SVS PB13-Ultra or JL audio Fathom

[Inertia]

For SQ what would be better? The PB13-Ultra or the JL Audio 13" Fathom? For 95% HT and 5% music.

 

[Matt34]

For SQ what would be better? The PB13-Ultra or the JL Audio 13" Fathom? For 95% HT and 5% music.

If size isn't a factor and movies are your priority the PB13 is probably your best bet...especially for the money you save. Now if this was for a critical listening two channel setup and price no object thing, the JL would be my choice.

 

[EJ1]

Good question. According to craigsub, the SVS edged out the Fathom.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=9164136&postcount=8

 

[GlocksRock]

I would bet the JL has better sound quality, but you probably wouldn't really notice a difference. Just save your money and get the SVS, not to mention SVS has outstanding customer service, althought JL has been good to me, at least with their mobile audio products.

 

[EJ1]

Plus, you could have dual SVS's for the price of a Fathom.

 

[GlocksRock]

Very true... I would love to have dual Ultra's... hopefully they will be coming out with a new Ultra/2. But I would really love to have dual JL Gothams, but then my neighbors would want to shoot me.

 

[jamie2112]

Plus, you could have dual SVS's for the price of a Fathom.

2 is always better than 1 in most instances......

 

[Midcow2]

Both Nice ! How big is your room ?

For SQ what would be better? The PB13-Ultra or the JL Audio 13" Fathom? For 95% HT and 5% music.

I
I think both are very good choices. The SVS would cost less and I can speak form experience SVS provides great customer service.

I am curious, how big is you room? I just bought and installed the one step smaller SVS in a medium to large room ( about 20 x 20) that opens into other areas on two sides. The SVS PB12-Plus and it sounds very,very good in that size room. The actual listening area is about 12 x 15.

Good LUck!

MidCow2

 

[annunaki]

If DIY is an option, you can do the Gotham F113 for the price of the Ultra or less.

Behringer DCX2496 - $300

Behringer EP2500 - $260 (zzounds)

JL Audio 13W7 - $500-$700 online

Enclosure materials - $100-$200 max

If you vent this enclosure, you will easily exceed the performance of either setup.

 

[EJ1]

If DIY is an option, you can do the Gotham F113 for the price of the Ultra or less.

Behringer DCX2496 - $300

Behringer EP2500 - $260 (zzounds)

JL Audio 13W7 - $500-$700 online

Enclosure materials - $100-$200 max

If you vent this enclosure, you will easily exceed the performance of either setup.

Good suggestion. www.klausaudio.com builds enclosures if needed.

 

[jostenmeat]

If size isn't a factor and movies are your priority the PB13 is probably your best bet...especially for the money you save. Now if this was for a critical listening two channel setup and price no object thing, the JL would be my choice.

+1 exactly. I definitely vote for the SVS if size is a non-issue, seeing that this is almost only for HT.

Plus, you could have dual SVS's for the price of a Fathom.

I see this typed a lot, but I think its misleading; JL doesn't apply price protection, AFAIK. I've had my Fathom for about close to two years, and I got it for under $2.5k all-in, taxes, etc. When SVS was charging shipping the price was actually more similar than not; in any case, not on the order of double. More like a 30% increase of price after SVS shipping. Well, they're not charging shipping now!

If the PB13 actually existed during the time of my purchase, I might've opted for that anyways. Hard to say. If I chose today, the chances are extremely high that I go SVS.

But what's cool is the finish and size, besides the performance. I had a full house last night for the Dark Knight. The whole place was shaking. I had three people over for the first time, and they had to ask me where the heck my sub was, as they didn't see it. (Unassumingly next to my audio rack on the side wall, in front of viewers, but behind rack so to speak). Very high WAF, and half the cabinet volume of the SVS.

Of course, if I had the DIY skill set, and knowledge base of some folks here, Id be building one instead!!!!

 

[EJ1]

I've had my Fathom for about close to two years, and I got it for under $2.5k all-in, taxes, etc.

Well, then you got a good deal because that's about the going price for a used F113.

 

[annunaki]

Good suggestion. www.klausaudio.com builds enclosures if needed.

I would hope they would actually build a better enclosure than the pictures. There is no bracing in that enclosure. The W7 is a very potent machine and will need an enclosure up to the task. I have seen W7's rip enclosures apart at the seams due to panel flexing for lack of bracing. Check out my thread(s)here and here for a properly braced enclosure suitable for a W7.

 

[EJ1]

I would hope they would actually build a better enclosure than the pictures. There is no bracing in that enclosure. The W7 is a very potent machine and will need an enclosure up to the task. I have seen W7's rip enclosures apart at the seams due to panel flexing for lack of bracing. Check out my thread(s)here and here for a properly braced enclosure suitable for a W7.

Awesome! That's some serious bracing!

 

[Inertia]

Thanks guys I think I will go with the SVS. My room is about 15x22x8

 

[rmk]

Thanks guys I think I will go with the SVS. My room is about 15x22x8

I have heard both subs in my home and they are very close in performance. As I recall the consensus of the six guys who heard them was the JL was preferred for music with the SVS having a slight edge for HT.

I'm sure you will be happy with your decision.

 

[WmAx]

I would hope they would actually build a better enclosure than the pictures. There is no bracing in that enclosure. The W7 is a very potent machine and will need an enclosure up to the task. I have seen W7's rip enclosures apart at the seams due to panel flexing for lack of bracing. Check out my thread(s)here and here for a properly braced enclosure suitable for a W7.

To be fair, you don't that level of bracing for general home use, where the average output level is far lower as compared to car audio where people like to run the subs full blast continuously. Also, if one uses high grade hardwood ply instead of MDF; the ply is far stronger/more durable and requires far less bracing as compared to the MDF to get an equivalent strength box.

-Chris

 

[nasd90]

"pass that..." I state, as you exhale...


You can build a nice W7 in a box... but it's not a Fathom folks.

I'm not going to even start on this one... Some google will do this misinformation well.

My advice to the thread originator... Spend the money, get the Fathom, it's wickedly delicious.

nasd90

 

[Matt34]

"pass that..." I state, as you exhale...


You can build a nice W7 in a box... but it's not a Fathom folks.

I'm not going to even start on this one... Some google will do this misinformation well.

My advice to the thread originator... Spend the money, get the Fathom, it's wickedly delicious.

nasd90

I'm sure annunaki and WmAx are well aware of the differences in the drivers used in the Fathom as compared to the 13W7 offered for individual sale. That being said you can still get the performance of a new Fathom for a 1/4 of the price by going DIY.

 

[nasd90]

ah, good... you were able to get some of that before it went out too.

nasd90