Paradigm or JL subwoofer

Hi Bob,

The Fathom f112 has automatic room correction (D.A.R.O.) and comes with its own calibrated mic. A nice feature if you setting up your own system, especially if you are a novice with subs, but you mentioned that your dealer will be doing the set-up so you will be paying for something you will not be using.

The Paradigm has ARC (Anthem Room Correction) but I don't know if that is operational right out of the box or if you need to buy an accessory to make it work, but again if the dealer is doing the set-up, they should be able to supply the necessary tools for optimal operation.

Sound quality should not be an issue, with proper set-up, either one should sound good. The Fathom cycles 3 Hz lower than the Paradigm per their respective specs. In reality that is just going to give you a little more room shake. Is that room shake worth 6 grand? That is your call.

As it has already been mentioned, the most important part for obtaining the best sound quality will be the crossover, which you already have in your receiver/processor, make sure the dealer uses it in their set-up. 

@audiorusty thanks for your comment. I should have stated from the beginning that my main concern is music. I love my home theater set up now with 5.1.4 with the Paradigm sub. I love to watch Atmos movies for the Atmos effects. Right now I am in the middle of Tomorrow War, I'm not watching for the story, I am watching to enjoy my Atmos system. I am very satisfied, not looking for better, If it is improved with new equipment it will be a bonus. What I am really interested is great sounding music. My system sounds ok as is for music but I want to make it not just sound better but to make me feel better while listening. I have heard systems in different showrooms that do this for me. I am probably going to replace my Node 2i with a Lumin T2, add an amp for my front three speakers and make some other changes. I know spending a lot on two subs would be great for Home Theater but I am thinking that for listening to Qobuz I don't need to overspend. I'm sure I made a mistake spending $3000 on the Paradigm SW 1000 sub, but I think spending another $3000 for a second is a better option for me than spending so much on JL. I need to talk to my dealer about it 

That’s what I was told in a showroom, that the JL’s go way deeper than the Paradigm.

It shouldn’t be hard to find specs or measurements online to see if that’s true.

JL subs are costly and solid physically. But still, the sound of any sub will depend on good setup. I have had two JL F112 for 14 years. Between them, they have been back to JL four times for repairs (not four times each). The last time, to JL’s credit, they looked at the history and did the repair for free. The F112s sound great in my system. They should -- I’ve spent hours positioning them and fine-tuning the DSP crossovers and PEQ (in my Anthem stereo preamp) I use to get the bass flat at the listening position.

Regarding PEQ in a sub: It can help, but it works only up to the crossover frequency, of course. The Schroeder frequency typically is one or two octaves above that, and room effects can be important for an octave more. So sub PEQ is a partial solution.

I agree with the comment by @james633 --

Sub integration is far more important then the sub itself. I would use the “saved” money for a highpass crossover. It will do more for you than any sub or system upgrade. The JL C-R1 is a good option and Bryston 10b-sub is another.

Good luck!

thanks for the response. I have decided to buy another Paradigm SW1000. Too many comments about the reliability of the JL's has convinced me. I probably don't need to spend $3000 on a second sub but I would worry that mixing subs would not be as good as two the same

Good call to stick with what you have. You will be happy with that. 
Each time my JL E112s broke they changed out all of the electronics. This last time they change everything (including the driver) but the box. I basically had 4 subs fail. My current two have been going strong for about two months…. Fingers crossed.