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#96706 - 06/30/17 10:09 PM An Ultra-X13 review
gonk Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/21/01
Posts: 14054
Loc: Memphis, TN USA
Greetings fellow gunslingers - I hadn't posted in a while (work and family obligations), but the email from Outlaw this week reminded me that I ought to drop back by the saloon.

I used an original LFM-1 from somewhere around 2004 or 2005 until this year. It's been a good sub for a long time and is still going strong at a friend's house, but it was about time for an upgrade when the Ultra-X13 cropped up so I took the plunge on an upgrade. The Audioholics reviewer's experience matches well with my own, so I'm going to skip trying to get into the same level of detail they have already posted.

If you get one, be ready for the box - it's huge and heavy, and my daughter had a lot of fun proving she could move it by pushing it across the hardwood from the front door to the den. The sub itself is a little taller and wider than the old LFM-1 (enough bigger that I could see the change, but not enough that my wife cared).

The Ultra-X13 does not look significantly different from the LFM-1, but performance is a different situation. As soon as we fired it up, my wife commented on the change. It was reminiscent of the process of trying out different speakers and electronics, or changing from a badly compressed audio source to a good lossless copy: the Ultra-X13's bass is clear and effortless, but doesn't overwhelm the rest of the audio spectrum.

Just in case somebody is on the fence about picking up an Ultra-X13 during the sale, my two cents is to take the plunge.
_________________________
gonk
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#96711 - 07/02/17 01:15 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Owl's_Warder Offline
Desperado

Registered: 06/29/01
Posts: 894
Loc: Grants Pass, OR
Thanks, gonk. Nice to see you again! It's also good to hear some impressions about real world performance. smile

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#97071 - 11/15/17 04:09 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Hank Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/30/01
Posts: 348
Loc: Austin, Texas, USA
Any other regular (or irregular) posters bought the Ultra-X13? I'm in the market for a new sub and have been considering buying two, either stereo, or more likely, both connected to the Sub output of my 975. I've read lots of good comments regarding good large room coverage with 2 (or more) subs. I'm considering 2 Outlaw Ultra-X12's or 2 Rhythmik LVX12's or perhaps building 2 W-frame OB subs with servo amps. But, this Ultra-X13 just grabbed my attention.
_________________________
"Do you expect me to talk?"
"No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

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#97081 - 11/17/17 01:43 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
EEman Offline
Desperado

Registered: 11/11/09
Posts: 514
Loc: Canton, MI
Don't have the X-13 and only one X-12, which is enough for my house.

Looking at the math you could get two X-12's for less than one X-13 and the two would have almost 30% more radiating surface area though less total amplifier power than the X-13 .

So if the extra couple of Hz extension and the THX certification don't do much for you then I'd be tempted to go for the two X-12s. The one thing that may make it worth it is that the X-13 should have less distortion.

Oh and the X-12 is about 40 lbs lighter smile

That's my 2 cents. As always YMMV.
_________________________
975/7075/SMS-1
Aperion Verus Grand Towers & Bookshelves, Verus Forte Center, Infinity Surrounds, Ultra-X12
Oppo BDP-203, XBOX360, Xbox One
LG 65" OLED
RR2150 w/Klipsch SCR-2

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#97082 - 11/17/17 02:34 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Hank Offline
Desperado

Registered: 03/30/01
Posts: 348
Loc: Austin, Texas, USA
EEman, I've read so much favorable to multiple subs, I think I'm going to go with either two X-12's or two Rythmik subs.
Thanks for your input.
_________________________
"Do you expect me to talk?"
"No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

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#97110 - 11/21/17 04:03 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Outlaw Ben Offline

Gunslinger

Registered: 10/31/13
Posts: 241
Two Ultra-X12s for $999 right now on the Black Friday Promo, or $1099 each Ultra-X13! Both products have free shipping to the 48 states during the promotion.

https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/BlackFriday2017.html

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#97297 - 12/16/17 03:32 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: Outlaw Ben]
Mountain Offline
Deputy Gunslinger

