JL Audio Fathom f112 Subwoofer Reviewed
- By: Jerry Del Colliano
- - Reviewer's System
- Category:
- Audio Reviews, Equipment Reviews, Subwoofer Reviews
- Resources & Links:
- Active Subwoofer ,
- JL Audio ,
- View Jerry Del Colliano's Reviews
- October 20, 2008
JL Audio, a leader in car audio products, has made a bold, high-end statement in the audiophile and home theater market with a number of very high-performance and high-dollar subwoofers that are designed to quite simply rock your world. The JL Audio Fathom f112 is a $2,200 ($2,400 with a gloss black finish) subwoofer that packs a 12-inch driver and a whopping 1500 watts of power. It weights over 115 pounds, which is absurd, considering this isn't the largest subwoofer you have ever seen. Amazingly, it is about half of the weight of its bigger brother, the Gotham. Overall, all of JL Audio's subs are built to unbelievable tolerances.
The JL Audio Fathom f112's controls are somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day Marshall guitar, amp including a one-quarter-inch jack for the setup mic used for the room correction on the woofer. These DSP-based EQ systems have gotten very sophisticated these days and, within minutes, the average consumer has a chance to elicit room-optimized sound from his or her woofer without a degree in acoustics or $50,000 in test equipment.
The driver on the JL Audio Fathom f112 is a modern marvel. It has an astonishing three-inch excursion and can rock you to your soul. The measured response of the woofer is to a low but not subsonic level of 24 Hz, but the effect seems lower when you listen to the woofer.
High Points
• Power, power and more power is this subwoofer's calling card. The JL Audio Fathom f112 goes low and loud.
• The build quality is impressive, which will come as a surprise for some who think a JL home theater subwoofer is nothing more than some meth addict's backseat car audio subwoofer box covered with cheap, stained carpet. This subwoofer is truly a fine component.
• Not all woofers today have room correction, but JL Audio's is easy to use and effective.
Low Points
• Be careful where you place the woofer as, at 115 pounds, you can do damage to floors and/or furniture, to say nothing of seriously pissing off the neighbors if you live with any shared walls.
• Other high-end woofer manufacturers offer more finish options beyond black and gloss black. Think MartinLogan's custom shop or Wilson painting their woofers in PPG car paint colors. I would pay more for this woofer in a better color in the event it couldn't be hidden in my room somewhere.
Conclusion
This subwoofer is a total monster. Powerful and able to move some serious air, the JL Audio Fathom f112 at its price is a killer. Yes, it's an expensive woofer, but it also is fast, deep and has the spank to get you as low (and as loud) as you ever might want to go for your music and movies.
Keywords
JL Audio, Car Audio subwoofers for Home Theater, Room Correction, Powered Subwoofer, Point 1
- Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series ...
- Definitive Technology Super Cub...
- Definitive Technology SuperCube...
- Definitive Technology SuperCube...
- Definitive Technology Trinity S...
- Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Review...
- Home Theater Review 2009 Best o...
- Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen ...
- Infinity PSW310W Wireless Subwo...
- JBL WEM-1 Wireless Expansion Mo...
- JL Audio Fathom f112 Subwoofer ...
- JL Audio Gotham Subwoofer Revie...
- MartinLogan Depth i Subwoofer R...
- MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer...
- MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer...
- Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer R...
- Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Subwoofer...
- Paradigm Servo 15v2 Subwoofer R...
- Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Revie...
- Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker...
- REL Acoustics Britannia B2 Subw...
- REL Acoustics T1 Subwoofer Revi...
- Revel Performa B15a Subwoofer R...
- Revel Ultima SUB 30 Subwoofer R...
- Subwoofer Reviews & Information...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Revie...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signa...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer Super Ju...
- Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In...
- Velodyne SMS-1 Subwoofer Proces...
- Wilson Audio Thor's Hammer Subw...
Featured Audio-Video News
Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation -
It isn't any news that the economy is in the dumps. Morphing your living room, garage or basement into the...
Latest Subwoofer Reviews
Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -
For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...
Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
A major problem in the past with small and compact subwoofers was their inability to deliver strong and deep low-end to the average soundstage. Outlaw Audio's design team was well aware of this challenge when they started developing the ECS-10... Click for more...
Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
Energy is an audio manufacturer that is fairly well known for developing quality speakers at a mid-range price and now they are slowly getting into producing a more high-end subwoofer product line starting with the ESW-V10. The list price for... Click for more...
Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Reviewed -
The Paradigm Signature SUB 25 is the biggest, baddest subwoofer in Paradigm's extensive product line-up. I recently reviewed Paradigm's Studio speakers with their Studio SUB 15 subwoofer. The Signature SUB 25 is outwardly similar to the Studio SUB 15, but... Click for more...
Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -
If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current, top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i, is similar to its predecessor in overall design but features significant... Click for more...
Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen Powered Subwoofer -
Infinity Cascade Series loudspeakers have a distinctively appealing design--sleek and thin with curved and tapered baffles. They're so pretty that it would be a shame to mate them with a boxy, clunky subwoofer. This fact is not lost on Infinity,... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i is similar to its predecessor in overall design, but features significant... Click for more...
Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker System Reviewed -
The Paradigm Studio v.5 series was introduced at CES 2009 as the fifth iteration of the Studio series. The Studio series was first introduced about a decade ago and, as the version number implies, it has been updated as new... Click for more...
Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series Loudspeakers Reviewed -
It didn't take me long to realize that this wasn't going to be your normal product review. Not because the product, Bowers & Wilkins' new CT 700 series loudspeaker, is either bad or wholly unique, but because, unlike other traditional... Click for more...
Latest Subwoofer Reviews
Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -
For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...
Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
A major problem in the past with small and compact subwoofers was their inability to deliver strong and deep low-end to the average soundstage. Outlaw Audio's design team was well aware of this challenge when they started developing the ECS-10... Click for more...
Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
Energy is an audio manufacturer that is fairly well known for developing quality speakers at a mid-range price and now they are slowly getting into producing a more high-end subwoofer product line starting with the ESW-V10. The list price for... Click for more...
Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Reviewed -
The Paradigm Signature SUB 25 is the biggest, baddest subwoofer in Paradigm's extensive product line-up. I recently reviewed Paradigm's Studio speakers with their Studio SUB 15 subwoofer. The Signature SUB 25 is outwardly similar to the Studio SUB 15, but... Click for more...
Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -
If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current, top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i, is similar to its predecessor in overall design but features significant... Click for more...
Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen Powered Subwoofer -
Infinity Cascade Series loudspeakers have a distinctively appealing design--sleek and thin with curved and tapered baffles. They're so pretty that it would be a shame to mate them with a boxy, clunky subwoofer. This fact is not lost on Infinity,... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i is similar to its predecessor in overall design, but features significant... Click for more...
Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker System Reviewed -
The Paradigm Studio v.5 series was introduced at CES 2009 as the fifth iteration of the Studio series. The Studio series was first introduced about a decade ago and, as the version number implies, it has been updated as new... Click for more...
Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series Loudspeakers Reviewed -
It didn't take me long to realize that this wasn't going to be your normal product review. Not because the product, Bowers & Wilkins' new CT 700 series loudspeaker, is either bad or wholly unique, but because, unlike other traditional... Click for more...
Latest Equipment Reviews
Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition Universal Player Reviewed -
Oppo Digital's first Blu-ray player the BDP-83 entered the market in mid 2009 to numerous accolades. A mere half year later, Oppo Digital, not satisfied with the untapped performance potential of the player, released the BDP-83 Special Edition reviewed here.... Click for more...
Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -
Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...
Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -
Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...
Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -
Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...
OmniMount Link Series A/V Stands Reviewed -
As its name suggests, OmniMount's Link Series is a modular line of A/V stands that you can mix and match to craft the exact entertainment solution you need. You can also add on as your system grows. The Link Series,... Click for more...
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.5 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed -
I've been a fan of Paradigm for years, owning and enjoying seemingly every speaker in their product line from the awesome and affordable Atoms to their flagship Signature S8s. Over the years there have been two Paradigm speaker designs that... Click for more...
Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -
When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...
OmniMount VideoBasics TV Mounts Reviewed -
You've spent the extra money to buy an ultra-thin HDTV. The last thing you want to do is hinder the minimalist look by mating the TV with a bulky wall-mount. OmniMount designed the VideoBasics line of flat-panel TV mounts with... Click for more...
OmniMount OmniLite TV Mounts Reviewed -
Wait, an environmentally friendly TV mount? Yes, it's true. OmniMount's OmniLite Series of fixed, tilt, and cantilever mounts is touted as the company's first eco-friendly line of flat-panel TV mounts. So what exactly makes an eco-friendly mount? In this case,... Click for more...
Parasound Halo JC 2 Preamplifier Reviewed -
If you're an audiophile, you almost certainly know of the Parasound company, a manufacturer of high-end audio/video electronics (and other products) that are of extremely high quality, yet are not stratospherically priced. Halo is Parasound's premium line of components. (The... Click for more...





Comment on this article
3This is a major achievement for a company that is known for car audio products. A total departure from home audio. It says a lot for JL that at their first attempt, they were highly successful.
I must assume this sub is for large rooms and media situations. For the question is., do you need a subwoofer like this in your home, probably not, but would we like one, YES!!!
you need TWO if you are a REAL man.
These are not car audio crap. These subs are VERY nicely made and VERY powerful.
I have two of these set in a mono config. and the power and slam on these is just mind boggling. The whole house shakes when the cannons are firing in the Master and Commander blu-ray, and any other decent soundtrack you care to name. I do not even have lossless audio yet!
Post a Comment