Mismatched subs?

[multiham]

Currently have a Paradigm sub15. Have read such positive reviews on both having 2 subs and the performance of the JL F112. Will a "mismatched" pair (the Paradigm + JL) of subs work well? Only have enough $'s right now to buy one sub. If the mismatched pair won't work, am I better off spending more and getting 1 JL F113 or buying 1 F112 and saving for a 2nd F112 next year?

Thanks!

Steve

[chessman]

Steve, you ultimately want to end up with two matched subs. The JL subs are outstanding. Buy one now and a second later. You will think I am crazy during the one time period, when you hear two you will thank me. It's not louder, its smoother. The Paradigm is not likely to keep up with the JL, but its worth a try.

[jdandy]

Steve.......I don't believe I would run mismatched subwoofers. It's not that they won't work, but the voicing, speed, musicality will be different, and this can't be a positive contribution to what you are really seeking.

Order the Fathom f113 from Ivan while the 25% off sale is going on this week, and sell the Paradigm. You may discover this will fit your needs perfectly. I am running a single f113 in my main system, and it adds astonishing deep bass without giving away it's location. It is a most impressive subwoofer package. If the desire to run two subwoofers remains, add that second f113 next year.

[Doug Lax]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Steve.......I don't believe I would run mismatched subwoofers. It's not that they won't work, but the voicing, speed, musicality will be different, and this can't be a positive contribution to what you are really seeking.

Order the Fathom f113 from Ivan while the 25% off sale is going on this week, and sell the Paradigm. You may discover this will fit your needs perfectly. I am running a single f113 in my main system, and it adds astonishing deep bass without giving away it's location. It is a most impressive subwoofer package. If the desire to run two subwoofers remains, add that second f113 next year.

+1

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by multiham

Currently have a Paradigm sub15. Have read such positive reviews on both having 2 subs and the performance of the JL F112. Will a "mismatched" pair (the Paradigm + JL) of subs work well? Only have enough $'s right now to buy one sub. If the mismatched pair won't work, am I better off spending more and getting 1 JL F113 or buying 1 F112 and saving for a 2nd F112 next year?

Thanks!

Steve

The answer is different depending on how you use your subs.

In two channel: matched
In multi channel : 2 matched will be better than 2 unmatched but 2 unmatched will still be better than 1.

[Theresa]

I'm new here but just want to interject. I hope I am not violating the rules for newcomers. I have unmatched subs but the drivers are from the same company (Exodus) and both use passive radiators. They are very similar in response. That said, it's best if they are the same or at least close. Two is better than one and I would have two similar unmatched subs any day over one.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Theresa

I'm new here but just want to interject. I hope I am not violating the rules for newcomers. I have unmatched subs but the drivers are from the same company (Exodus) and both use passive radiators. They are very similar in response. That said, it's best if they are the same or at least close. Two is better than one and I would have two similar unmatched subs any day over one.

With all due respect, citing the driver is like citing the piston in a motor. There's quite a bit more involved in the final result.

For theatre you are correct. For 2 channel, not so much.

[Masterlu]

I'm not a fan of mismatched subs.

[drummermitchell]

Nor am I,to me it would be like having two different main speakers(WTF),only on the bottom end.Definately out of wack.

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by multiham

Currently have a Paradigm sub15. Have read such positive reviews on both having 2 subs and the performance of the JL F112. Will a "mismatched" pair (the Paradigm + JL) of subs work well? Only have enough $'s right now to buy one sub. If the mismatched pair won't work, am I better off spending more and getting 1 JL F113 or buying 1 F112 and saving for a 2nd F112 next year?

Thanks!

Steve

I just read your post, have you made a decision yet? With your Sub15, did you borrow a PBK kit from your dealer to run that on the sub? If not I highly recommend doing that before entertaining the idea of selling the sub with the intention of getting 2 JL F112s because running the PBK will totally change the performance of the sub. I honestly can't see how 2 JL F112's would perform better than 2 Sub 15s (2 JL F112's will definitely give better performance than 1 Sub15) and concerning the JL F113, the Paradigm Sub 25 will out perform that. The only downside of the Paradigms I see is the price, they cost more than the JL stuff. Don't get me wrong the JL gear is fantastic as people on these and other forums will attest to so will the numerous reviews of the products in magazines.

Just for the sake of full disclosure I own 3 Paradigm subs, 2 older Servo 15a's (the predecessor to your Sub15) which I am running in stereo to handle bass management duties and I also have a Sub 25 which I use for the LFE channel.

Rod