Registered: 01/26/17
Posts: 1
Loc: WV
I took advantage of the thanksgiving sale and purchased the Ultra-X13. Fits nice in my room. Love the subwoofer. Left plugs out, equalization 2 (thx recommended). I set crossovers through oppo bdp 105 and emotiva umc-200. I also manualy set distances. I use 7.1 direct analog outs from Oppo, stereo setting from umc-200 analog input (to engage subwoofer for 2.1) from oppo two channel out (direct), and HDMI for cable tv box (umc-200). I have a fairly large room, subwoofer integrates easily, and bass is effortless. Whole system has benefitted. One happy camper here. Maybe soon I'll try different port tuning, use my db phone meter more accurately, maybe even try emoQ. Haha, for now I'm just listening. Recommended.
_________________________
Emotiva UMC-200
Outlaw model 7200
Oppo BDP-105
Apple TV3
Definitive Technology BP 2000 (2), C/L/R 3000 (center), BP2X (surrounds), & C1 (center back surround)
Outlaw Ulta - X13 Subwoofer
Panasonic Viera TC-P54G10 (plasma)
Darbee Visual Presence (DVP-5000S) HDMI Video Processor
Harmony Elite
Outdoor:
Yamaha RX-V2400
Klipsch Synergy SA-1 (pair)
Klipsch AW-800-SW




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#97328 - 12/20/17 02:26 AM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Eggtuary Offline
Deputy Gunslinger

Registered: 04/26/17
Posts: 3
I have one Ultra-X12 that I really like, but I feel like I want more "oomph." I see people saying that two X12's is a nice upgrade over just one. But what if I got an X13 as my second sub? Clearly, it would be more power to have one X13 and one X12, rather than two X12's. But would it be terribly noticeable?

Then again, one review talks about how impressively tight the bass is on the X13. What if I did most of my music listening with just an X13 (where I most value clarity), but powered up the X12 to work along with it during movies?

When I use REW in my room without a sub, I'm able to control bass ringing pretty well, especially since I picked up some acoustic treatments. But as soon as I turn on my X12, I get significant ringing at 20 Hz. Now I'm wondering if that ringing is necessarily the room, or if it could also be due to the sub?

The price on the X13 right now is quite tempting, so I'm trying to figure this out in the next few days, if possible.

Thanks!

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#97333 - 12/20/17 01:20 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
XenonMan Offline
Desperado

Registered: 04/08/08
Posts: 2676
Loc: Columbus,North Carolina
Depending on your room size the two subs could be great or way too much. I have the LFM1-EX which is similar to the X12 in size and design. I use the LFM1-EX for movies mostly but it is not THX certified. The X13 is THX certified and I would expect it to excel in the THX realm which is mostly movie tracks. If you get the X13 the extra $$$ is partly due to that THX cert and I would focus it on movies. Bear in mind that depending on the crossover used and the design of the main speakers there isn't a lot of music which goes below 60 hz so the extra oomph might be wasted on music.
_________________________
Music system
Model 990/7500/Magnepan 1.6 QRs/Technics SL1200 MK2/Aperion S-12 Subwoofer/OWA3/Sony NS75H DVD
APC H15 Power Conditioner

TV System
Large Advent Loudspeakers/ Polk center/Monoprice surrounds/Panasonic Viera 42 inch/Onkyo HT-RC260/Sony BDP S590/Directv


Home Theater System
Onkyo PR-SC886/Outlaw 7125 Klipsch RF-82 L/R,RC-62 center, RB-35 SR/SL, BENQ HT1075, Outlaw LFM1-EX/OPPO BDP-83/Directv
Harmony ONE
Blue Jeans and Monoprice interconnects
APC H15 Power Conditioner

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#97336 - 12/20/17 02:32 PM Re: An Ultra-X13 review [Re: gonk]
Eggtuary Offline
Deputy Gunslinger

Registered: 04/26/17
Posts: 3
My room is almost 3000 cubic feet, and opens up (through a door and "pass-through window") to a large eat-in kitchen.

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