JL F212 to dual SVS PB13 Ultra

[Steve81]

the FW 18.3 should have significantly more output (if it is anything like a stacked pair of 18.0).

The FW18.3 utilizes a single active driver and a pair of passive radiators, so it's not the equivalent to a stacked pair of 18.0's. That would presumably be the 18.2. Nonetheless, the 18.3 will have a boatload of output roughly on par with a pair of PB13U's and useful extension into the deep teens depending on the tuning selected.

 

[Irvrobinson]

The FW18.3 utilizes a single active driver and a pair of passive radiators, so it's not the equivalent to a stacked pair of 18.0's. That would presumably be the 18.2. Nonetheless, the 18.3 will have a boatload of output roughly on par with a pair of PB13U's and useful extension into the deep teens depending on the tuning selected.

Actually, Funk's web site says that the 18.3 has about the same output as two 18.0s.

 

[Steve81]

Actually, Funk's web site says that the 18.3 is about the same output as two 18.0s.

From 14-40Hz, not over the entire passband. One might actually note that the 18.3 has a little less maximum output versus the 18.0 (124dB to 126dB) as it's not quite as sensitive up high.

 

[Irvrobinson]

From 14-40Hz, not over the entire passband.

Yes, smack dab in the 20-40Hz octave where most people who use big subs need the help.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

20Hz

25Hz

31.5Hz

40Hz

50Hz

63Hz

80Hz

100Hz

125Hz

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SVS, PB-13 Ultra (20Hz)

110.6

113.5

115.5

117.5

117.8

116.6

115.3

114.4

114.1

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Rythmik FV15HP(2 ports)

108.1

113.1

117.0

119.5

119.1

118.8

118.4

118.2

118.1

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Paradigm Signature Sub2

106.4

109.9

113.2

116.9

120.2

122.5

123.0

122.1

120.3

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Funk Audio 18.0(Passive)

103.5

108.7

116.0

121.6

123.8

125.4

126.6

127.2

127.8

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And since I can't even hear much below 28Hz, I really just care about bass from 30Hz on up.

I know when I had my Rythmik subs, I would set the mode to 28Hz, not 20Hz or 14Hz.

 

[Hocky]

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).

I don't know if that is a fair comparison or not, but I don't doubt that the 18.3 can at least match the 212. I don't think I care if it exceeds it since I don't think I've ever pushed the 212 that far, anyway.

 

[Steve81]

And since I can't even hear much below 28Hz, I really just care about bass from 30Hz on up.

You don't necessarily hear those low frequencies well, but at higher levels, you certainly will feel them. Food for thought.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I don't know if that is a fair comparison or not, but I don't doubt that the 18.3 can at least match the 212. I don't think I care if it exceeds it since I don't think I've ever pushed the 212 that far, anyway.

I think you have a very valid point here. Many of our subwoofer discussions are purely max output driven, and in my own measurements I'm finding that my big sub is not being stressed either, at least for music. (I don't use it for HT.)

How do you run your mains (I assume the Summit X)? Full range? With a high-pass filter?

 

[Irvrobinson]

You don't necessarily hear those low frequencies well, but at higher levels, you certainly will feel them. Food for thought.

I completely agree. The OmniMic RTA display shows a remarkable level of output below 30Hz on many contemporary jazz albums.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You don't necessarily hear those low frequencies well, but at higher levels, you certainly will feel them. Food for thought.

My room bass already feels like an EARTHQUAKE.

Any more feely bass and the roof will come down.

 

[Steve81]

My room bass already feels like an EARTHQUAKE.

No doubt; of course to be fair, your dual Funk 18.0s are going to be pretty potent below 30Hz as well and probably deliver enough output above to give you a nice full body massage

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

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.

Ah, sub-amp problems?

That's why I love passive subs. Get the F18.0 passive subs and get an outboard sub amp/EQ.

I just use the Sub EQ in my Denon, which I think does a great enough job.

