JL Audio Fathom Series

[Method]

Anyone know/can tell me anything about this woofer? i was considering the Fathom 113. A friend of mine in the industry recommended this brand of woofer pound for pound above all else. Anyone have any thoughts? Alternative ideas?

Thx.

 

[jamie2112]

Other Avenues

It is a great sub no doubt. Are you at all into DIY projects? The Kappa perfect build here: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45528 is a great sub that pounds seriously. I built 2 of them and its amazing.With amp speaker wood and parts 2 of these come to around $650 the JL Fathom is about $3500 or so......just a thought. If money is not an issue or your sub can be black glossy then the JL is a good sub. If you want your own stain or grain of wood then DIY.

 

[lsiberian]

Anyone know/can tell me anything about this woofer? i was considering the Fathom 113. A friend of mine in the industry recommended this brand of woofer pound for pound above all else. Anyone have any thoughts? Alternative ideas?

Thx.

This subwoofer has a driver of superior quality limited by a poor enclosure.

This driver should be ported, but they sealed it. I suggest you build a JL Audio 12w7 ported if you want the same driver with better results and lower costs.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

As has been said you can get MUCH for your money, especially if you go the route of DIY. If, however, you are not inclined to build something yourself, you have offerings from ID companies that will provide you with the same or more performance for less money. Example being you could get two SVS PB13 Ultras at the retail of a single F113.

Then again, if money is no object, or you need a small sealed sub that really performs....then the F113 is an excellent choice....

 

[annunaki]

This subwoofer has a driver of superior quality limited by a poor enclosure.

This driver should be ported, but they sealed it. I suggest you build a JL Audio 12w7 ported if you want the same driver with better results and lower costs.

This driver works plenty well in a sealed enclosure. It simply requires eq to meet flat response. The quality of the enclosure is fantastic as well.

The driver has extremely low power compression and a highly linear motor, thus allowing it capable of dealing with potentially high amounts of eq. Using it sealed does compromise output when compared to vented, however, it is a superb performer in either application.

 

[Method]

I'm not going to be doing a DIY kit, and, while money is not an issue, Im not looking to spend just for spending's sake. If you guys know of a better sub for cheaper, or a better sub for the same money, Im all ears. I likely would not be doing the 2-sub thing, as I could hear my lady now all up in my ear nagging when she sees me pull out two of the same...

 

[AVRat]

You may also consider the SVS PB13-Ultra then.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'll cast another vote for the Pb13-Ultra, it's a beast, and every bit as good as the Fathom 113, only larger and heavier, but at around half the price, it's the best thing out there for it's price range. But if you have a bit of extra money to blow, check out the Definitive Technology Trinity Signature sub.

 

[Method]

SuperCube® Trinity is only listed @ $2,900. I thought you mentioned it being pricier than the JL.

 

[GlocksRock]

If you want to spend more, feel free to donate some money to me... The Trinity is more than the Ultra, not the JL Fathom... but for the amount extra that it costs, I would rather get the ultra, even if it isn't capable of quite as much output.

 

[Method]

Ahhh. Understood. Thx.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Here we go again.

From CraigSub:

http://www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11

Elemental Designs A7-900 ($2200 ID/SI): 116 points (63-53)
Epik Conquest ($1599 ID): 112 points (60-52)
SVS PB13-Ultra ($1599 ID): 109 points (57-52)
Epik Castle ($999 ID): 109 points (59-50)
AV123 MFW-15 Duals: 109 points (56-53) (note, duals were tested as duals are offered as a package) **due to amp failure issues, this rating is under advisement. The purchaser may find him/her self needing a replacement amp. This is being done at no charge to the consumer, but it is something which should be noted by potential purchasers**
Creative Sounds Dual SDX-15 driver + Behringer EP-2500 Amp + Behringer DEQ2496 ($1630 ID): 105 points (57-48)
JL Audio Fathom 113 ($3500 BM): 103 points (53-50)

 

[Warpdrv]

Anyone know/can tell me anything about this woofer? i was considering the Fathom 113. A friend of mine in the industry recommended this brand of woofer pound for pound above all else. Anyone have any thoughts? Alternative ideas?

Thx.

How about we ask some questions to help you out here....

What are your goals for a subwoofer?
Room size?
Associated equipment? (speakers/other components)

1 major question - how much is looks and size an importance?

The F113 is an amazing sub, very clean and powerful, but obviously comes at a pretty high price.

I own an F112 and a number of DIY subs that are equal to the output and SQ of either the F112 or F113. If I was on the market to buy a sub and wouldn't be going DIY I would be looking extremely hard at a Mark Seaton - Submersive before any and all other suggestions..... this is an incredibly musical subwoofer, and pretty much one of the best subs available IMO.

