What's unique about the brand
What reviewers are saying
We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:
- JL Audio subwoofers are designed and built in-house, allowing meticulous control over every aspect of performance, from driver design to amplifier circuitry.
- They utilize patented technologies, such as DMA (Dynamic Motor Analysis), VRC (Vented Reinforcement Collar), and FCAM (Floating Cone Attach Method), for reduced distortion and superior transient response.
- The brand's subwoofers strike a balance of power, extension, and control, suiting both demanding home theater setups and hifi two-channel music systems.
- JL Audio offers proprietary room optimization technology, DARO (Digital Automatic Room Optimization), using multiple bands of digital equalization to effectively compensate for problematic room acoustics.
Our favorite reviewer quotes:
- "The Fathom has a remarkable ability to add a subtle weight and bass foundation to some recordings—so subtle that you don't know the sub is working—and then with other music to explode out of nowhere with concussive bass impact and deep extension—the bass drum impacts on the Reference Recordings The Rite of Spring in MQA, for example." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/jl-audio-fathom-f113v2-subwoofer-and-cr-1-active-crossover)
- "The Fathom delivers low bass with no sense of strain, no smearing of pitch, no dilution of timing information, and no port-induced artifacts. In fact, the Fathom exhibits no single character that imposes itself on the music; instead the Fathom is chameleon-like in its ability to perfectly blend into a wide range of music." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/jl-audio-fathom-f113v2-subwoofer-and-cr-1-active-crossover)
- "And yet, the most telling thing about the sound of these subs isn't the sheer wall-shaking, window-rattling, chest-thumping, distortion-free loudness with which they play sforzandos and crescendos—you'd expect that from two pairs of 13.5" woofers—but, rather, their ravishing refinement on mezzofortes and pianissimos. Here is a subwoofer that is just as capable of realistically reproducing the dark, organ-like pedal point of a contrabassoon as it is the depth-charge detonation of a concert bass drum." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/jl-audio-gotham-subwoofer-and-cr-1-crossover)
- "But this subwoofer takes excellent performance up several notches, reproducing the dynamic, textural, and tonal nuances in acoustic or electric bass playing. Despite "light on its feet" agility, the e112 also delivers tremendous bottom-end authority." (https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/jl-audio-e112-subwoofer)
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Products
Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
Dominion:
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a powerful Class D amplifier, making it ideal for small spaces and budget-conscious buyers. Features a DMA optimized driver for precise sound, unlike the E-Sub which offers more power and size options. This makes it suitable for users who need a subwoofer for a small room or desktop setup without compromising on quality.
E-Sub:
- Positioning: Mid-range line, balancing performance and value.
- Description: Provides a robust performance with a long excursion driver and a proprietary switching amplifier, delivering high-quality sound in a compact form. Compared to the Dominion, offers more power and a refined design. Its top-mounted controls and finish options add to its versatility and aesthetic appeal.
Fathom v2:
- Positioning: High-performance line, designed for larger spaces and demanding applications.
- Description: Equipped with ultra-long throw W7-HT drivers and a powerful amplifier, offering exceptional low distortion and deep bass. This series is more powerful than the E-Sub, making it ideal for larger rooms or home theaters where high output and clarity are essential. Its advanced DSP and room optimization features enhance sound precision and dynamic range.
Gotham v2:
- Positioning: Flagship line, offering the ultimate in performance and luxury.
- Description: The pinnacle of JL Audio's subwoofer lineup, featuring dual 13W7-HT drivers and a 4,500-watt amplifier for groundbreaking power and control. It surpasses the Fathom series with its superior build quality and advanced technologies like D.A.R.O. Its exquisite craftsmanship and performance justify its premium price.
Used
JL Audio
Every month, we find the brand's used items for sale across the web and offline hifi stores. We have the largest database of used hifi products. Search it here.
Search hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
Similar
Subwoofers
brands
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
There isn't really anything on the market like ours. We're combining end high, audiophile speaker technology with concert speaker technology to give people the best of both worlds. There are some companies selling pro audio type speakers for home theater but they not incorporating ultra-high-end components like we are. The company KEF makes some really nice point source speakers which are acoustically similar having a concentric mid and high frequency devices. The JTR's will provide all the detail but then also much more dynamic capability. Our speakers are voiced natural and neutral so they aren't recessed but also not forward sounding.
What's your approach to customer support?
Email support direct via JTR Speakers or call/email support via dealer networks.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Jeff likes Hotel California, but we usually demo with home theater content to show the dynamics of our speakers.
What other products pair best with yours?
JBL Synthesis is likely the closest match tonality.
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
.jpeg)
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Digital High-Gain Servo Control
Velodyne was a pioneer in integrating real-time servo-feedback control in subwoofers. This patented technology uses an accelerometer to monitor and correct the diaphragm's movement with extreme precision, reducing distortion to less than 0.5%. This level of accuracy results in exceptionally clean, accurate bass even at high output levels, something most competitors can’t achieve.
Auto-EQ Plus Room Calibration
We also stand out with our Auto-EQ Plus system, which adapts the subwoofer’s output to the acoustics of any given room. Using a microphone for measurement, the system automatically adjusts the bass response for optimal performance, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustments.
What's your approach to customer support?
Customer support is extremely important to us. In most cases, customers should reach out to their local dealer or distributor first; they are trained to assist and provide fast, local solutions. However, our service team in Germany is always available for direct assistance when needed. We offer in-house repairs, spare parts (even for many legacy models), and we try to go above and beyond with trade-in options and consultation to keep Velodyne Acoustics products performing for decades.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
"Royals" by Lorde (for tight, controlled bass dynamics)
"Why So Serious?" by Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight OST) (for deep extension and subsonic detail)
"No Sanctuary Here" by Chris Jones (for weight and rhythm in lower registers)
What other products pair best with yours?
We often see fantastic synergy with Wilson Audio speakers. Their clarity and dynamic range complement our fast, articulate subwoofers beautifully. For two-channel and home cinema alike, it’s a powerful match.
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
