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I just audtioned and touched a JL f113

6184 Views 79 Replies 27 Participants Last post by  bossobass, 
T
I saw a JL f113. It sounded great, tight and not boomy. It was rock solid and the construction was unbelievable. I had seen a SVS PB Ultra-13 in the past. I must say, the build quality is not even close. The JL is a quality product. The SVS may be a good performer but now I know where the money goes.
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M
i doubt the build quality is that much better than the Ultra.


i've heard an F113 and although it was impressive for it's size, i'd never buy one. it's way overpriced.
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The SVS PB-13 Ultra will both give higher SPL and lower distortion, so I would NOT exchange it for the f113. For the same money as the f113 one could get two PB-13 Ultra and really kill the f113! It would not stand a chance.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NIN74 /forum/post/16892745


The SVS PB-13 Ultra will both give higher SPL and lower distortion, so I would NOT exchange it for the f113. For the same money as the f113 one could get two PB-13 Ultra and really kill the f113! It would not stand a chance.
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hell, Chad from Epik says that the Epik Sentinel has similar output to the F113 and it's only $800.


i'm curious as to what on the F113 looked like it was built better. from what i have seen the Ultras are beautiful.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecutter /forum/post/16892375


I saw a JL f113. It sounded great, tight and not boomy. It was rock solid and the construction was unbelievable. I had seen a SVS PB Ultra-13 in the past. I must say, the build quality is not even close. The JL is a quality product. The SVS may be a good performer but now I know where the money goes.
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It's kind of ironic that with all the money going into that fantastic build quality, a fair number of Fathoms with defective drivers seem to be reported on in the f113 thread.
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J

Quote:
Originally Posted by mojomike /forum/post/16892866


...., a fair number of Fathoms with defective drivers seem to be reported on in the f113 thread.
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......typical American made junk.
They shoulda had em made in China. Fricken cheapskates.
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Having seen and heard the PB13 and F113 side-by-side, I can tell you the F113 has better aesthetics than the Ultra. Disregarding size, the F113 has a nice looking, brushed aluminum front control panel with quality switches and knobs. They put a well fit front cover over the speaker mounting screws so you don't see them. Now, with the grills on, these touches are hidden, but I don't usually see owners of either sub put their grills on. the Ultra has the hidden magnet grill retainers, so with the grill off, you don't see the mounting. The Fathom uses polished steel pins that are on the front with the sockets on the grill. They look good but they are conspicuous. On the back side, the amp on the Fathom looks like a well designed panel with aesthetics in mind. The Ultra amp is plain black with silk screening. Not ugly, but not impressive. Again, not many see the back side. If you have ever seen the inside of the Indigo amps, you would be disgusted with the sloppiness in the build. I don't know why the OEMs accept this. About box construction, again disregarding size, I don't believe there is an advantage here. Both have well made boxes. The Fathom, being smaller, may seem to be more ruggedly built. The drivers, I don't feel you can compare them. They are very different on the listener facing side and the Fathom has gives an initial better appearance, but that fades as you see them both for a longer time. On the back side, they are both well made with solid cages and powerful motors.


These are my impressions of these two without getting into performance differences.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NIN74 /forum/post/16892745


The SVS PB-13 Ultra will both give higher SPL and lower distortion, so I would NOT exchange it for the f113. For the same money as the f113 one could get two PB-13 Ultra and really kill the f113! It would not stand a chance.
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The difference between ID and B&M, is that with ID, the price is what it is. With B&M, there is a LOT of room for haggling. I guarantee you there isn't a single person who paid retail for a single component in the JL thread. I know I haven't.


For the record, I do own a JL, and after shipping, the SVS would've been the same price. That being said, if I can still get two PB13's, for the same price of a single JL (A LOT of people paid roughly the same as I did for mine in that thread), please point me as to where, as I'll sell my JL RIGHT now! As you can never have too much WOOFAGE.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcjasonb /forum/post/16892759


hell, Chad from Epik says that the Epik Sentinel has similar output to the F113 and it's only $800.


i'm curious as to what on the F113 looked like it was built better. from what i have seen the Ultras are beautiful.
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Dr. Bose says his speakers have "sound the size of speakers twice their size" at 4 times the price.


All kidding aside, you kind of have to take statements like that with a grain of salt. Not to mention, there is more to a sub than just output.


The SVS is a more traditionally constructed MDF cabinet, with a lot going into the bracing, and overall build quality. The JLs are actually made of meticulously spun fiberglass. Long story short, fiberglass takes longer to work with, as it has to set, so on and so forth.


There is actually a video on JL's site that demonstrates the process.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanaticalism /forum/post/16892964


The difference between ID and B&M, is that with ID, the price is what it is. With B&M, there is a LOT of room for haggling. I guarantee you there isn't a single person who paid retail for a single component in the JL thread. I know I haven't.


