SVS PB13 Ultra or JL audio fathom f113?

[Inertia]

I found a JL audio fathom f113 sub for $2700. If money were not an option which sub would be better for 50% ht and 50% music? The JL or an SVS PB13 Ultra? Room is roughly 2500ft3.

 

[lsiberian]

I found a JL audio fathom f113 sub for $2700. If money were not an option which sub would be better for 50% ht and 50% music? The JL or an SVS PB13 Ultra? Room is roughly 2500ft3.

The PB13 is better down low and JL Audio is better up high.

 

[Inertia]

What about a PB12-Plus matched against a JL Fathom f113?

 

[GlocksRock]

I'd go with the Ultra against the F113, and probably the F113 over the plus, but I'd take two pluses over a single F113 every time. Keep an eye on the svs outlet for good deals on subs, you may even get a discount for purchasing more than one sub, contact svs for details about that.

 

[Josuah]

I agree with the sentiment of going with two subs instead of one, within the same budget. Placing two will allow you to smooth out your bass response and give you +3dB of SPL to boot.

Personally I'm no longer satisfied with ported or passive-radiator sub designs. While they can dig low with a less expensive amp and driver, I don't like the group delay or distortion that comes with them.

 

[shadyJ]

+1 on two subs over one. Aside from smoothing in-room frequency response, it removes localization, if you place them next to each of your front mains. You can also raise the crossover without localization issues as well. Something else is I have to wonder how well the SB13 Ultra would fair against the F113. You can get two of those for the price of one F113, I can not see how that wouldn't be a more preferable system. Also multiple Hsu ULS-15 and Rythmik F15HP. Hell for $2.7k you could get a Seaton Submersive, and for just a bit more you can get a Funk Audio 18.0.

 

[cschang]

If you have $2700 to spend...and the space...

No brainer...two Rythmik FV15HP's.

 

[timoteo]

+1 for the dual FV-15HPs

FYI: SVS doesnt make an SB-13Ultra its the SB-13Plus. Just a heads up

How about this:
Dual HSU VTF-15H & Feedback Destroyer/REW = $2500

 

[lsiberian]

While the Ultra is a great sub it is also massive in size. If you plan to move on a regular basis or are using it in a living room. I suggest going with the small sealed JL Audio if your budget allows. Especially if you listen to a lot of music. The Fathom is a superb sub built properly with exceptional SPL. A ported sub will normally win the battle with a sealed sub on some extension levels, but the Fathom provides reference lvl at 20hz and is adequate for home theater. In your situation given your 50/50 with music the Fathom may actually be the better choice.

101 db uncompressed at 20hz is exceptional for a sealed sub. It even gets 96 db at 16 hz.

I'd never buy a Ultra because I move too often. Sealed subs are best for the nomads.

 

[Hocky]

I haven't heard the SVS, but I am a big fan of the JL subs - I don't think you will be disappointed. Go find one used on audiogon for about $1800 and then you're getting in cheap, too. ;-)

 

[lsiberian]

I haven't heard the SVS, but I am a big fan of the JL subs - I don't think you will be disappointed. Go find one used on audiogon for about $1800 and then you're getting in cheap, too. ;-)

Talk about markup.

 

[Josuah]

Talk about markup.

Well, perhaps not. When I bought my drivers ODM-direct I think I paid over $300 each for 15" drivers in small quantity. And that wasn't their top-of-the-line, which would have been maybe $800 back then. Add in manufacturing costs, operational costs, profit, dealer markup, and it's not unreasonable that the final product will cost a few thousand.

I'm guessing a commercial sub comparable to my DIY would be around $10k delivered to your door.

 

[Hocky]

Talk about markup.

It is what it is. I sure hope that no one pays MSRP or even close to it for the JL subs. I certainly paid nowhere near the $6000 MSRP for my F212 brand new from the dealer. I think when you get to real pricing from a good dealer, their subs are much more competitive dollar for dollar than most people think.

 

[Nuance AH]

At that price have you considered a Seaton Submersive HP or having someone build a cabinet for you to put a TC Sounds LMS 5400Ultra in? Both of those subs would slaughter in your room and would certainly satisfy your HT and music needs. Both would be sealed configurations, by the way, and would take up less of a foot print than some of those big hog ported subs, not that there's anything wrong with those subs.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Didn't I buy some JL F113's, keep them for 2 weeks, sale them and replaced them with Ultra's? I'm sure there is a thread about that on here.

The Ultra's are just as good up high or down low and in my "big room" the F113 fell apart in a hurry. They would bottom out at a level the Ultra laughs at.

You can read my sub woofer woes in the thread below but it will take you 2 days and it goes way off track a lot!!!

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/64933-dawg-crusher-killer.html

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you have $2700 to spend...and the space...

No brainer...two Rythmik FV15HP's.

All the way.

 

[annunaki]

The graphs you show are optical if a sealed (with eq) bs vented comparison. The JL 13W7 can be done in a passive radiator design that would probably outperform the Ultra when designed properly. The JL is a more capable driver just handicappedby the enclosure is all.

Didn't I buy some JL F113's, keep them for 2 weeks, sale them and replaced them with Ultra's? I'm sure there is a thread about that on here.

The Ultra's are just as good up high or down low and in my "big room" the F113 fell apart in a hurry. They would bottom out at a level the Ultra laughs at.

You can read my sub woofer woes in the thread below but it will take you 2 days and it goes way off track a lot!!!

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/64933-dawg-crusher-killer.html

 

[grey9hound]

I agree with the sentiment of going with two subs instead of one, within the same budget. Placing two will allow you to smooth out your bass response and give you +3dB of SPL to boot.

Personally I'm no longer satisfied with ported or passive-radiator sub designs. While they can dig low with a less expensive amp and driver, I don't like the group delay or distortion that comes with them.

Actually if you have A pre/pro with audyssey or ARC or something with room correction it will take care of that delay, as long as you do not change the distance setting when it comes up and shows it to be 15 feet away and it is only 10 for example .

 

[ratm]

If I had that much $$$ to spend and knew I used it for a legit 50% music, I'd start with a SubM or a Cap S1 and work my way down from there.

 

[macddmac]

Thread's a year old and there is indeed an SB Ultra now