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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 jmarshak

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jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
These are all great response. thank you. 

I surmised a couple of things..

1) To perhaps focus on REL or JL but its a bit harder for me to get ahold of a REL
2)The RCA hookups from preamp is fine.
3) That perhaps two smaller 'good quality' subs may be better for 2 channel music than one larger one.  (i.e two f112s better than a single f113).  I just don't think that going to a three or four sub configuration is practical for me.  I might just get one sub and see how it works by itself and with my Monitor Audio.  

One person mentioned to stay away from the JL Version 1.  Does anyone have  a good account of exactly what JL upgraded in the V2s? 

My room is like 20'x20'x8'.  Two couches, carpet.  Should I be concerned that a single f113 may be two 'large' or overwhelming or can it always be dialed down?
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jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
Thank you all for your help  Ill try a JL.
Best Regards
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