Funk Audio 18.0 Sealed Subwoofer Review

Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
Appreciate the thoughts Josh.

I understand a single sub will typically have trouble delivering linear response in a real room (in my own case, I consider myself lucky to achieve about a 10dB window from 20Hz-100Hz with minimal EQ @ the listening position), and that the room is difficult to predict. Of course I'd opine you're making the case for multiple subs rather than a single uber-sub that you'd EQ flat at the listening position.
 
Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
You're absolutely right - two Ultras is more than enough. Heck, one was enough. :) The second one was a good deal, though, and it helps smooth out the response across my different sitting positions.
I actually would consider a similar setup some day. I've got a few spots in mind that I'd reckon would help provide some smoothing of response, but I don't exactly have space for another gigantic sub.

An 18" sub would be awesome, but I don't know where I'd put it (shut up, Steve :D).
I'm not sure what you're trying to imply :p
 
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3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I'll have to read the detailed review but I could not help but laugh at the introduction as I never thought a box holding an 18" driver could be called compact. I'm sure the size reference was in context to other subs who are physically bigger. It just caught me off guard is all. :p . Looking forward to reading the details but I have to make supper now. :)
 
Ricci

Ricci

Bassaholic
Appreciate the thoughts Josh.

I understand a single sub will typically have trouble delivering linear response in a real room (in my own case, I consider myself lucky to achieve about a 10dB window from 20Hz-100Hz with minimal EQ @ the listening position), and that the room is difficult to predict. Of course I'd opine you're making the case for multiple subs rather than a single uber-sub that you'd EQ flat at the listening position.
I make the case for multiple Uber subs...;) I haven't used a single of anything in so many years now...Unless you are very lucky multiples still require some "help" in the form of room treatment or signal manipulation to combat the room.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
There is almost always going to be a better subwoofer out in the world than whatever it is that one owns. However, there comes a point when an improvement is trivial, particularly for the cost. Unless you have a huge room, I imagine that 2 SVS Ultra subwoofers are perfectly adequate. I personally use two of their old 12" Ultras (twin CS-Ultra subwoofers), and I have no intention of ever upgrading. Anything better is not going to be worth the cost to me. Of course, if I move and then have a bigger room, I might change my mind, but I do not expect to ever have a larger home theater than I have at present.

In this case, given that the Funk Audio 18.0 subwoofer costs almost as much as both of your SVS subwoofers combined, if it is not much better than one of yours, it is a very bad value.

Before upgrading subwoofers, I would be looking at new main speakers if I were you, not that I think there is anything particularly wrong with what you have.
I think for many people 2 Rythmik FV15HP ($1400 delivered each) would be overkill. I think it's almost the same with amp overkill. Sometimes it's not just about "need".

CEA @ .................10.0/12.5/16.0/ 20.0 / 25.0/ 31.5/ 40.0 / 50.0 / 63.0 / 80.0/100.0/125Hz:
Funk 18.0: ..........91.9/95.5/99.2/103.6/108.8/114.9/119.9/121.4/121.9/121.7/121.6/121.6
Paradigm Sub2: ...94.7/98.2/102.6/106.4/109.9/113.2/116.9/120.2/122.5/123/122.1/120.3
Velodyne DD18+: .86.1/92.5/98.9/103.6/108.2/112.9/115.3/116.3/115.1/113.4/112/110.6
SVS PB13Ultra: ...........N/N/97.4/110.6/113.5/115.5/117.5/117.8/116.6/115.3/114.4/114.1
Rythmik FV15HP: ............N/N/N/107.5/113.0/117.8/120.0/119.9/119.7/N/N/N
 
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lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
I make the case for multiple Uber subs...;) I haven't used a single of anything in so many years now...Unless you are very lucky multiples still require some "help" in the form of room treatment or signal manipulation to combat the room.
Whatever happened to the man with the subwoofer wall. I remember he had to reinforce his house to handle the response and his family was not to thrilled about it. But apparently explosions were actually real in that theater room.
 
F

funky waves

Junior Audioholic
For those who want similar overall performance to the 18.0 for significantly less money, we also have our 18.1, it has a db or 2 more output 16-25hz, a db or so little less 30-60hz, and roughly equal above 60hz. The only drawbacks is that being a ported design it has no useful output below ~15hz, and it is a little larger, and not as nice looking.

