JL Audio Fathom 12" Sub

I would like to hear a direct comparison from you (if you dont mind) of the F112 vs the DD-15. Performance and sound between the Fathoms and the DDs has been very similar with people leaning both directions. It is a great testimate to the Fathoms that they can play on a DDs level.

I have not heard an F112... but I would like to.

-Eli

TJEli ,

Can you give me your honest opinion about the jl audio vs 2 PB12/plus/2s. Is the bass that much better from the jl audio? I use the SVS strictly for movies. Movies only. Thanks

The best way to answer that is "it depends". I PMed you with a more in depth answer.

-Eli

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Care to PM me too?

Me too?

That must be some serious 12" driver if it can potentially outdo FOUR 12" PB SVS drivers.

Can you just post what you wrote in here.

I would love to see some info on a SINGLE sub that can reach what 2 PB12/plus/2s.

Now that would be something amazing.

Gents, The single Fathom 113 will not play louder than a pair of SVS PB12-Plus/2's. I don't recall anyone ever making that claim.

However, there is more to a subwoofer's performance than SPL.

You could compare the two in terms of real estate cost. In California, homes are going for about $200 per sq/ft. So the F113 would have a $300 land cost and two +/2 would have about $1200 in land cost.

The words better, louder

They are so general when talking about a sub and how it performs.

So we have to comepare apples to apples.

How does a SINGLE F112 or F113 match up with a comparable SVS sub. What is the comparable SVS sub that matches up with it in terms of Sound Quality, Bass Output, SPL...

F112 vs which SVS

F113 vs which SVS

That is what I am interested in.

I listened to a DD18 and an F113 this weekend at another forum members home. I will be writing up my impressions sometime this week. It will be just a DD18 comparo to the F113 and I won't add my +/2 into the mix.

I don't have Craigs experience, but the one thing I did notice was how different the voice of the sealed subs were compared to a ported sub. The sealed subs were more musical (I now know what people mean by that) and ported subs are more ... throaty.

Just keep an eye out for my write up. I will try to explain in more detail.

But can't the same argument of vague be made for the term sound quality? Sound quality will mean different things to different people in different environments.

Just a thought.

What I found
F112 12 inch woofer, 1500Watts (short-term)
F113 13 inch woofer, 2500Watts (short-term)
I find no reference after quickly scanning the website and the PDF manual for any Frequency Reponse charts.

-Fathom f112: $2200
-Fathom f113: $2800

So for the money

We have to compare these subs to
SVS PB-12 ULTRA for $1200
SVS PB-12 ULTRA/2 for $2000

So how do these babies match up?

Very true! I always like when people start thinking about the vocabulary we use. Thanks

First of all, my experience with the JL is with the F113 NOT the F112.

Since others asked, here is the PM I sent...

"I am a HUGE SVS supporter and will be for life. What I can tell you is this.... the F113 sounds better but does not have as much headroom as dual +/2s. The F113 extends lower and sounds better doing it. If I am watching a movie at -10 or lower, then yes I can say the single F113 sounds better. Any louder than that in my room and a second F113 would be needed to match the output of the dual +/2s.

Now, take this all for what it is worth. The Plus/2 is a VERY VERY good subwoofer...especially for the money. It is the clear "price vs. performance" winner in this battle. The performance difference between the 2 is a lot smaller than the price difference IMHO.

A single F113 can outgun a single plus/2 on all accounts....but it should be able to....its almost 3 times the cost.

I hope that helps. Let me know if I can be of more help."

-Eli

<<<<<<A single F113 can outgun a single plus/2 on all accounts....but it should be able to....its almost 3 times the cost.>>>>>>

it should be able to base on cost? dont make no sense. the darn thing is 3 times smaller and SEALED too!

fyi, price is no where close to 3 times cost when u compare street prices at dealer. maybe twice the cost. performance of f113 with size and cost factor in, it is the winner.

I think for 2200-2800 I'd rather have 2 PB12-Plus/2 for $2400.

That would HAVE to totally KILL the JL in terms of Bass for the $$$$$$$

two of those would take up half the living room, har har. sound qualities would still be better from the one 113, so SQ for the $ would still go to FATHOM in that case

I think it depends what characteristics are important to the user. Every subwoofer has its strengths and weakness, and that includes cost.

