As a teaser, I took all my 1 meter sinewave sweep tests for the UL12 and 3 other subs I recently reviewed and compared the data in tabulated form. Please note these are NOT max discrete SPL#'s like CEA2010 testing produces. Instead these are continuous fullbandwidth power sweeps that test for compression and max output at and below where the product runs out of gas or purposely limits.
F(Hz) | Emo UL12 | JL f110 | Axiom EP400 | Aperion 10D
20 91dB 97dB 93dB 82dB
25 98dB 104dB 97dB 87dB
30 103dB 106dB 100dB 93dB
40 108dB 108dB 102dB 102dB
50 112dB 107dB 102dB 105dB
60 114dB 106dB 101dB 107dB
80 111dB 104dB 101dB 108dB
100 110dB 101dB 101dB 108dB
Note: None of the SPL data tabulated or represented in sweeps have been re-scaled to account for the apparent doubling of output produced by the 2nd, virtual image of the sub that the mic sees via groundplane measurements. If you want to know the true 1 meter 4pi SPL output for each sub, simply subtract 6dB from my measurements.
As you can see in this comparative table of measurements, the Emotiva UL12 dominates SPL above 50Hz with a 4dB advantage over the JL f110 and a whopping 10dB advantage over the Axiom EP400. The Axiom is clearly tuned for low extension which of course kills system efficiency and hence lowers the available output in the higher usable band of the subwoofer. Because of its small driver compared to the 12" Emotiva driver, it doesn't really yield any output advantage over the Emotiva below 25Hz. In fact, the Axiom's brickwall filter eliminates frequencies below 20Hz so one could arguably say the Emotiva UL12 still provides more usable low frequency bass extension than the Axiom EP400. It is noteworthy to mention that Axiom did an incredible job of getting so much usable low end extension from such a small driver and their clever DSP kept the frequency response of their sub more linear than any of the others in this comparison at low output levels before the limiter kicked in.
The JL f110 stomps all of the other subs in this comparison below 30Hz with a whopping 6dB over the Emotiva, but at five times the cost, one should expect this. The JL f110 also has the largest dimensional box volume and bigger is almost always better in terms of low frequency extension. The JL f110 is at an output disadvantage over the Emotiva above 50Hz as previously stated partly because the driver has such a massive voice coil that its own inductance is its worst enemy. That being said, it's still the mightiest sub we've tested for its box size.
The Aperion Bravus 10D isn't even competitive below 40Hz with any of the other subs in this comparison. Having dual active 10" drivers in such a small enclosure greatly diminished usable extension in this product. Since our review, Aperion has redesigned this product (Bravus II 10D) with a single active and dual 10" passive radiators which we have yet to test but eager to do so.
Looking closer at the comparative results here, the Emotiva UL12 is in my opinion the best of the four subs for blending into a system consisting of small satellite speakers. If space weren't an issue, I would also take four UL12's over a single JL f110 or two Axiom EP400s any day of the week not just for their collective higher output capabilities but for the advantages that multiple subs offer when properly placed in a room yielding smoother more consistent frequency response for every listening seat. The very fact that the UL12 is competitive with three higher priced, higher profile products, speaks volumes for just how good this "Budget" subwoofer is. If I were SVS, I'd be worrying should Emotiva one day decide to make a larger, high output subwoofer.
more to come in the formal product review!
