JL Audio f113 Fathom Dialed In

[jdandy]

Ivan.......I agree with you. The musicality is remarkable. I have owned and auditioned quite a few different subs through the years. In home theater systems 80 Hz is the blessed THX crossover point, and is almost the universal crossover point used, generally controlled by the processor. For movies, this point seems acceptable in spite of the sub quality, for sound effects, crashes, and explosions. When music becomes the primary source, many of these subs start to sound bloated, abnormally heavy, slow, and not musical at all. This is why many sub crossovers get set much lower than 80 Hz for music, so that the sub's influence is pushed lower down the audio spectrum to keep from muddying the lowest of the mid range. The JL subs are not in that catagory at all. They sing at 80 Hz. They are lightning fast both on attack and instant stop. The amplifier power seems perfectly matched, and is in complete control of the driver. This approach clearly refects the total package aspect of JL Audio's design and engineering effort.

I also agree with you that JL subs are an incredible value when one considers all that is there. The A.R.O feature with auto EQ and memory would cost a grand or more as a stand alone component of this caliber, plus the unbelievable home version of the W7 woofer, super powerful amplifier, Rock of Gibraltar cabinet designs, and finishes that are a work of art. As a complete package, the subs are definately under priced, in my opinion, and should be snapped up by anyone considering a first class subwoofer, before JL decides to raise the price. I am happy that I finally got off center and made my Fathom f113 purchase. I might even consider a second one, not because I need it, but because they are so awesome.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......I took your advice on the phase setting, and spent about three hours this morning tweaking the Fathom f113 sub. I used the Rives Test CD2, repeating the tracks that output 25 Hz, 31.5 Hz, 40 Hz, 50 Hz, 63 Hz while changing polarity, to determine the best setting. Turns out zero, not inverted, is the best for the sub location. Repeating the same test frequencies again, I adjusted the phase control approximatley 10 degrees at a time through it's range, listening closely, and eventaully settled on 45 degrees as the sweet spot, with the gain setting very slightly reduced from its previous setting. I also spent some time reevaluating the low pass crossover point, and finally settled on 75 Hz as the smoothest transition that sounds the best. The results are well worth the time and effort. The Fathom is now as much a part of the musical presentation as the PMC EB1i's. The speakers and the sub coexist as though they are one. The bottom octaves are richer, the bass frequency textures are more vibrant, and the deep bottom authority creates a new dimension in the audio spectrum. I am very pleased with the total package. The Fathom f113 is well worth the price of admission.

Glad to hear you were able to dial in the sub to perfection. Sit back and enjoy the results.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Glad to hear you were able to dial in the sub to perfection. Sit back and enjoy the results.

The Gotham's provide a free back massage with every Demo!

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The Gotham's provide a free back massage with every Demo!

After seeing what a JL driver can do in the video, are you sure it's back massage and not back breaking?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The Gotham's provide a free back massage with every Demo!

I hear the Gotham owners don't suffer from kidney stones.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Glad to hear you were able to dial in the sub to perfection. Sit back and enjoy the results.

Serge.......I was surprised at the amount of time it actually took to do the various tests, make the decisions and adjustments, and listen for the results. You don't just dial in this sub in ten minutes. To get it right it takes trial and error, and paying very close attention to many details. It's fun work, but tedious, and time consuming. It is best done by yourself without distractions. It starts to get exciting as you get closer and closer to the ultimate sweet spot. When it's finally right, you have to be smart enough to just stop, leave it alone, and enjoy.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......I was surprised at the amount of time it actually took to do the various tests, make the decisions and adjustments, and listen for the results. You don't just dial in this sub in ten minutes. To get it right it takes trial and error, and paying very close attention to many details. It's fun work, but tedious, and time consuming. It is best done by yourself without distractions. It starts to get exciting as you get closer and closer to the ultimate sweet spot. When it's finally right, you have to be smart enough to just stop, leave it alone, and enjoy.

Now imagine 2 of them plus an active crossover.

[jdandy]

Serge.......I was reading in the manual about a second Fathom f113 working as a slave to the first. When connected by the single balanced output from the sub designated Master, the sub designated Slave gets all of it EQ, crossover, low pass, and phase settings from the Master controls. Is this a blessing or a curse to connect two Fathoms in this manner?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......I was reading in the manual about a second Fathom f113 working as a slave to the first. When connected by the single balanced output from the sub designated Master, the sub designated Slave gets all of it EQ, crossover, low pass, and phase settings from the Master controls. Is this a blessing or a curse to connect two Fathoms in this manner?

I run both of mine as Masters so they each get their own separate input from L an R channels. On some recordings where the instruments are recorded hard left or hard right, it makes a big difference. Plus the two subs are a little off from each other in settings to compensate for the room acoustics anyways.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I hear the Gotham owners don't suffer from kidney stones.

Or hemorrhoids. They get beat back where they belong.