For you, size isn't a consideration, but for many like myself, size is an important consideration, especially if I want to stay married with my wife.

Flipping the argument around, would I could spend $700-800 more to have a single subwoofer, a smaller volume, and in a sealed design? For me, the answer is yes, but for others it won't be.

Different strokes for different folks. All these choices, in the end, are great for consumer.

John....please dont start infesting this thread with your trolling.. Yes, We get it....we all get it...you hate XYZ company...no need to keep repeating yourself in every freaking thread!

smaller and "sealed" have jack to do with the qualifications of the sound quality of a sub. Some prefer sealed over ported, and viceversa....they are distinct. By the same token, there are plenty of ported subs that sound vastly better than sealed counterparts, and viceversa.

Eli gave his impressions of his experience with his subs in his room......if you dont like or agree with his statement, then buy the subs yourself, and start your own thread/review........there is absolutely nothing that "don't make no sense" about his statement

Exactly

For its size the JL subs beat the stuffing out of the large SVS. To me price is a secondary concern,very secondary. ANd the JL subs are THE best performing compact subs made. Period

Velodyne's best compact subs do not match the JL SQ and output...and cost more!

Is the driver that is used in the fathoms unique to their home audio products? Or is it used in car audio applications as well.

I know it doesn't matter, just curious.

bgilly, you are making the same mistake I have made. You are making quantitative comparisons because you can. Total SPL, amount of displacement, number of drivers, dollars per max db. These are easy to make comparisons. What people have been trying to pound into my head is that you, and only you, can make the qualitative comparisons. Does it sound better to you. If yes, is it worth spending the extra money to obtain it?

You have to realize, some people like boomy subs and would be very happy with an inexpensive sub. Some people have more refined taste, but not much cash and have to settle for budget subs. Some people, like me, are satisfied with a mid level sub even if they can discern a difference in the higher priced subs. Some people will spend the additional amount for the perceived improvement in sound reproduction, even if the improvement is slight and the added cost is great.

And don't fall for the vocabulary challenged posters that can only use terms like, 'X will blow away Y', or 'X will stomp all over Y'. They are just trying to goad you into an argument.

excellent post Ransac....thank you!

glad to see there is some voice of logic behind the few in here with the pom poms in hand

I would definitely fall into this category. :-)

NO POM POMs in my hand. I'd love to hear this JL Sub.

HELL, I'd buy one if it sounds as good as you are saying!

FWIW guys... size is not a concern for me and is not a factor in my decision making. As a matter of fact, the JL looks wimpy compared to what I am use to.

My comment about price was assuming that in a perfect situation, a higher MSRP gets you more R&D, higher end components, ect. so the higher cost "should" buy you more performance. (it was an analogy)

In an ouput contest, the dual +/2s will win... and sound really darn good doing it... providing a relative performance bargain.

In my room, the ouput of a single F113 during typical scenes seems to fall in between a single and dual +/2s.

My impressions have nothing to do with preference for sealed vs ported. I have heard well executed examples of both.


As was stated above, just MY impressions. YMMV.

-Eli

Like I said to TJEli , I hit 117 db's in my room with my SVS tuned to 20 hz, and 121 spl in the 25 hz tune. I only use my radio shack spl to measure from my chair. I am not looking for more spl. I was curious on what better bass means. I obviously don't need to subs. I might just wait to see what people say about the new ultra and submersive before I try the JL audio. I have heard M&K MX-5000THX subs(dual) several times and I think the SVS sounds as good. The M&K's are sealed designs. My SVS has alot more power though and can make you dizzy after a demo where the M&K can not. I know the jl audio and submersive are supposed to give you the sealed sound and impact. I can get the jl audio for a little more than say a submersive or ultra/2. would it be worth it?

The JL is a very good subwoofer. However, in my opinion, it does not "beat the stuffing" out of a large SVS. (ala +/2, Ultra, Ultra/2, ect)

I have been trying VERY hard not to give performance misconceptions to people that have not had the priviledge of listening to high quality subwoofers from many manufacturers. If you take the statement above at face value, it sounds like the F113 blows big SVSs out of the water and that just isn't the case.

Is there a performance difference? Yes.

Is it a HUGE difference from other top performing subs? No.

-Eli