An Ultra-X13 review

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.

Thanks, gonk. Nice to see you again! It's also good to hear some impressions about real world performance.

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.

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

That's my 2 cents. As always YMMV.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

My room is almost 3000 cubic feet, and opens up (through a door and "pass-through window") to a large eat-in kitchen.

I too have long subscribed to the multiple sub theory, but two X13's were just too much for my theater. Fully treated room is only 2100ft3, and i could not back these monsters off enough so they would not dominate the room. At one point during an explosive action scene using DD Master 7.2, i thought maybe i just made the room bigger !
Im sending one of them back - one is plenty for me !
I will however augment the X13 with one of my smaller subs because i just have to be able to say ive got two !!

That’s good feedback, I only have one X-13 and have thought about adding another for the many benefits of having multiple subs. I found that even with only one (level matched using REW) I still had to dial back the LFE trims in the LFE menu, just wondering if you also adjusted those?

I started to do that, but i stopped myself with the logic that if i have to dial them back more than a click or two, then two subs is too much to begin with. At $1100 each (december discount), i couldnt see not utilizing their full potential.
Listening to multichannel or stereo music, which rarely got the X13's even started (probably zero content below 40Hz) was a giant waste of money. The first Master Audio 7.2 Bluray i played had a constant overpowering hum of bass energy in normal scenes that have an underlying sense of shits-going-to-happen soon ! It made the movie unwatchable, but when that storm did hit, it about blew the walls out of my room !! The same scenes with just one X13 was far more enjoyable and the big hits were still major impressive, whilst saving my wall studs !
I worked with the two X13s for a few days but the room is just too small. These things are strong !

It sounds like you had a bass node near your listening position but I would agree that two x13 is too much for 2100 ft3. Two M8s would probably have been a good choice.

Update: This X13 is incredible. Ive had a bunch of so called subwoofers over the years, including some ive made myself, but ive never really experienced true sub bass until now.
Ive left it with one port open, set to EQ1, for the lowest response curve. If the graphs ive seen are accurate, response is still very flat, but this is not its THX mode.
I watched "Edge of tomorrow" last night. There is a sound track at the very start of this movie that goes lower than ive heard anywhere before. Reviewers say it approaches 10Hz.
The X13 reproduced this at stunning pressure with no audible distortion, although it was scary strong and made me jump for the remote !
My son, two floors up, came running down to the basement thinking there was an earthquake. I swear the single foam plug is working its way out of the port !