SVS vs JL AUDIO
mantis
Posts: 17,194
Hello everyone,
Has anyone done a side by side? I know it makes no sense as JL AUDIO is extremely more expensive. I have a pair of JL AUDIO Fathom V2 10 inch models here that I'm demoing.
Thoughts?
Has anyone done a side by side? I know it makes no sense as JL AUDIO is extremely more expensive. I have a pair of JL AUDIO Fathom V2 10 inch models here that I'm demoing.
Thoughts?
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
Comments
-
Doesn’t SVS have 45 day trial with free shipping both ways? No excuse not to do your own comparison!Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I honestly can't imagine any SVS products that are going you out perform a pair of Fathoms, but that demo rooftop mentioned certainly would be interesting.Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
Discogs -
I'm pretty excited to get them all setup and start demoing. I'm gonna run the Internal calibration and then tune them to the system. Should be pretty badass.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
I gotta admit these are the fastest Subwoofers I ever had in my home. They are so damn quick it's not funny. They start and stop so amazingly fast. Tight is an understatement. Geez the control these Sub's have is off the charts.
When you hear thins in other peoples rooms your impressed in all kinds of levels. It's very different when you hear it in your room that your use to hear certain responses. I have many many Subwoofers and none of them perform like these do.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
I have dual Fathom v2 13”
If there is something better, it’s gonna be hard to find.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
It's the speed that really impresses me. These 10 inch drivers are so fast and clean.
I just did a full frequency sweep and found some peaks and dips in my room. I ran the Auto EQ again , adjust placement just a tad and got a smoother response in room.
I can play down to 22hz clean and strong then these woofer start to really loose output. 20hz it's down -5 DB from 22HZ which is a pretty big drop off. At 18hz it's -8 and keeps dropping each hz I go. No real useable output under 20hz with these woofer unless your running reference volumes then maybe with the drop it's not that bad. BUT everything above 20hz is spectacular.
Yes I know I know these subs are pretty damn expensive and they should perform at a certain level but in the market the Rave is not JL audio it's SVS. I gotta assume due to their amazingly low price per performance ratio. JL Audio doesn't not perform above its price. You get what you pay for yes super high quality but I feel value maybe low here.
I really want to bring home a pair of SB2000 PRO models which are the newest models and are getting a lot of attention for ONLY $799 which is stupid low for a quality sub. These bad boys are $3500 each so there is absolutely no price match at all.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
displayname wrote: »I honestly can't imagine any SVS products that are going you out perform a pair of Fathoms, but that demo rooftop mentioned certainly would be interesting.I have dual Fathom v2 13”
If there is something better, it’s gonna be hard to find.
The JL's are SO good for music! Those that can afford them grab a couple and are set for life.
However, one has to define performance and what they are looking for. There's so many opinions about SVS Ultra, Seaton, Rythmik, Funk, JTR, etc that are liked as much or more than the Fathom.
SVS is known as the home theater sub but they stepped up their game with the Ultra line. Especially the newer SB-3000, SB-4000, and SB16-Ultra. All have great linear low distortion performance. Audioholics measured the SB16 at+/- 3 dB between 18 Hz to 330 Hz and +/- 1 dB between 30 Hz to 200 Hz. Audiophile performance for both music and movies! Should integrate with any speaker out there.
I had a chance to pick up a a Fathom with a bad amp that I'm sure I could have fixed for not a lot of money. I missed out but have briefly listen to them and the SVS but not side by side.2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
Are the JL subs servo controlled?"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I am running dual SVS SB4000 Ultra's. if there is anything at that price point that can outperform them I would like to hear them. I am sure the JL's are awesome but price/performance doesn't seem to be their forte.My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160
Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |
ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4
Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |
Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |
Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |
Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's
Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's | -
I have dual Fathom v2 13”
If there is something better, it’s gonna be hard to find.
https://soundapproach.com/velodyne-dd-10-subwoofer.htmlPolitical Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I have a feeling you are going to have a hard time beating the JLs.
The SVS is nice but not in the same category. And geared more towards theater.
Give a listen to some of the upper RELs.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables -
You should also test out subs that use high-level inputs.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
-
Funny you Posted the DD10+, I have one and I'm gonna do a shootout with it against 1 of the F110V2 JL's. I think one or the other was designed to compete with the other. I just don't remember if it was Velodyne who made the DD10+ Before the F110, The F110V2 is a current model.I have dual Fathom v2 13”
If there is something better, it’s gonna be hard to find.
https://soundapproach.com/velodyne-dd-10-subwoofer.html
I might be able to pick up a used DD10+ but it needs a new Sub amp so I can have 2 of them. I gotta find out what they cost to repair or replace.
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
displayname wrote: »I honestly can't imagine any SVS products that are going you out perform a pair of Fathoms, but that demo rooftop mentioned certainly would be interesting.I have dual Fathom v2 13”
If there is something better, it’s gonna be hard to find.
The JL's are SO good for music! Those that can afford them grab a couple and are set for life.
However, one has to define performance and what they are looking for. There's so many opinions about SVS Ultra, Seaton, Rythmik, Funk, JTR, etc that are liked as much or more than the Fathom.
SVS is known as the home theater sub but they stepped up their game with the Ultra line. Especially the newer SB-3000, SB-4000, and SB16-Ultra. All have great linear low distortion performance. Audioholics measured the SB16 at+/- 3 dB between 18 Hz to 330 Hz and +/- 1 dB between 30 Hz to 200 Hz. Audiophile performance for both music and movies! Should integrate with any speaker out there.