Also there is our 18.0C that offers overall about half the output of the 18.0 under 60hz(they are actually near equal above that), for about half the money(FYI we do offer discounts on pairs), so for nearly the same cost you can get roughly the same overall performance split in two. However even though it is smaller than the 18.0 two of them do add up to a larger overall space.

Then there is the 18.3 that for only slightly more cost than the 18.0 gives you ~6db more output 13~30hz(in the lowest tuning mode, in the highest tuning mode it offers up to 9db more output than the 18.0, at 20-25hz, at the loss of output under 18hz).

Also all things considered raw output is not always the end game when considering what you get for your money, what all our subwoofers are primarily designed to excel at is low distortion(specifically the more objectionable high order distortion(s), that are especially noticeable in the upper range of a subwoofers use. This facilitates better and easier integration with high end speakers), high upper range efficiency, and low compression, which in combination with solid output capability offer the best sound quality and dynamics possible, at often more than satisfying output levels.
 
Irvrobinson

Irvrobinson

Audioholic Spartan
Then there is the 18.3 that for only slightly more cost than the 18.0 gives you ~6db more output 13~30hz(in the lowest tuning mode, in the highest tuning mode it offers up to 9db more output than the 18.0, at 20-25hz, at the loss of output under 18hz).
As I've mentioned, the 18.3 would be my choice, if I was in the market, but I don't consider 31% to be "slightly more cost", for comparable curved-sided cabinetry. :)
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Wow, I'm impressed. If I could just win a lottery. Oh well. I'll just dream on :)
 
F

funky waves

Junior Audioholic
Wow, I'm impressed. If I could just win a lottery. Oh well. I'll just dream on :)
Maybe you wont need to,:cool: We are offering a special edition 18.0 for the next two months, for those that don't "need" the curved sided veneered enclosure, at a crazy discount. They will have the exact same performance in what will still be a nice looking enclosure, a basic cube shape 20"x20"x20" with a 3/4" radius on all corners, with a red or black stained Birch finish.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I think for many people 2 Rythmik FV15HP ($1400 delivered each) would be overkill. I think it's almost the same with amp overkill. Sometimes it's not just about "need".

CEA @ .................10.0/12.5/16.0/ 20.0 / 25.0/ 31.5/ 40.0 / 50.0 / 63.0 / 80.0/100.0/125Hz:
Funk 18.0: ..........91.9/95.5/99.2/103.6/108.8/114.9/119.9/121.4/121.9/121.7/121.6/121.6
Paradigm Sub2: ...94.7/98.2/102.6/106.4/109.9/113.2/116.9/120.2/122.5/123/122.1/120.3
Velodyne DD18+: .86.1/92.5/98.9/103.6/108.2/112.9/115.3/116.3/115.1/113.4/112/110.6
SVS PB13Ultra: ...........N/N/97.4/110.6/113.5/115.5/117.5/117.8/116.6/115.3/114.4/114.1
Rythmik FV15HP: ............N/N/N/107.5/113.0/117.8/120.0/119.9/119.7/N/N/N
Just goes to show you how powerful the Sub 2 is. It truly is a monster.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Just goes to show you how powerful the Sub 2 is. It truly is a monster.
It is. But it's $9K. :D

The Funk 18.0 does better from 31Hz and up and the much cheaper Rythmik FV15HP does about as well as the Sub2 from 31Hz and up.
 
haraldo

haraldo

Audioholic Spartan
I don't understand the point of what's being discussed here
Music is not about playing the loudest possible, it's about making a magic moment, pleasure, make you feel good......
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
It is. But it's $9K. :D

The Funk 18.0 does better from 31Hz and up and the much cheaper Rythmik FV15HP does about as well as the Sub2 from 31Hz and up.

More useable bandwidth on the Sub 2 and its a real bargain at 9K compared to Wilson Audio's Thor at $21K :D
 
haraldo

haraldo

Audioholic Spartan
More useable bandwidth on the Sub 2 and its a real bargain at 9K compared to Wilson Audio's Thor at $21K :D
Any sub is a bargain compared to Wilson Audio's Thor's Hammer
 
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3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Any sub is a bargain compared to Wilson Audio's Thor's Hammer
Yeah I don't get how Wilson can ask this much for an underachieving unit.
 
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its phillip

its phillip

Audioholic Ninja
Then just get two FW 18.0. Cheaper and significantly more output than the sub2 :)
 
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