JL Audio Fathom 212 or REL 212/se

[2FlyingYorkies]

Looking for a sub to augment our Focal Sopra No3s. Leading contenders are the JL Audio Fathom 212 and the REL 212/SE. This system is used for audio and movies (always 2 channel). Large irregularly shaped room that includes more than just the listening area. Main amp is a bridged Ncore class D unit, which might make connection of a REL a little more difficult.

i had been considering the G1 mk2, but the other active thread convinced me otherwise. The JL and REL are quite similar on paper, though there's a significant price difference (4K vs 7k).

Closest dealers for both brands are roughly 400 miles away, so auditioning may be difficult (though not impossible).

[Phishphan]

I have a JL 112 (currently not being used) and two 212s. Go the JL Audio route. You’ll be happy you did. I’ve been playing around with their subs for the past 22 years all the way back to when I was a punk kid putting them in my car stereo. They know how to build a world class sub.


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[2FlyingYorkies]

Had a chance today to audition both brands while visiting family for the holidays (glad i looked to see what was available in town before we left for home!). The JL 212 (paired with Paradigm Persona 5s and McIntosh gear) just seemed boomy and overblown to us. Not at all musical, which was surprising. Could easily have bewn the setup, but we were assured it was all set up for smooth flat response, not movie boom. At the second store, the stereo REL G1v2's (with far superior Dynaudio C4s and Boulder gear) were much better integrated, to the point that it wasn't at all obvious what they were contributing. We were advised to try the G1 over the 212se based on our system and room, by the way. In the end, both brands were disappointing in their separate auditions, but for very different reasons. Oh, the REL passed the aesthetics test, but the JL failed badly. If we decide to continue, we'll probably try to get an in home audition of REL before we look at JL in any more detail.

[blueoak]

The Focal Sopra 3 speakers already have huge bass. Why do you need a sub?

[VT Skier]

If a (free) home demo is important, and you'd like to spend less, consider the SVS SB-4000 or 16 Ultra.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...ered-subwoofer

[2FlyingYorkies]

The Focal Sopra 3 speakers already have huge bass. Why do you need a sub?

The intent was to fill out the bottom sub-bass octave. In our room, the Sopras have good output down to 30hz or so, but roll off pretty steeply after that. We listen to enough bass heavy music (organ, for example) and the room is large enough that it would be nice to augment that range. Some of the problem is our room layout, but that's essentially fixed since it's a living room before it's a media area.

The "free" audition isn't a deal breaker, nor is the cost, up to a point. The SVS seems more like a theater woofer, but we'll see if we can find one to hear.

[Mr Peabody]

If the JL audition sounded "boomy" something was wrong. Whenever hearing REL set up at our dealer I couldn't ever tell they did anything, so I'm thinking what's the point of having them. When I've heard JL in systems they've always been fast and punchy. In fact, my friend has six JL 12's in his system, I forget which model, the bass is there and accurate but not like you'd expect for 6 subs in a room, they are very well behaved.

Opinions are formed on our own experiences, mine cause me to believe REL is over rated.

Having a SVS, my guess is my PC13 would play lower than a JL but the JL I feel might be faster and being sealed, tighter. Then again, I only use the SVS for HT and response changes when the auto set up is ran. Just a side note the SVS seemed to blend with speakers like Dynaudio and Revel opposed to speakers like Klipsch or JBL. I suspect the crossover point is higher with the latter, which may cause the sub to be more noticeable, not disappear as well.

[Mr Peabody]

No offense to Mac owners but comparing that bass to Boulder is definitely not apples to apples. IMO, the C4's are really nice sounding. My friend with the JL's lives in St. Peters, MO if you are ever over this way I can arrange a listen. His main speakers are Legacy V,

You may have without mentioning it, I like to ask for the sub to be turned off after hearing it in order to hear what exactly it was contricuting to the sound when on, if anything.

Had a chance today to audition both brands while visiting family for the holidays (glad i looked to see what was available in town before we left for home!). The JL 212 (paired with Paradigm Persona 5s and McIntosh gear) just seemed boomy and overblown to us. Not at all musical, which was surprising. Could easily have bewn the setup, but we were assured it was all set up for smooth flat response, not movie boom. At the second store, the stereo REL G1v2's (with far superior Dynaudio C4s and Boulder gear) were much better integrated, to the point that it wasn't at all obvious what they were contributing. We were advised to try the G1 over the 212se based on our system and room, by the way. In the end, both brands were disappointing in their separate auditions, but for very different reasons. Oh, the REL passed the aesthetics test, but the JL failed badly. If we decide to continue, we'll probably try to get an in home audition of REL before we look at JL in any more detail.

[VT Skier]

The "free" audition isn't a deal breaker, nor is the cost, up to a point. The SVS seems more like a theater woofer, but we'll see if we can find one to hear.

SVS pays RT shipping, so I'd suggest you try one. Or two.

I've owned REL, I own JL, and the new SVS subs are extremely good.

[kzhtoo]

I haven't owned many different subs, except JL and Paradigm. Just want to mention JL v2 subs are whole different ball game. My F113v2 blends perfectly with my Magico S3 mk1 for both music and HT.