Page 2 - Fathom; IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS; e lightning fl ash with arrowhead; TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,; CAUTION; RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK; e exclamation point within an
Page 2 | Fathom f212 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1) Read the Instructions — All safety and operating instructions should be read before the subwoofer is operated. 2) Retain the Instructions — Th e safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. 3) Heed Warnings — All war...
Page 3 - 4) Lightning and Power Surges; WARNING
Page 3 | Fathom f212 12) Cleaning — Th e subwoofer should be cleaned only as recommended in the operating instructions. 13) Nonuse Periods — Th e power cord of the subwoofer should be unplugged from the outlet when the subwoofer is left unused for long periods of time. 14) Lightning and Power Surges...
Page 4 - FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT; Congratulations on your purchase of a JL Audio; FATHOM; SUBWOOFERS
Page 4 | Fathom f212 FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT NOTE: Th is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Th ese limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. Th is equipment generates, uses...
Page 5 - PRODUCT OVERVIEW; If you require assistance, we urge you to contact your authorized; IMPORTANT
Page 5 | Fathom f212 We sincerely thank you for your purchase and invite you to read this manual thoroughly in order to achieve the highest level of performance with your Fathom subwoofer system. Enjoy. PRODUCT OVERVIEW JL Audio Fathom subwoofers combine a state-of-the-art JL Audio subwoofer driver ...
Page 6 - PLACING YOUR FATHOM IN YOUR LISTENING ROOM:; room, near the front left or right speaker.
Page 6 | Fathom f212 PLACING YOUR FATHOM IN YOUR LISTENING ROOM: Your listening room or theater is an integral part of your sound reproduction system. Th e physical dimensions of the room and its furnishings, materials, doors and windows play an important role in defi ning how your system sounds. Wh...
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Page 7 | Fathom f212 . 0 3 & * / 5 & / 4 & 4.005)&3 3&$0..&/%&% 46#800'&3 1-"$&.&/5 ;0/&4 'PS4JOHMF4VCXPPGFS 4.00 5)&3 4.00 5)&3 . 0 3 & * / 5 & / 4 & 4.005)&3 4.00 5)&3 4.00 5)&3 $0.130.*4&%4&"5*/(104*5*0/4 ...
Page 8 - SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUILT-IN INSTALLATIONS; adequate cooling and connector clearance.
Page 8 | Fathom f212 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUILT-IN INSTALLATIONS Fathom subwoofers are designed to be “built-in” friendly. All typically needed controls are located on the front panel above the woofer. A Fathom can be easily integrated into custom cabinetry by following a few simple guidelines...
Page 9 - Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Two Fathoms; When using two Fathoms, try
Page 9 | Fathom f212 Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Two Fathoms Using Two Fathoms When using two Fathoms, try placement near the front corners of the room, at diagonally-opposite corners of the room, or at the center points of opposing walls as shown at right. Experimentation with subwo...
Page 10 - Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Three Fathoms; Research indicates that the
Page 10 | Fathom f212 Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Three Fathoms Recommended Subwoofer Placement Options for Four Fathoms Using Three or Four Fathoms Research indicates that the smoothest bass response for a large listening area can be achieved using four subwoofers, placing one at th...
Page 11 - Detailed instructions on unpacking the subwoofer:; calibration microphone and power cord.; e subwoofer; UNPACKING YOUR FATHOM
Page 11 | Fathom f212 Detailed instructions on unpacking the subwoofer: 1. Place the carton on the fl oor near its intended location in the room. 2. Open the top of the carton (observe markings on carton) and remove the manual, calibration microphone and power cord. 3. Temporarily remove the split-f...
Page 12 - Front Control Panel
Page 12 | Fathom f212 Front Control Panel Th e labeled Figure below depicts the front control panel of a Fathom f212 subwoofer. A.R.O. page 14-15 Power page 14 Input Mode page 15 Level Mode page 15 Master Level page 16 Lights page 16 LP Filter page 16 LP freq. (Hz) page 16 e.l.f. trim (dB) page 17 p...
