The Official JL Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread - Blu-ray Forum

Brain Sturgeon · 01-08-2009, 12:21 AM

Please discuss your JL Audio subwoofers in this thread. You can include pictures, reviews, or any other comments regarding your subwoofer.

Manufacturer’s Website: http://home.jlaudio.com/products_sub....php?page_id=7

A tour of the JL Audio factory
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=79916

Brain Sturgeon's New JL Audio Subwoofer:

So, in the never ending quest for Home Theater and audio Nirvana, I decided it was time for a sub upgrade.

I previously had a Velodyne DD-18 that I used as an LFE sub, and a B&W 800 ASW that I was using as a mono sub. I was running my mains (802D) full range, and they can effectively get to 35 Hz or so. This worked okay, although the older B&W sub was very much the weak link in the system.

I thought about getting another DD-18 as I really like the built in EQ in the sub. However, the price/performance ratio of this sub has deteriorated since its debut. It's still a great sub, but there are definitely better for the price.

I started looking at the top commercial subs out there (I just don't have the time to do a DIY sub), and these include the Danley DTS-20, eD A7-900, Epik Conquest, Seaton SUBmersives, SVS PB13-ultra, Genelec HTS6, Velodyne DD-1812, and the JL Audio Gotham, among others.

The Danley's form factor wouldn't work in my room as it is, and it doesn't do well in the aesthetics department (basically a long, black box). The big eD, Epik, and Seaton are a little better looking, but not by much-- basically large ported boxes. The SVS is a pretty sub, but a step below these others in performance. I've never heard the Genelec and don't know any dealers in my area. The Velodyne is a bit bigger than I would like, and the price/performance is not great as it is hideously expensive. Which leaves me with the JL, which I had on my radar anyway as I was wow'ed by Gothams in the past.

So, here she is at my front door today:

Just an absolute beast of a box-- every bit of 400#. It took four of us to wrestle this down to my theater while avoiding getting crushed by the thing...

Moving into position:

Almost there:

Final set up:

I'm going to run left and right subs through the Lexicon MC-12 and not run an LFE sub (LFE will just be rolled into the usual sub output). I'm going to run the 802's small (not full range) and cross them over @ 40 Hz, and use the THX 80 Hz crossover for the subs. I did the basic automatic setup and Room EQ through the Lex, and have got a lot more EQ'ing to do with the DD-18 and Gotham. It will be interesting to see if I can get these subs to play nice.

Early impressions in my system: The output of the Gotham is absolutely ungodly. It just smokes the DD-18, which is not a slouch in any way. This poses the problem of having to turn down the output of the Gotham, which I am doing with the Lex. Even so, I may have to reduce the gain of the Gotham manually on the sub itself to get it just right.

In very limited listening, the bass is incredibly powerful, palpable, and crisp, although I need to work on matching them with the 802D's a bit better as it feels a little too forward right now. Adjusting the EQ and crossover points will probably be in order. I had thought about going with two Gothams, but I'm glad I started with one as it is getting close to overwhelming the room at this point. I'll see how it is once I get the subs a little better dialed in-- I may or may not like how it matches with the Velodyne.

Anyways, fun stuff...

JasonR · 01-08-2009, 12:24 AM

Holy crap Brain!!! That is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

We need a grill off shot!

crazyBLUE · 01-08-2009, 12:37 AM

SPEECHLESS !!!

I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR YOU"RE REVIEW BRAIN !!!!

Big Daddy · 01-08-2009, 12:43 AM

You may have to adjust the placement of the subs. I am sure you are aware that room positioning is as important as the quality of the subs. I realize that it may ruin the aesthetics of your HT room, but try it and see what you will get. Start with the middle of the side walls or one in the front and one in the back.

Get 4 of those Gothams and I will move in to your house.

Slec · 01-08-2009, 01:06 AM

Absolutely crazy, in an amazingly good way. The DD18 is a beast so I can't imagine what that Gotham is like.

aramis109 · 01-08-2009, 01:31 AM

Man, when I saw your name and then the list, I was like, "please tell me he got the Gotham," and then I scrolled down and saw the pic. What a beauty. I'm even more jealous if that was possible. Take some more pics!

prerich · 01-08-2009, 01:34 AM

SDBlu · 01-08-2009, 03:24 AM

Brain Sturgeon is my HERO!

Brain Sturgeon · 01-08-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Holy crap Brain!!! That is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

We need a grill off shot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

Man, when I saw your name and then the list, I was like, "please tell me he got the Gotham," and then I scrolled down and saw the pic. What a beauty. I'm even more jealous if that was possible. Take some more pics!

Here ya go...

The fit and finish are spectacular. Truly a work of art.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You may have to adjust the placement of the subs. I am sure you are aware that room positioning is as important as the quality of the subs. I realize that it may ruin the aesthetics of your HT room, but try it and see what you will get. Start with the middle of the side walls or one in the front and one in the back.

Get 4 of those Gothams and I will move in to your house.

