on the jl for volume, phase etc... It will mean some disconnecting of cables when switching between ht and 2 channel which is a slight pita.
I'm not sure how you could use the ht bypass function in your audio preamp - I had the same thing but it was used for the front channels only.

Mozvz:

1) Connect your 2-channel preamp to the unbalanced inputs and your pre-pro to the Balanced Input(s). Just don't play them at the same time.

2) Run ARO

3) Adjust the Fathom for your 2-channel system (Crossover, phase, polarity, ELF and Level).

4) Now, defeat the Fathom's crossover, leaving all the other 2-channel settings in place, and adjust your pre-pro for Multi-channel listening (subwoofer level, bass management, delay, crossover freq., phase, etc.)

5) To operate the system in 2-channel mode, simply switch the Fathom's crossover on... to operate for multi-channel turn the crossover off.

Note: If you use an active outboard crossover for the 2-channel setup (instead of the Fathom's crossover), you can leave the Fathom's LP filter switch "off" and avoid switching altogether and you also gain high-pass filtering for your mains. I would strongly recommend this approach.

Hope that helps,

Manville Smith
JL Audio, Inc.

Bogg and Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your help. I'll follow your instructions!!

Charles

Quick question here.

I'm currently running 2 M&K MX-350 subs in my theater hooked into an SMS-1. I've stumbled across this thread several times and have done some research on the Fathom F113 and like what I see! I've been in a debate to try out the Klipsch THX Ultra2 subs (2 of them with the amp) and see how they perform, or go for a single F113 (with the thought of going to two shortly after).

Would I need the SMS-1 still if I went with the F113 since it has the ARO? I know I would need to keep it for the Klipsch's if I went that route. Has anyone had experience with all three subs before? I want to make sure I'm going to see, uh, well, FEEL the difference from what I have now to something new.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

The ARO is a single band parametric if my memory serves me correctly. A single band of EQ may be all that you need in your specific room. Maybe not. The SMS-1 still has far greater flexibility.

I would say keep the SMS-1.

--Regards,

The F113 is a wonderful sub but have you looked at Craig's ratings lately? The SVS Ultra 13 is in a class of its own (109 vs. 103) and you can have two for the price of one F113. Albeit the SVS is bigger than the smaller F113 but in sheer WOW power, the Ultra wins hands down.

You do realize this is a JL f113 support thread, not a thread comparing the f113 with the Ultra13?

Thanks, but no thanks. I can safely say the SVS brand is not for me. I did some visits to folks that had them and was simply not impressed like everyone seems to be around here. Now, I will say the auditions I have done have all been of their cylinders (one even had 4 of them), so I haven't seen/heard/felt the smaller box designs from them. Maybe I should take a look at one before completely dismissing them?



I'll take the SVS discussions there if I decide to do so. Right now, I'm interested in the F113.

I have not heard the Ultra2 sub but have dual F113's and an SMS-1. Depending on placement and your room ARO may be all you need. I find the SMS-1 in combination with ARO was helpful in smoothing the bass response in my HT. The good news is you already have the SMS-1 and regardless of your sub selection, you can try it and see for yourself.

So true! The SMS is a nifty little device. I could still go in there and tweak and tweak and tweak.

I watched the video on this and the Gotham and that is very impressive. I love having the controls handy in the front. Right now, mine are a pain to get to. Still doing some research here...

You again !!!!

You are in great need of a major transplant, to replace the cinder block your doctor calls brain.

This is the JL Audio Fathom thread, do you understand ? Hello anybody home ? Hello... no no avail.




In other news...should I really buy that Gotham...should I ? With all the kids running around pointing to some thread as it was some ultimate validation tool ?

Well yes I should because I trust nobody just my subbish selfish ear. And the Fathoms are subnsonic goodness.

You don't see me going to the SVS Ultra 13 threads and touting the Fathom 113's tremendous power in a small WAF enclosure?

Different strokes for different folks.

Of course you wouldn't tout the F113 on the SVS threads....the smaller and rather diminutive F113 has a lower rating than the SVS.

Cheers and good luck!

getech... Hmmm???

Are you the getech that is a disenfranchised JL Audio dealer?