For the record, I do own a JL, and after shipping, the SVS would've been the same price. That being said, if I can still get two PB13's, for the same price of a single JL (A LOT of people paid roughly the same as I did for mine in that thread), please point me as to where, as I'll sell my JL RIGHT now! As you can never have too much WOOFAGE.
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A new PB-13 is $1698 including shipping. If you got a a new f113 for $1698, that's fantastic.


A pair of PB-13's should run about 5% less than 2X one PB-13. That is less than the list price of an f113.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojomike /forum/post/16893054


A new PB-13 is $1698 including shipping. If you got a a new f113 for $1698, that's fantastic.


A pair of PB-13's should run about 5% less than 2X one PB-13. That is less than the list price of an f113.
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But as I said earlier, who pays full retail for B&M products?


No one is arguing which is the better overall sub, at least I am not. It is clearly the PB13, but I can also admit they cater to two completely different demographics. One is big and beautiful, and the other is small and contemporary/industrial... sealed and ported... ebony, and ivory... OH, sorry about that, but the song just popped into my head.



The average street price for a 113 is anywhere from 21-2500.
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Everyone says" SVS is good for the price". I don't buy it. If everyone had the cash they would get the JL in a second. The build quality alone(ignoring any performance) is worth it. The internal electronics of the SVS looks like it was slapped together in someone's garage.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecutter /forum/post/16893260


Everyone says" SVS is good for the price". I don't buy it. If everyone had the cash they would get the JL in a second. The build quality alone(ignoring any performance) is worth it. The internal electronics of the SVS looks like it was slapped together in someone's garage.
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This makes no sense. If everyone had a budget for an Ultra, they would buy that instead of some lower priced sub. I have the cash, but I wouldn't spend that much for a Fathom. Not saying it's not worth the price, but it's more than I am willing to spend on a sub. But, yes, the Ultra is good for the price. What don't you get about that?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecutter /forum/post/16893260


Everyone says" SVS is good for the price". I don't buy it. If everyone had the cash they would get the JL in a second. The build quality alone(ignoring any performance) is worth it. The internal electronics of the SVS looks like it was slapped together in someone's garage.
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nope. if i had the cash i'd have a Seaton Submersive, or one of the Danley subs, both of which would totally destroy an F113.


i'm sure the JL is nice, but better can be had for the same (or less) money.
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MKtheater
You need to set your standards higher if the best you heard or touched is the fathom. I just auditioned and touched a much more elaborate system than even gothams.
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These SVS vs. JL threads never get old.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecutter /forum/post/16893260


Everyone says" SVS is good for the price". I don't buy it. If everyone had the cash they would get the JL in a second. The build quality alone(ignoring any performance) is worth it. The internal electronics of the SVS looks like it was slapped together in someone's garage.
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I don't think anyone's really questioning that the Jello is "nicer" in terms of fit-and-finish, and much nicer in terms of room-friendliness because it's so much smaller.


However, it's also probably true that the SVS 13" woofer, with its underhung motor and Faraday shielding, is at least as good, and probably better than, the 13W7-based Fathom driver. It's a remarkable driver, and I would love to get my hands on a pair for a sealed subwoofer. I know I have never found the Fathom a particularly good-sounding subwoofer.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcjasonb /forum/post/16893281


nope. if i had the cash i'd have a Seaton Submersive, or one of the Danley subs, both of which would totally destroy an F113.
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Your assessment is apparently accurate according to many SubMersive/Danley owners. I'm looking forward to knowing what that level of performance is like. I will know soon how the SubMersive stacks up to those two--my black oak sub is on order... can't wait.


I've owned the Ultra and had the F113 in my room, as well as in 2 buddy's places. I loved the Ultra, and it performed so closely to the JL (went lower, but not as tight in the mid-bass) that I was happy about the savings. Both are well-made, though no question that the JL is the better aesthetic piece. Still, no one could complain about the SVS unless we're dealing with size--Ron, Ed and the crew put together a seriously impressive product for the price.
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From Craigsub's subwoofer rankings thread...........>>



JL Audio Fathom 113 $3500 : 103 points

AV123 MFW-15 $599 : 103 points


And the MFW-15 is on sale for $499 , so basically you are paying $3000 (list) for that fancy looking f113.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecutter /forum/post/16893260


Everyone says" SVS is good for the price". I don't buy it. If everyone had the cash they would get the JL in a second. The build quality alone(ignoring any performance) is worth it. The internal electronics of the SVS looks like it was slapped together in someone's garage.
Click to expand...

If I wanted to spend $1600 on another sub, it would be DIY and forget all these less then perfect choices



People only buy what they understand and what others convince them to buy
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