Yup, I would love to do the subwoofer crawl sometime, but moving the Gotham around is an enormous PITA. Unfortunately, the room is a bit peculiar for acoustics in that there is no right wall (it opens into an atrium at the bottom of the stairwell) and the back wall is another 30' back from the back row. The room is about 17'x55'x8' with about 25' of length used for the theater room. I wish it were a purpose built room for audio, but that's my next theater...

I can't really place a sub on the left wall as the hearth is located there; so that leaves me with either their current positions, a position in front of and lateral to the mains, or a position behind the back row. I'm going to do a lot of tweaking with setting levels, EQ, and Extreme Low Freq trim in their current positions to see if I can get everything blended together. If I get frustrated, I will start rearranging things.

Four Gothams-- sheesh!

After hearing the output of one in my room, I would fear for the rest of the home with quad Gothams...

I've got a copy of War of the Worlds coming in the mail tomorrow. We'll see how the "Lightning Strikes" and "Pods Emerge" scenes sound. I've also got the opening scene of Master and Commander on my list of scenes to hear...

JasonR · 01-08-2009, 03:29 AM

Thing of beauty! JL really knows how to do subs!

aramis109 · 01-08-2009, 04:33 AM

Gawd, that pic is possibly illegal in 10 states due to their laws on pornography....

Seriously, congrats on your purchase. The ultimate in home theater gets the ultimate in subwoofers.

jhoffs_cb7 · 01-08-2009, 04:42 AM

i bet that motherfer pounds so fing hard
god...i could only dream

what do you do for a living?

MacDaddyOJack · 01-08-2009, 11:39 AM

Brain, you just upgraded from a DD-18!!!

And you said it was a "little" upgrade

As if I didn't want to come see a movie in your theater before, now I really do....great setup and great pics!

111111 · 01-08-2009, 01:19 PM

Said it before and I'll say it again...My favorite HT period!

Brain,

Nice purchase mang! You need to invite all of us over for a demo someday.

Ray

Opips2 · 01-08-2009, 06:05 PM

it's beautiful black gloss panio new the sub. I love your amazing the pictures!
It's beautiful in room lexury home theatre!

thanks review.

BACsader · 01-08-2009, 06:11 PM

God I love the look of that sub. I bet is sounds even better. Do you think i could put one of those in my car? JK. Nice purchase. One day, I might be able to have a setup NEARLY as decent as yours.

Mr. HiDef · 01-08-2009, 06:19 PM

Nice upgrade Brain that is a thing of beauty

Marine Mike · 01-08-2009, 06:25 PM

You have my dream home theatre, just an FYI!

Footloose301 · 01-08-2009, 06:44 PM

No no no! That was supposed to be shipped here!

Fine. You win. I'll trade you my MFW-15 for the Gotham.

aramis109 · 01-08-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footloose301

No no no! That was supposed to be shipped here!

Fine. You win. I'll trade you my MFW-15 for the Gotham.

Shoot, I'd love your MFW-15.

01-08-2009, 12:21 AM	#1
Brain Sturgeon Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Sep 2007 Home Theater Gallery:39	The Official JL Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread Please discuss your JL Audio subwoofers in this thread. You can include pictures, reviews, or any other comments regarding your subwoofer. Manufacturer’s Website: http://home.jlaudio.com/products_sub....php?page_id=7 A tour of the JL Audio factory https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=79916 Brain Sturgeon's New JL Audio Subwoofer: So, in the never ending quest for Home Theater and audio Nirvana, I decided it was time for a sub upgrade. I previously had a Velodyne DD-18 that I used as an LFE sub, and a B&W 800 ASW that I was using as a mono sub. I was running my mains (802D) full range, and they can effectively get to 35 Hz or so. This worked okay, although the older B&W sub was very much the weak link in the system. I thought about getting another DD-18 as I really like the built in EQ in the sub. However, the price/performance ratio of this sub has deteriorated since its debut. It's still a great sub, but there are definitely better for the price. I started looking at the top commercial subs out there (I just don't have the time to do a DIY sub), and these include the Danley DTS-20, eD A7-900, Epik Conquest, Seaton SUBmersives, SVS PB13-ultra, Genelec HTS6, Velodyne DD-1812, and the JL Audio Gotham, among others. The Danley's form factor wouldn't work in my room as it is, and it doesn't do well in the aesthetics department (basically a long, black box). The big eD, Epik, and Seaton are a little better looking, but not by much-- basically large ported boxes. The SVS is a pretty sub, but a step below these others in performance. I've never heard the Genelec and don't know any dealers in my area. The Velodyne is a bit bigger than I would like, and the price/performance is not great as it is hideously expensive. Which leaves me with the JL, which I had on my radar anyway as I was wow'ed by Gothams in the past. So, here she is at my front door today: Just an absolute beast of a box-- every bit of 400#. It took four of us to wrestle this down to my theater while avoiding getting crushed by the thing... Moving into position: Almost there: Final set up: I'm going to run left and right subs through the Lexicon MC-12 and not run an LFE sub (LFE will just be rolled into the usual sub output). I'm going to run the 802's small (not full range) and cross them over @ 40 Hz, and use the THX 80 Hz crossover for the subs. I did the basic automatic setup and Room EQ through the Lex, and have got a lot more EQ'ing to do with the DD-18 and Gotham. It will be interesting to see if I can get these subs to play nice. Early impressions in my system: The output of the Gotham is absolutely ungodly. It just smokes the DD-18, which is not a slouch in any way. This poses the problem of having to turn down the output of the Gotham, which I am doing with the Lex. Even so, I may have to reduce the gain of the Gotham manually on the sub itself to get it just right. In very limited listening, the bass is incredibly powerful, palpable, and crisp, although I need to work on matching them with the 802D's a bit better as it feels a little too forward right now. Adjusting the EQ and crossover points will probably be in order. I had thought about going with two Gothams, but I'm glad I started with one as it is getting close to overwhelming the room at this point. I'll see how it is once I get the subs a little better dialed in-- I may or may not like how it matches with the Velodyne. Anyways, fun stuff... Last edited by Big Daddy; 01-22-2009 at 12:01 AM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
The Official Outlaw Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread	Subwoofers	Alaskankaijudude	105	03-02-2022 01:27 PM
The Official Acoustic Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread	Subwoofers	Big Daddy	3842	11-13-2018 08:23 AM
The Official Polk Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread	Subwoofers	Big Daddy	640	11-02-2017 07:15 AM
The Official Rythmik Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread	Subwoofers	Big Daddy	128	10-27-2017 07:03 PM
The Official Aperion Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread	Subwoofers	Big Daddy	44	01-30-2014 04:24 PM

