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Better Subwoofer for 2 channel Music: Focal Utopia Sub or JL Fathom f113

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a good sub at about the 2K price point and am considering either the Focal Utopia Sub (15" woofer, 1000W RMS) or the JL Fathom f113 V1 (13.5" woofer 2500 RMS)- The fathom being slightly more expensive on the ’used’ market.  Both subs are highly rated and the Fathom seams to be very highly regarded on this site so I would like to try it. At the same time, my speakers are FOCAL Utopia BE series so I think the Utopia Sub will gel nicely and I would be able to save several hundred bucks to put towards other tweaks if I went with the focal sub. Currently I have a Monitor Audio Gold 12 Sub (12" woofer 600W RMS) which is very good, but want to see if either the Utopia or the Fathom is much better,  and I mostly use the Monitor Audio in my HT set up anyway.

Specs wise:

Focal Utopia BE Sub  - 15" woofer, 1000W RMS

JL Fathom f113 V1  - 13.5" woofer 2500W RMS

Both subs go down to ridiculously low Hz.

Usually, I am less into specs and more about hearing music (and not sure how important these specs are anyway) but I am not able to audition either of the subs (let alone in my system) , so kinda shooting in the dark and would appreciate some advise on which way to go as these are also heavy and expensive to move around to deal with!.

I imagine I will keep the new sub for a while.

I’d like the sub to merge with my speakers as seamless as possible, and provide that extra lower-level feeling and punch when needed.

Does anyone have experience with either (or both to compare)? Thank you in advance.


Aside -   My 1 pair of preamp LXR-outs is taken up by the connection to the Amp. So I would connect the sub via one of the two remaining RCA outs from my preamp - is there is a better way?

Ag insider logo xs@2xjmarshak

Showing 2 responses by gdnrbob

gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
@gillatgh,
Though Akg's post might sound like a plug for Vandersteen, the post does show how such a simple way to incorporate a sub not only makes sense, but works.
Yes, there are other subs out there, but few are built to last like the Vandersteen's. My 2w's were probably over 20 years old, yet still functioned as they should. I would ask the OP to look up previous threads regarding JL subs and the parts they use.
I also own a pair of HSU subs. They are quite good for the money, but took a long time to get integrated properly- Unlike my Vandy's which only required adjusting the impedance on the crossover.
@jmarshak , 
I would also consider the Audiokinesis Swarm. I haven't heard it, but people I consider knowledgeable on the subject, swear by them. 
Bob
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
@audiophil,
BTW, I've had lots of audiophiles with Wilsons, Focals, Magenpans, Soundlabs, Vandersteens, etc. tell me that a sub in a 2-channel system is a travesty.
I won't speak for Wilson, Focal, or your audiophile friends,  but I can say that for Magnepan, Sounlab and Vandersteen, subs, especially Vandersteen subs work extremely well. The use of the high pass filter allows fairly seemless integration. The new Sub 3 subs offers equalization which makes placement even less of an issue.
Bob
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