Need Help Choosing between Captivator S2 or Submersive with Slave Option

I have nothing but positive things to say about either the Seaton Submersive or JTR Captivator S2, but a S2 is obviously going to have more output than a single Submersive HP unless you do the slave option and run two of them. Having heard both on many occassions.


Both are excellent subs, and most would be happy with either option. I do think either would be better than what you have.


However. Lets take what you have said you are unhappy with and discuss further. The JL Fathom 113 is not a slouch. It is about the equivalent of a SVS SB13 Ultra which is also not a slouch. The amount of 'headroom' you gain by going to something like a single Seaton Submersive HP may not make you satisified. Perhaps, even a single S2 may not suit you for home theater use. You find many guys around here going with four or eight 18" sealed subwoofers for movie use. I've found that even four SI 18" sealed subwoofers don't have the real world output of my two JTR ported captivators when I tried carp's in my room. In the ULF thread it says I'd need six 18" budget oriented subwoofers to have the same output....that's been pretty accurate according to my experience.


If you are 90% home theater - perhaps a pair of ported or horn subs are more up your alley. They have nearly double the output around 15-20hz tune as a single sealed counterpart. In movie use unless you do several sealed subs --- your experience is probably typical - in that you might desire more output. I have a couple ported JTR Captivators that I am very pleased with - even after 2.5 years of ownership.They would have SIGNIFICANTLY more output than a single Seaton Submersive, or a single S2 at about 17-25hz which is where your single sealed Fathom 113 is probably failing to meet your expectations. Just food for thought.


I'm a big fan of at least two subs for room frequency response smoothing, and I'm a big fan of ported or horn for movie use. If you are going to go big sealed - you'll want multiples - two F113's might not be enough. If you are going to go big 18" ported (with a quality sub) - two will likely do quite well in that size room. My room is about 3500 cubic foot for reference.

http://jtrspeakers.com/home-audio/captivator/



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dk3y  /t/1517089/need-help-choosing-between-captivator-s2-or-submersive-with-slave-option#post_24340539


Thanks for your input. Originally, my audiophile friend talked me into buying the fathom and told me that it was the best sub I can get for my budget. Unfortunately, neither of us were impressed by the outcome when we watched U571 and Master and Commander. He suggested I get another fathom but this time I don't think I would follow his advice.


I was actually thinking of adding Captivator S2 and incorporating with my fathom. Do you think this is a bad idea?

Click to expand...

IMO, integrating a much more powerful sub with a less powerful sub is somewhat problematic. I would be concerned that the limits of the less powerful sub would become the limits of the "system." If you have concerns now about the limitations of the F113, you may not solve that problem by adding a S2. You might end up with the S2 being limited to the max SPL and extension of the F113. In addition, if you calibrate them at equal levels, they'll each be turned down by 3 to 6 dB from where they would be if used alone. The F113 has a limiter below 19 Hz. The S2 does not. If you are turning the S2 down by 3 to 6 dB, you're turning down that content in the lowest registers, and it would not be made up by the F113.


Overall, I would suggest you use the S2 by itself, or perform an integration of the F113 similar to the Geddes approach, where the less powerful sub is set to a lower level and just used for FR smoothing: http://mehlau.net/audio/multisub_geddes/ You'll need measurement gear to make that work.


Craig

Archaea: Finish is not important at all even though my studio 100 and fathom have nice piano black finishes. My only concern is that I was told that if I were to add another sub, it would have to be the same sub. Is that true? I know they fathom and S2 are both sealed. Would that matter?


CraigJohn: I wish I had read your thread prior to my purchase. I'm just too lazy to go ahead and sell my fathom for two submersives. It's too damn heavy!


BeeMan: my space is about 4100 cubic feet with a hallway that leads to upstairs. I am using ARO that comes with fathom for room correction. I have been using an old lexicon processor with logic 7. My place was prewired when I bought it but unfortunately did not have HDMI connection to the ceiling for projector. Therefore, I am using components but surprisingly getting a great resolution. Even my audiophile friend who has 5k Runco was impressed. I guess at some point I would need to upgrade my processor but then somehow I have to figure out wiring the hdmi connection to the ceiling without destroying the dry wall.

The reason I recommend doing AVR and blu-ray player is for XT32/SubEQ HT and the additional dynamics a better player brings to the party.


If buying a Denon AVR4520CI, you can sell the two Amps.


"It has about all the features you could ask for in a receiver/processor and ample power to accommodate most any speaker system. I initially intended on reviewing it and then selling it, but instead I have already sold my Onkyo 5508, XPA-3 amp and XPA-1 monoblocks. I keep thinking to myself that the 4520 seems to be a little on the pricey side, but if you consider what any other processor with the same features would cost you and then add the expense of amplification, the 4520 price actually sounds like a bargain. I think the most surprising part of my experience with the 4520 has been its ability to drive my MartinLogan speakers effortlessly. I had almost given up on ever trying receiver power because I have always read and heard that the Prodigy’s pretty much needed at least 300 watts of good clean power to perform their best. I will have to disagree with the naysayers, as I find it hard to get any better than what it is right now with the 4520 the only power amp source in my system."


Again, IMO, sell all the old gear, buy "matching" Denon 4520/blu-ray player and later sell the F 113, then upgrade to a pair of JTR S2s.


(I went with the 4520, a DBT-3313UDCI blu-ray player and two Rythmik FV15HPs. The point, I put my money where my mouth was and I'm loving the taste.)


Or, you can buy the S2, have the old gear and not be able to EQ the pair of subwoofers with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 w/SubEQ HT.


...


If you call around, you may be able to find a package deal.


The Marantz SR5007 is now in a box, in the garage as a back-up and we gave the old subs to a local church that does a lot of good with homeless and those without means for food.


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