Page 13 - Rear Controls and Connectors
Page 13 | Fathom f212 Rear Controls and Connectors Th e labeled Figure below depicts the rear panel of a Fathom f212 subwoofer. Balanced Inputs page 18 Unbalanced Inputs page 19 IEC-Style AC Connector page 21 Output to Slave Connector page 21 Input Mode Switches page 20
Page 14 - FRONT PANEL CONTROLS IN DETAIL; Power Switch
Page 14 | Fathom f212 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS IN DETAIL Power Switch Th e “Power” switch determines the operational readiness of the Fathom subwoofer and should be the only switch used to turn the Fathom on and off . Do not use a power strip switch, switched outlet or any other external switch as these...
Page 15 - Demo Button
Page 15 | Fathom f212 Demo Button Th e Demo button triggers a 20 second long tone sequence that briefl y demonstrates the signals used during A.R.O. calibration. Th e Demo function is useful for showcasing the output capability of the Fathom and to verify that the Fathom (or multiple Fathoms) are op...
Page 16 - Master Level Knob
Page 16 | Fathom f212 Master Level Knob Th e Master Level Knob is used to control the output level of the Fathom when the Variable Level mode is selected on the front control panel. When rotated fully counter clockwise, the Fathom’s output will be fully muted. When at the “0” or straight up position...
Page 17 - Polarity
Page 17 | Fathom f212 E.L.F. Trim Th e Extreme Low Frequency (“e.l.f. trim”) knob allows the user to apply a certain amount of signal equalization at 25 Hertz (extremely low bass). At full counterclockwise rotation, the signal at 25 Hz is cut by 12 dB. At “0” the equalizer is set fl at for zero cont...
Page 18 - CONNECTING YOUR FATHOM; Balanced Inputs; e Left and Right inputs on the Fathom
Page 18 | Fathom f212 CONNECTING YOUR FATHOM Balanced Inputs If your home-theater receiver or preamplifi er/processor provides balanced outputs, the Fathom’s balanced inputs are the preferred connection. Balanced connections are used extensively in professional studios and sound reinforcement applic...
Page 19 - Unbalanced Inputs
Page 19 | Fathom f212 Unbalanced Inputs Th e Fathom subwoofer features individual left and right unbalanced RCA- type input connectors. Th ese are the most commonly used connectors for home audio applications and must be used if your receiver or preamplifi er/processor does not provide balanced outp...
Page 20 - “Grounded / Isolated” Switch; is feature is included to deal with the signal; Master / Slave Switch; e Fathoms are designed to easily accommodate the implementation
Page 20 | Fathom f212 Input Mode Switches: Two switches are located on the rear panel to control unbalanced signal grounding and master/slave operation. “Grounded / Isolated” Switch Th e “Grounded / Isolated” Input Mode switch aff ects only the unbalanced RCA inputs and is designed to facilitate a q...
Page 21 - “Output to Slave” Connector; Fathom’s “Left or Mono” XLR balanced input.; IEC-Style AC Connector
Page 21 | Fathom f212 “Output to Slave” Connector If you are operating more than one Fathom subwoofer in one home theater system, you will designate one Fathom as the Master (see page 20), and then feed signal from it to the remaining “Slave” Fathoms via this balanced XLR output. Th e “Output to Sla...
Page 22 - TURN OFF THE FATHOM AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT IN THE
Page 22 | Fathom f212 SYSTEM CONNECTION DIAGRAM 1:One Fathom to Home Theater Receiver or Home Theater Preamp/Processor Most home theater receivers and preamp/processors provide a single (mono) subwoofer output. When connecting a mono subwoofer output to your Fathom, you will only use the Fathom’s “L...
Page 26 - RECOMMENDED SETUP PROCEDURES; On your Home Theater Receiver or Preamp/Processor:; is; Speaker Distance; Set all tone controls to “0” and defeat all equalizer features.; On your Active Crossover or Bass Management Processor:; Set the subwoofer output level to “0” or its middle position.