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-08-2009, 12:24 AM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Holy crap Brain!!! That is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! We need a grill off shot!

01-08-2009, 12:37 AM	#3
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	SPEECHLESS !!! I CAN"T WAIT TO HEAR YOU"RE REVIEW BRAIN !!!!

01-08-2009, 12:43 AM	#4
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	You may have to adjust the placement of the subs. I am sure you are aware that room positioning is as important as the quality of the subs. I realize that it may ruin the aesthetics of your HT room, but try it and see what you will get. Start with the middle of the side walls or one in the front and one in the back. Get 4 of those Gothams and I will move in to your house.

01-08-2009, 01:06 AM	#5
Slec Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Baltimore, MD Home Theater Gallery:29 Blu-ray collection:241 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:30	Absolutely crazy, in an amazingly good way. The DD18 is a beast so I can't imagine what that Gotham is like.

01-08-2009, 01:31 AM	#6
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	Man, when I saw your name and then the list, I was like, "please tell me he got the Gotham," and then I scrolled down and saw the pic. What a beauty. I'm even more jealous if that was possible. Take some more pics!

01-08-2009, 01:34 AM	#7
prerich Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Home Theater Gallery:46 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:2

01-08-2009, 03:24 AM	#8
SDBlu Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:So Cal Blu-ray collection:171	Brain Sturgeon is my HERO!

01-08-2009, 03:29 AM	#10
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Thing of beauty! JL really knows how to do subs!

01-08-2009, 04:33 AM	#11
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	Gawd, that pic is possibly illegal in 10 states due to their laws on pornography.... Seriously, congrats on your purchase. The ultimate in home theater gets the ultimate in subwoofers.

01-08-2009, 04:42 AM	#12
jhoffs_cb7 Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Dub, Ia	i bet that motherfer pounds so fing hard god...i could only dream what do you do for a living?

01-08-2009, 11:39 AM	#13
MacDaddyOJack Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Richmond, VA PSNetwork: MacDaddyOJack Trophy Level: 12(4%) Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:71 Blu-ray reviews:23 Trading Score:4	Brain, you just upgraded from a DD-18!!! And you said it was a "little" upgrade As if I didn't want to come see a movie in your theater before, now I really do....great setup and great pics!

01-08-2009, 01:19 PM	#14
111111 Banned Member since:Mar 2008 Location:St. Louis, MO Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:95 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:10	Said it before and I'll say it again...My favorite HT period! Brain, Nice purchase mang! You need to invite all of us over for a demo someday. Ray

01-08-2009, 06:05 PM	#15
Opips2 Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Edmonton, AB Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:175 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:1	it's beautiful black gloss panio new the sub. I love your amazing the pictures! It's beautiful in room lexury home theatre! thanks review.

01-08-2009, 06:11 PM	#16
BACsader Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Cooper City FL Home Theater Gallery:29 Blu-ray collection:72 Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:1	God I love the look of that sub. I bet is sounds even better. Do you think i could put one of those in my car? JK. Nice purchase. One day, I might be able to have a setup NEARLY as decent as yours.

01-08-2009, 06:19 PM	#17
Mr. HiDef Expert Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Fox Lake IL Blu-ray collection:89	Nice upgrade Brain that is a thing of beauty

01-08-2009, 06:25 PM	#18
Marine Mike The Busey Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Ohio Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:120 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:4	You have my dream home theatre, just an FYI!

01-08-2009, 06:44 PM	#19
Footloose301 Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Fort Myers, FL Home Theater Gallery:38 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:2 Blu-ray reviews: 1	No no no! That was supposed to be shipped here! Fine. You win. I'll trade you my MFW-15 for the Gotham.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals