JL F212 to dual SVS PB13 Ultra

[Hocky]

Any thoughts on swapping out my 212 for a pair of ultras? Will I be happy with the performance? To be honest, a ported sub scares me because I want very clean, very low output, but I have seen nothing but rave reviews. Any other better options to consider around $4000-5000?

 

[fuzz092888]

I think the obvious option would be something from funk audio. You can either buy one of their monsters, preorder their dual opposed, or ask them for a custom option and they will build you whatever you want that will exactly meet your needs. With a budget like that I'd shoot Nathan an e-mail explaining what you have, what you're looking for, and detailing your room and system. I highly doubt you'd be let down by both the process and final result.

 

[Hocky]

Yea, that is a fair point. I am not sure about their customer service, though, and that is why I am leaving JL.

So, 1 18.3 or 2 Ultras?

 

[fuzz092888]

Yea, that is a fair point. I am not sure about their customer service, though, and that is why I am leaving JL.

So, 1 18.3 or 2 Ultras?

Based on the way the 18.0 measures vs the Ultra, I'd probably take the 18.3.

I've only heard excellent things about funk customer service and the only times I've e-mailed them I've gotten responses directly from Nathan.

Don't forget the 18.2.

 

[jcl]

The Seaton Submersive and the JTR Captivator Sealed have garnered some good reviews by users and might be worth considering. The Seatons have nice finishes but I think the JTRs are pretty utilitarian.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I don't know which sub(s) would be/sound better but remember that the PB13 ultra has tunable porting. You can plug one or all three ports, change a setting on the amp and have 20hz, 15hz, 10hz or sealed tuning.

 

[Steve81]

Based on the way the 18.0 measures vs the Ultra, I'd probably take the 18.3.

I've only heard excellent things about funk customer service and the only times I've e-mailed them I've gotten responses directly from Nathan.

Don't forget the 18.2.

On the Funk side, you can also pick up a pair of 18.0s "special editions" for $2,550 a pop. Same performance as the standard version, but it features a regular 20" cube enclosure versus the nice curved side enclosure.

Regarding SVS vs JL, there were a number of comparos years back of the SVS PB13U vs the JL F113 one on one where sound quality was noted to be fairly close. One thing I would note though: even a single PB13U has a considerably larger footprint than your f212 at roughly 20.5" W x ~30" D vs ~15"W x 20.5"D. A pair will take up considerable floorspace.

 

[Hocky]

I don't care about the floor space much, just want to have legit clean, high output. It is in a large room, something like 6000 cubic feet. The single 212 has no problem pressurizing that space with its internal gain at 25% or less.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

One thing that might be worth considering: Do you have two locations where you could really capitalize on non colocated subs? If you only have one really good sub location available, then this may point to one monster sub vs duals. I've been happy with my SVS SB13 and the customer service that has followed, but I can't compare to the other subs in question.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

Also, the JL appears to be $6300? Perhaps quad PB13s at $8000-10% off=$7200 would be a better comparison.

 

[Steve81]

I don't care about the floor space much, just want to have legit clean, high output.

Well the PB13 certainly does those things as the measurements here bear out.

It is in a large room, something like 6000 cubic feet.

In that case, I'd probably stick with the PB13 or alternatives like the Rythmik FV15HP and Funk 18.1/18.3 versus a sealed system to maximize output down low.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

CEA Standard (THD <10%, 2 Meters) SPL @ 20/32/40/50/60 Hz:<O</O

JL Audio F112:.... 92.8/112.4/116.2/113.3/117.6
SVS PB13 Ultra: 110.6/113.5/115.5/117.5/117.8
<O</O
So the F212 would output even more than the F112, and dual F212 even more.

I would not change a thing if I were you. Just keep the F212 and be happy.

 

[Irvrobinson]

CEA Standard (THD <10%, 2 Meters) SPL @ 20/32/40/50/60 Hz:<o</o

JL Audio F112:.... 92.8/112.4/116.2/113.3/117.6
SVS PB13 Ultra: 110.6/113.5/115.5/117.5/117.8
<o</o
So the F212 would output even more than the F112, and dual F212 even more.

I would not change a thing if I were you. Just keep the F212 and be happy.

I was thinking the same thing. The 212 is one heck of a sub, why swap it out?

 

[Steve81]

CEA Standard (THD <10%, 2 Meters) SPL @ 20/32/40/50/60 Hz:<o</o

Not sure where your numbers came from, but this is what I've got:

	20Hz	25Hz	32Hz	40Hz	50Hz	63Hz	80Hz
PB13U (Ricci, Sledge)	110.6	113.5	115.5	117.5	117.8	116.6	115.3
PB13U (Ilkka, BASH)	108.5	112.4	115.8	116.9	115.8	114.7	113.5
JL f113 (Ilkka)	101.3	105.5	109.8	114	116.5	116.9	116.2

<tbody>
</tbody>

Versus the f113 (not the f112), the PB13 has a substantial advantage from 32Hz on down. In a 6000 cubic foot room, assuming there's not a lot of low end gain, that may well come in handy.

 

[Hocky]

I was thinking the same thing. The 212 is one heck of a sub, why swap it out?

I will wait until things get resolved before spilling the whole story, but let's just say it gets quite expensive to ship it back every 15 minutes.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I will wait until things get resolved before spilling the whole story, but let's just say it gets quite expensive to ship it back every 15 minutes.

All right, I get it.

If you have the space the Ultras are the cheap way to get Hz and db at low distortion levels. If I were in the market today I would be ordering the Funk 18.3.

I wouldn't worry about ported versus sealed affecting sound quality.

Are you using the auto EQ function in the 212? If you are, you'll need to consider how you'll replace that. The Funks have much more sophisticated EQ capabilities than the SVS.

 

[Hocky]

All right, I get it.

If you have the space the Ultras are the cheap way to get Hz and db at low distortion levels. If I were in the market today I would be ordering the Funk 18.3.

I wouldn't worry about ported versus sealed affecting sound quality.

Are you using the auto EQ function in the 212? If you are, you'll need to consider how you'll replace that. The Funks have much more sophisticated EQ capabilities than the SVS.

The EQ function on the 212 is poor at best. I have SubEQ, either way. I like the idea of the 18.3, but I feel like I will end up with exactly what I have performance wise, but from an even smaller company who may or may not be able to properly support their product.

 

[its phillip]

If the JL F212 has the same performance as a stacked pair of F112s, the FW 18.3 should have significantly more output (if it is anything like a stacked pair of 18.0).

 

[Adam]

Regarding customer service, I've been really happy with SVS in general, so I can understand why you'd be considering them if you want some confidence that you'll be treated well. I've also had virtually no problems with my two subs from them. I got my PC13-Ultra in 2007 when they first starting shipping the new design, and they had some amp issues that they took care of. I haven't had any problems with my SB13-Ultra.

I wanted to suggest considering one or two SB13-Ultras. I'm not a sub expert and don't know how they'd compare to the 212...but that's what these other folks are for. I did a review of the SB13-U and compared it against the PC13-U, and IMO, they perform very similarly. At least at my listening levels, which aren't extreme. I was really impressed by how good the SB13-U sounded given how much smaller it is than the PC13-U (and PB13-U). That, and it's sealed, which might appeal to you.

 

[Irvrobinson]

The EQ function on the 212 is poor at best. I have SubEQ, either way. I like the idea of the 18.3, but I feel like I will end up with exactly what I have performance wise, but from an even smaller company who may or may not be able to properly support their product.

JL Audio is a relatively large company, so if you're having problems with them I'm not sure that I follow your logic.