Here's the short list of what makes a SubMersive:
* Dual, custom designed, 15" drivers with 3" diameter voice coils
* A sealed enlcosure built from very strong and rigid Baltic Birch Plywood
* Drivers on opposing faces for a completely inert, stablized cabinet that won't walk, shake or quiver.
* A robust, high efficiency, 1,000W ICEpower based amplifier with SMPS power supply.
* Isolated balanced input eliminating common ground loop problems
* Cabinet dimensions: 24.25" W x 17.5" D x 25.5" H
* Frequency response: +/-3dB 18-200Hz - outdoor ground plane

The benefits of such a design is it truly eliminates all shaking and vibration, although a touch larger in size, the SQ and output are downright incredible. If I hadn't went the DIY route I would have bought all my subs from Mark. He came to my house recently and we spent some time listening to my subs and discussing audio and bass.... He was impressed with my setup, but after hearing myself first hand a number of his products at a recent GTG, I have absolutely no qualms in suggesting his downright amazingly well thought out and heavy performing products... There is actually a video of a quarter stood on end while the sub is in full play and doesnt move. The Submersive does upperbass much better then the F113.... the F112 also by JL Audio's own admission does better upper bass then the F113. This ability will allow much better blending with your mains what ever they may be.

Read this thread, a very good comparison of related products... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16362190#post16362190

You can find more info about the Submersive at Mark Seatons website http://seatonsound.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=1945927

 

[Method]

I have a pair of Focal Electra 1037 Be floor standers, an Electra Be CC, and am probably going to get a pair of the Electra SR1000 S surround speakers. I have a 60" Pioneer Elite Pro 720p plasma. I have a Yamaha RX2600 receiver.

To be honest, not sure the exact dimension of the room, because I just bought the place and am not in there yet. It's a rectangular living/dining area w an open kitchen at one end. The TV will be mounted towards the end of one of the side (long walls). I'd say the room is probably around 15' wide X 25-30' long (but that is a pure spit ball).

 

[Method]

Oh, and by the way, looks/size are pretty important.

 

[GlocksRock]

http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/subwoofer-signature-signaturesub25-model-5-17-4-20.paradigm

 

[jostenmeat]

Anyone know/can tell me anything about this woofer? i was considering the Fathom 113. A friend of mine in the industry recommended this brand of woofer pound for pound above all else. Anyone have any thoughts? Alternative ideas?

Thx.

While it's not the best subwoofer "pound for pound", nor "dollar for dollar", it is the best subwoofer "cubic inch for cubic inch".

The PB 13 is 195% the size of the F113, or 249% the size of the F112

To be honest, not sure the exact dimension of the room, because I just bought the place and am not in there yet. It's a rectangular living/dining area w an open kitchen at one end. The TV will be mounted towards the end of one of the side (long walls). I'd say the room is probably around 15' wide X 25-30' long (but that is a pure spit ball).

I would greatly reconsider TV placement. Symmetrical setup is quite desirable for audio. You can do what you can do, but I would go visit and think about it.

Warp mentions upper bass, and I think it's something that gets overlooked often in the search for the lowest hertz of extension. The F112 does indeed maintain linearity much further up than the F113. What the latter gets you is both greater efficiency and power (1000w difference).

 

[Warpdrv]

In my experience, a pair of F112's will be far better in performance then a single F113.... For movies, when I heard quad F113's - I was blown away, but the mains in that room had great upperbass performance so the difference was negligible IMO...

Method, you have some incredible speaker, that perform fantasically...

I think an F113 would be a great addition to your setup, though a pair would be even better, which you can likely swing down the road...

Keep in mind you have to pressurize the entire added up space here... If you are looking for heavy impact, duals would be the way to go...

That is a pretty good size space, the Submersives are $2K each and will really blow you away... they are not huge by looking at the footprint I posted, and Mark is looking into a Piano Black finish, but keep in mind that he is willing to do anything you like, If you want a naked sub that you can have finished to match your Focals - by someone locally - he would be happy to work with you... in the end you are footing the bill, and he'll do what ever you want...

Honestly, had I known about his products before I had started this endeavor in to SQ and HT I'd gone with his stuff, but I had so much fun learning and building my own products it was worth it for me.

Paradigm makes some beautiful products, and the new Sub25 is getting good reviews, but there is better SQ and bang for the buck compared to their prices.

If size and SQ is as important as you say, the F113 is a fantastic sub, and you wouldn't be disappointed by any stretch.... JL's products are above and beyond extravagant and extremely powerful for their size.... I love my F112, it is plain wicked...

 

[Method]

Im definitely interested, and I emailed Marke earlier today after reading your first post. I thought I read they were more expensive, but I think Im confusing that w the Paradigm. I cant have something too big, and, unfortunately, I cant reconsider TV placement because the end opposite the open kitchen has a small (4) flight of stairs leading up to a small rec room and office. So i have to mount the TV on one end of one of the long walls.

Would you go one f113? Or two f112's. I saw a couple of f113's, brand new, on EBay today for ~$2,800.

Anyway, I am open to all insight, and appreciate everyone that has chimed in. I love this fkn place for insight.

I guess im looking for the best p4p sub I can get, smallest size but best quality.

 

[Warpdrv]

Honestly, were really starting split hairs at this point...

Any of those subs would be killer and have been fawned over many times, I don't think you could make a mistake in the direction your going....

Good luck in your journey to get a great sub...