I had a chance to pick up a a Fathom with a bad amp that I'm sure I could have fixed for not a lot of money. I missed out but have briefly listen to them and the SVS but not side by side.
I gotta agree with the JL's being so good. I want to grab a pair of SVS Subs and see how they sound especially for the money I can get 4 SVS sub's for what these cost. Something tells me they just can't be as good as everyone says or they would cost more. Or maybe I'm stuck in the past and can't see past my web browser LOL.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
You should also test out subs that use high-level inputs.
I have quite a few Subwoofer that have High Level inputs. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for speakers. I'm in the middle of checking out Monitor Audio and I'm not even sure I can step down to Book shelf speakers. I've had Towers most of my life. These KLH bookies I have are just a pair I have to fool around with. They are by no means ever gonna be my main pair. I have them for the Gym or Music back ground in my Guitar space in the basement.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Pretty much any high quality sub (SVS, JL, Sunfire, HSU, etc) will work great for HT. The real test is 2ch music. That said, servo subs have a flat-out unfair advantage against non-servo subs. The servo circuit uses an accelerometer that literally tracks the movement of the cone, compares it to the incoming signal, and makes corrections in real time, 1,000’s of times a second. The effect on accuracy can not be overstated. It baffles me that more high-end sub makers do not exploit this technology.
Anyway, I would highly suggest you give a quality servo sub a whirl, if you’re doing comparisons...
Just my .02"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
I think the yet to be released PS Audio speakers are going to have servo woofers and/or servo built in subs. OT a bit I know.afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
I also am intrigued by rel subs. Maybe one day when I have less space constraints.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
-
Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
-
I also am intrigued by rel subs. Maybe one day when I have less space constraints.
That is why I went with the Carbon. Same size as an S5 but driver of G2.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables -
joecoulson wrote: »Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
It seems to me that you really have to decide what it’s main purpose will be. Music or HT. Mine are used 99.99999% for music.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables -
Not size of the sub itself, room to position it.
Rels don’t have eq short of the dual parametric of the 25Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
joecoulson wrote: »Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
It seems to me that you really have to decide what it’s main purpose will be. Music or HT. Mine are used 99.99999% for music.
This is true. And I am probably 50/50 so the investment/reward doesn’t justify the extra. I’m only really using 35hz down (sloped) so the towers are doing most of the work in 2ch anyway.
The sub is fantastic for movies.
But I am a JL fan, used to run W6’s and then W7’s and Slash amps for comp waaaaaay back. -
That's just it. The SB4000 is such a great performing 13.5" sealed sub in the $1500-$1600 each price range. Most seeking sealed would be satisfied with a pair of them.Mikey081057 wrote: »I am running dual SVS SB4000 Ultra's. if there is anything at that price point that can outperform them I would like to hear them. I am sure the JL's are awesome but price/performance doesn't seem to be their forte.
There are other high performing sealed subs out there.
The Power Sound Audio $1200 15" S1512, and $1550 18" S1812 with the B&C NEO sub driver ($500 driver alone) walk the fine line between low output and quick upper bass transients.
The $1300-$1450 Rythmik F15HD and $1630-$1850 F18 are crazy good sealed subs.
Also one can make a case for three-four HSU ULS-15 MK2 subs for around the same money. Room coverage and/or dual stacked for headroom / lower distortion per sub might work better for some.
Of course it comes down to the room and listening taste but all are very capable and have their own strengths. SVS is absolutely fabulous but other internet direct subs are killing it as well.
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
- The JL's are the cats meow but SO much can be had for the same money or less. Internet direct companies are making some great subs these days. A well setup and tuned system in the right room can fool even the pickiest of audiophiles out there. Great audiophile worthy bass can be had for less than $3500-$8000 per sub....and don't even add DIY into the discussion.I have a feeling you are going to have a hard time beating the JLs.
The SVS is nice but not in the same category. And geared more towards theater.
Give a listen to some of the upper RELs.
- Thinking of SVS as just a HT sub is old thinking. Their top subs are better than years past. A prodigious, powerful, low distortion SB16-Ultra playing +/- 1 dB between 30 Hz to 200 Hz works for any audiophile music system out there any day of the week and twice on the weekend!
- As far as upper end REL subs.....Great at what they do and the target market. The target market would be those that own buildings with their name on the side! $50K-$250K+ dedicated rooms, etc.Post edited by WLDock on2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
It's one of the big down falls of JL Audio Sub's. They are very expensive. The 12 inch V2 Fathom is $4000.00 and the 13 inch is $5000.00 for just one. I like to use 2 as one doesn't cover everything properly.joecoulson wrote: »Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
It's one of the big down falls of JL Audio Sub's. They are very expensive. The 12 inch V2 Fathom is $4000.00 and the 13 inch is $5000.00 for just one. I like to use 2 as one doesn't cover everything properly.joecoulson wrote: »Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
Yeah buddy
Pricing is a little highMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
It's one of the big down falls of JL Audio Sub's. They are very expensive. The 12 inch V2 Fathom is $4000.00 and the 13 inch is $5000.00 for just one. I like to use 2 as one doesn't cover everything properly.joecoulson wrote: »Quite happy with the SB16 U here. It’s no JL (specific to music) but it’s also almost half the price of that 10” version. And so would bet the HT performance of the SB16 vs the v2 10” would lean towards the SVS completely. My .02
$1,000 for ONE INCH...?
(Insert punchline here...)"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
Excuse my ignorance.....what is an "REL" subwoofer?George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