Page 26 | Fathom f212 RECOMMENDED SETUP PROCEDURES 1) Preparation for Setup Process: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27 2) Level Setting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 3) P...
Page 27 - On the Fathom’s Front Panel:; Flip each Fathom’s “Power” switch to the “On” position.; “Input Mode” Indicator Lights; Flip the master Fathom’s “Level Mode” switch to the “REF” position.; “LP Filter” Switch; Rotate the “LP Freq.” knob to the “80 Hz” position.; “Polarity” Switch; Flip the “Polarity” switch to “0”.
Page 27 | Fathom f212 On the Fathom’s Front Panel: Please turn off the home theater receiver or preamp/processor to make these adjustm ents. 1. “Power” Switch Flip each Fathom’s “Power” switch to the “On” position. 2. “Lights” Switch Flip each Fathom’s “Lights” switch to the “On” position. If you do...
Page 28 - Subwoofer System Setup:; is method is more immune to tampering; ) Polarity and Phase Adjustment; can easily hear the changes from the primary listening seat.
Page 28 | Fathom f212 RECOMMENDED SETUP PROCEDURES (continued) Subwoofer System Setup: Once you have set the controls on your home theater receiver or preamp/ processor and on your Fathom(s) to the settings recommended on pages 26 and 27, you are ready to begin setting up your Fathom for optimum per...
Page 30 - is control allows -12 dB of cut or +3 dB of boost at 25 Hertz and is; Your Fathom is now optimized for maximum bass performance at your; IF YOU MOVE YOUR FATHOM OR PRIMARY LISTENING SEAT
Page 30 | Fathom f212 h) Within 5 seconds of pressing the “Calibrate” button, return to your primary listening seat and hold the microphone in your normal, seated head position at the approximate height of your ears. i) A series of quick, stepped tones will begin which are used by the A.R.O. soft wa...
Page 31 - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS; Can I place objects on my subwoofer?
Page 31 | Fathom f212 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can I place objects on my subwoofer? We do not recommend placing any items on the subwoofer cabinet as they may vibrate, causing undesirable noise and possible damage to the fi nish. Under no circumstances should any object containing liquid be placed...
Page 32 - CLEANING YOUR FATHOM
Page 32 | Fathom f212 CLEANING YOUR FATHOM Dust your Fathom subwoofer’s cabinet using a clean, soft microfi ber cloth or feather duster. Microfi ber cloths are commonly available where automotive detailing supplies are sold. Gloss-black models: Light smudges can generally be wiped off with a clean m...
Page 33 - TROUBLESHOOTING; Test subwoofer using DEMO button on front panel – if sub emits demo
Page 33 | Fathom f212 TROUBLESHOOTING No sound from subwoofer. 1. Verify that Fathom is plugged in, turned “ON” & that front panel lights are “ON”. If the Fathom will not power up, check the circuit breaker that feeds its outlet. 2. Test subwoofer using DEMO button on front panel – if sub emits ...
Page 35 - LIMITED WARRANTY / SERVICE INFORMATION; workmanship for a period of; If you need service on your JL AUDIO product:
Page 35 | Fathom f212 LIMITED WARRANTY / SERVICE INFORMATION JL AUDIO warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase. Damage caused by the following is not covered under warranty: accident, misuse, abuse, pr...
Page 36 - FEATURES; Master or Slave; Low Pass Filter Mode:; Off , 12 dB per octave or 24 dB per octave; Low Pass Filter Cutoff Frequency:; Variable from 0 – 280 degrees
H W D Specifications f212 fathom home subwoofer Enclosure Type: Sealed Driver: Dual 12-inch (nominal diameter) Frequency Response (anechoic): 20 - 97 Hz (+/- 1.5 dB)-3 dB at 19 / 110 Hz-10 dB at 15 / 157 Hz Effective Piston Area: 168 sq. in. / 0.1084 sq. m. Effective Displacement: 574 cu. in. (9.4 l...