 

[Hocky]

I think you have a very valid point here. Many of our subwoofer discussions are purely max output driven, and in my own measurements I'm finding that my big sub is not being stressed either, at least for music. (I don't use it for HT.)

How do you run your mains (I assume the Summit X)? Full range? With a high-pass filter?

Currently, they run full range as they have great low end power and create the smoothest response that way. However, if I end up with 2 subs, I am not sure that playing them full range would still be the right thing to do.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Currently, they run full range as they have great low end power and create the smoothest response that way. However, if I end up with 2 subs, I am not sure that playing them full range would still be the right thing to do.

That's what I thought too in my system, but as with so many people I found the more low-bass sources the better, for smoothness in the bottom three octaves. (Then I use the sub's EQ to cut and boost at various frequencies to make the sub a filler rather than replacer, if you know what I mean.) If you don't have one already, I highly recommend a measuring system like OmniMic to see what's-what in your room. Given the investments you've made $300 for OmniMic is trivial.

 

[Hocky]

I've got one. It's been more than a few minutes so its been out of my closet, though. It'll definitely come out again with the new stuff. It looks like SVS offers risk free purchasing, maybe I should just order and set them up for comparison.... worst case scenario is that I ship them back, I guess.

 

[Hocky]

I went ahead and did it. I will get some sweeps of the current F212 vs 2xPB13U and give some impressions in the next couple of weeks. Maybe I need to keep the F212 in the system, too? lol. If these don't do what I hope for HT and/or feel a bit too sloppy for music, I'll send them back for a refund and order an 18.3.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I went ahead and did it. I will get some sweeps of the current F212 vs 2xPB13U and give some impressions in the next couple of weeks. Maybe I need to keep the F212 in the system, too? lol. If these don't do what I hope for HT and/or feel a bit too sloppy for music, I'll send them back for a refund and order an 18.3.

There is no way the SVS subs will sound too sloppy for music. I've never heard them, but it just couldn't be. That stuff you hear about ported enclosure bass is mostly audiophile baloney. The things people dislike about so-called "ported bass" is that some designers use a higher Q (like 0.7 or more) than they should, to make the bass more prominent for demos and rock, and that if a ported speaker has a rather high F3, like 60Hz, the steeper slope can sound less "musical" than the shallower, first-order slope you get from a sealed alignment. With a sub like the SVS both concerns will almost certainly be moot.

 

[Adam]

I went ahead and did it.

Congrats! Dual PC13-U should be pretty darn impressive. I hope that you like them. Just curious, did you look at the SB13-U?

 

[ImcLoud]

I went ahead and did it. I will get some sweeps of the current F212 vs 2xPB13U and give some impressions in the next couple of weeks. Maybe I need to keep the F212 in the system, too? lol. If these don't do what I hope for HT and/or feel a bit too sloppy for music, I'll send them back for a refund and order an 18.3.

I have heard the f212 and was impressed but not for the asking price.. I think you will be happy with the svs's. Keep us posted...

Do you have pics of the room, maybe 4 sealed subs would be an even better option you can get 4 uls15's for around $4000 and they are wireless, and I have yet to hear a more musical sub...

Rythmic also has some impressive looking sealed units on their site, and don't forget the custom route, annukai {I am probably spelling that wrong} has done some very impressive looking work...

 

[Hocky]

Congrats! Dual PC13-U should be pretty darn impressive. I hope that you like them. Just curious, did you look at the SB13-U?

I did, but having sufficient ouput made me nervous.

I have heard the f212 and was impressed but not for the asking price.. I think you will be happy with the svs's. Keep us posted...

Do you have pics of the room, maybe 4 sealed subs would be an even better option you can get 4 uls15's for around $4000 and they are wireless, and I have yet to hear a more musical sub...

Rythmic also has some impressive looking sealed units on their site, and don't forget the custom route, annukai {I am probably spelling that wrong} has done some very impressive looking work...

If anyone pays asking price for anything, well..... haha. I don't have a good way to fit 4 subs. I can squeeze 3 in, though. Maybe I'll like these ones and order a third. lol