ULS-15, how does it stack up to the Fathom F113?

[joez28ls1]

Does anyone know how the ULS-15 compares to the JL Fathom F113 in output and Sound Quality? I've searched here and elsewhere and haven't found a profesional review yet of the ULS-15 or any comparisons to the Fathom 113. Thanks is advance!

[cacihome]

I have the ULS in my house...
Have heard the Fathom in several stores.(like 10 times, last time I was kicked out from the store when I said that ID subs are better value..HAHAHHA)

The ULS is as musical as a Fathom, but has a bit more usable extension...The ULS has a little less output... Both are of about the same size more or less...
WIth two ULS you will have more output that what a Fathom can give and save a few $$$...

Just my opinion...

[joez28ls1]

Thanks for the info. So output (SPL) is in the same league...That's awesome to hear that it is just as musical.

[cacihome]

Yes, it seems to be as musical...

With Dual ULS you will have more output across the entire range.
With one vs one in SPL, I have to give the edge to the Fathom 25hz-up.

[joez28ls1]

Okay, cool. I'm going to be replacing my SVS PB10-NSD...I need more output and better quality of sound. I'm confident a single ULS-15 will give me both! I hope to get a 2nd one later on. Thanks again!

[Pete_Hsu]

The JL is a great product, and has very good output, great build quality, and nice features like ARO. However, it's pretty safe to say that ULS-15 DualDrive will have higher output and lower distortion across the board, in addition to much deeper bass extension, better ability to take advantage of room gain with the ULF trim control, a larger variety of finish options, and wireless connectivity to help make it much easier to place a single or multiple subs in room without running wires all over the place. Also note that dual subs can help smooth out frequency response vs a single sub, so there will be plenty of situations where multiple subs will offer very tangible sound quality benefits compared to a single sub.

[kevinzoe]

Let me start by saying I don't own any subwoofers, but expect to buy a pair of ULS-15's for my 2-ch stereo.

On a different forum, a member told me that he did a head-to-head comparison of the ULS-15 vs Fathom 112 for a musical comparison within his home system and here is what he said:

"For most music I'd still give the edge to the Fathom. Although for organ music, the HSU is superior. It has much deeper extension. But considering the difference in price, the HSU is a bargain. I'd say it does about 85-90% of what the Fathom does with music for half the price."

It's just one person's opinion and he owned the Fathom so some amount of prejudice was probably at play . . .

[Pete_Hsu]

That's a great compliment! He is a good and honest guy who's opinion I really respect.

The ULS-15 and the JL have different upper bass rolloff characteristics, so I suspect that the optimal crossover setting for the JL would not be the best crossover setting for the ULS. So by carefully adjusting crossover frequency/slope, and by experimenting with phase and ULF trim, I'm sure that the ULS could actually sound even better than before in that room.

[joez28ls1]

Thanks for all the comments and info everybody. Another question...what has more output, The ULS-15 Dual drive or a single PB13 Ultra?

[Pete_Hsu]

I would say that the DualDrive system should have more output above 25Hz compared to the PB13, while having much deeper bass extension too. And in the ultra deep bass, the ULS will take better advantage of room gain than the ported sub due to a much more shallow rolloff. Also keep in mind that one would need to plug at least one port on the ported sub to get comparable deep bass extension to the ULS sealed box, and even then the ULS would extend deeper. Having dual subs and wireless technology can also make it easier and more practical to good bass performance in your room by allowing one to optimally position the subwoofers for best impact and best response without running wires all over the place.

[joez28ls1]

Thanks again Pete. I've been looking at the connections that it has and don't see the standard single RCA cable connection that I'm used too seeing on most subs. I know it has wireless but I'm building out my basement and would like to run cable for it. How would/should I hook this up to my receiver, which has the standard RCA pre-out?

[cacihome]

THe ULS has both, you will have no problems with the standard RCA sub cable.
However, the wireless works great.

[Pete_Hsu]

Joe, when using the standard rca connection, you only need to feed either the left or the right input on the ULS amp. In fact, the left input is labeled as 'Left/Sub In'. Set the ULS amp to the 'Wired' position, and you are good to go.

Sincerely,

[joez28ls1]

I figured there must be a way :) Thanks, I can't wait to order one or two...hopefully real soon!

[Pete_Hsu]

Thanks joe! One is very nice, but two is icing on the cake :)

[jbhungvt]

Thanks joe! One is very nice, but two is icing on the cake :)
Do you have a term for the quad drive?

[cacihome]

^^^^^^^HAHHAHAHA
Very funny!
Sorry...

[jbhungvt]

^^^^^^^HAHHAHAHA
Very funny!
Sorry...
Hey,

I noticed you used to have the SPL1200. How does the ULS15 compared both musically and output?

thanks

[cacihome]

HAHHA
The SPL1200 I had cost me in PR about $1,200. The store's name is Precision Audio(they sell B&W, Velodyne...you know the brands...)
Then I bought the CHT-12 because I thought the ported/bigger one will give me better output...I made a newbie mistake that time...God!!!
Then I purchased the 3.3 Turbo.... hahahha
It was the first time I heard a bass so powerful and clean.Period.My wife and I couldn't believe what we were hearing...and the most beautiful thing is that it costed me about $1,000(shipped)...
Anyway...sorry about the ULS....

It is a no contest.The ULS-15 kills that tiny thing in every aspect I can think of!
I mean Velodyne subs do have excellent sound, but they do not let their drivers move! They only care about their subs not doing more than .000001 THD...
In real world performance, in my opinion, there is a lot more than that to make a good sub!

[jbhungvt]

thanks for the quick response.
Saves me $900 to buy the SPL1200 then.

[tdekany]

thanks for the quick response.
Saves me $900 to buy the SPL1200 then.

Hey man, I am by GMU in fairfax. What sub do you have?

[jbhungvt]

Hey man, I am by GMU in fairfax. What sub do you have?

I only have the VTF-3 MKII Piano Black bought several years ago.
What sub do you have?

[tdekany]

I only have the VTF-3 MKII Piano Black bought several years ago.
What sub do you have?

I ordered an STF3 when it first came out that was actually tuned like the VTF3, so I guess i have the same sub minus the nice finish. Also an STF2

And 2 1203s in the car. :D:D:D

[cacihome]

How do the 1203 sound?

[cschang]

How do the 1203 sound?
They sound great!

I don't have space for it in my new car, but I am trying to figure out how to get it in there. I might have to go to a 10".....or maybe even an 8" under the seat.
http://changpics.smugmug.com/photos/48630606_o48F9-S.jpg

[cacihome]

ahhh I forgot you had one also curtis...Nice...
Ok curtis since you know what good SQ and output is...
How does the 1203 compares to say a Audiobahn, Audiopipe of the same price???SQ and Output?? of course...
AS you know this time I prefer Output over SQ...

[cschang]

ahhh I forgot you had one also curtis...Nice...
Ok curtis since you know what good SQ and output is...
How does the 1203 compares to say a Audiobahn, Audiopipe of the same price???SQ and Output?? of course...
AS you know this time I prefer Output over SQ...
Well, I don't have a lot of experience with car audio. The only other sub I had was a JL:
http://changpics.smugmug.com/photos/48035599_zXPE4-S.jpg

I could not really tell the difference in sound, so I sold the JL and kept the Hsu. The custom enclosure and the driver was less expensive than the JL.

[cacihome]

Ok. Thanks for the answer man.