Ultra Subs SS-6 Componets

Reviews for car audio, or general products.
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mr tibbs
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Ultra Subs SS-6 Componets

Post by mr tibbs »

Well, I finally got around to installing these today and so far I am very pleased. I can't wait to get them in the FJ and try them with the passives. Instead of copying and pasting the entire initial review I did over on DIY I'll just link you guys to it here. Please take a look and I'll update this thread as needed. Let me know what you guys think and if you have any questions please ask away! :metal:
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Post by mr tibbs »

Just a quick update guys. I ran into a little snag with the FJ so I still have these in the car, and I'm still loving them. I have a dash kit and a wiring harness for the FJ on the way and it should be here on Tuesday. I'm installing a Kenwood XXV-01D in the FJ and finally ditching the stock deck. So hopefully by the end of the week I should have these installed into the FJ and have some initial thought for you guys. Thanks for being patient with me guys and sorry to the guys at Ultra for taking sooo long. I am enjoying them in the car though!!
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Post by denim »

Keep up the good work Tibbs. I recently read the PE BS topic, and it only made me more interested in your review. :)
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Post by mr tibbs »

Well guys, I finally got these installed into the FJ. It is a HUGE improvement!! You can read my initial thoughts here as well as see the comparison pics.

To be fair to the Exiles, when I initially did the install in the FJ I was after something completely different. I initially set it up for the wife as just something to upgrade from stock. Now that I have taken over the FJ I have been craving something totally different. The Ultra's have answered this craving. I would not hesitate to use the Exiles again in a vehicle for my wife, but for me I needed more.

I'll update this again when I get some more listening time in. As always ask away if you have questions!


And Denim, isn't that Peter Euro something??!! As soon as I figured out that he is nothing more than an attention whore who will say anything to get the pot stirred up he kind of lost all appeal. It took me a minute, but I finally figure him out. :wink:
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Post by stipud »

So really it's

- Ultra Components
- Sound deadening
- New headunit

Versus the Exile components...
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Post by mr tibbs »

I would axe the sound deadning. I already had the doors done, I just hit the door panels today with the sound deadning. Also, I have been riding around with the Exiles' running off of the new headunit for about a week now. It was an improvement switching out the headunit, but not nearly as much as swapping out the Exiles for the Ultras. The Ultra's have so much more midbass that it's almost stupid. Then again, I was using the shallow mount Exiles so I'm not sure it's a fair fight. :wink:
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Post by denim »

Wish I could hear the pair of components. As I would love it if SSA could carry either brand. And Sgt. Tibbs, yes that is who I was referring to. ;)
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Final thoughts

Post by mr tibbs »

Well, after playing with these comps for over a month I feel like I can finally give my final thoughts on the set. There is one more thing I am going to do, but I'm not sure when I am going to get around to it so I'll go ahead and wrap this up.

First are my thoughts running these active in my car. What can I say, I really, really liked these. I felt like they worked better than my current set up (seas mids and LPG tweets) because of a few factors. Number 1, these were a lot easier for me to blend with my sub stage. For some reason in my car I have always felt like I am fighting to blend the Seas with my sub stage, but not with the Ultra mids. After a few adjustments I kinda felt like the "line" between my sub and the mids just went away. It was very nice to listen to while I had them in there. And number 2, this comp set was very easy to EQ. I'm not a pro at EQ'ing so it seems like I am always making adjustments even after having my set up in the car for a couple of years now. But, as soon as I threw the Ultra set in there and got it adjusted I really didn't have to mess with it at all. Also, using the Ultra gear my EQ was a lot closer to being flat that it has been in many years. I don't really think that it will be the same for every application, but that was the case in mine. The one hangup I had with the Ultra set was the tweet. It was a little bright for my tastes, but I was able to mellow it down with some EQ'ing. All in all as an active set I give this set a solid 9 out of 10.

Now in the FJ I am running them passive using the provided passive x-over. I replaced the existing Exile set with the Ultra's and it has been a HUGE difference. I know the Exile set is a shallow mount set, but they were still supposed to have some good midbass. Well, after installing the Ultra's I can tell you that the Exile's were not preforming. Giving them both the same power and the same signal the Ultra's are blowing them away. I could go on and on about what a difference these have made, but I think you get the point. In the FJ the Ultra's are really shining. I'm still having soem staging issues, but this is all about the placement of the tweet. That is what I have to change next. Even though the staging is off I am still very impressed with this set. Again, because of the added midbass I have now been able to blend my sub stage with the front stage. Also, once again I feel that the tweets are a little bright for my tastes, but I have been able to tame them with some EQ'ing. This problem could also be caused by the horrible stock location of the tweets. I plan to make some tweet pods and try to aim the the tweets better and see if this is part of the problem. In the FJ running them passive I again give this set a solid 9 out of 10.

So, after having this set for over a month and playing with them in two different vehicles I give them a solid 9 out of 10. The only thing holding me back from giving them a 10 is the bright tweet. The mids really seem to be the star of this set. They provide very solid midbass, yet blend well with the tweets. I guess this is to be expected from a sub company! After having this set it really makes me want to try out an Ultra sub. After all, that is their specialty! I have really enjoyed this set in both vehicles and would highly recommend them to anyone. And to those who have asked, yes, I do feel that this set is worth the $499 price tag. If you take a look at the competition in this price range I really do feel like Ultra is right where they need to be. It might be a steep price for some people, but I do not feel anyone would be disappointed with this set.

In closing I would like to thank Ultra subs and Murph for giving me the chance at reviewing this set. And Ant for the Second Skin, that has really killed all of the rattles in the door panels that I had in the FJ. I apologize for the length of time this review has taken, but I wanted to get it right. I hope I have done right by you guys, this has been a blast!!
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Post by denim »

Nice work Tibbs! I need to call Lambros.
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Post by mr tibbs »

denim wrote:Nice work Tibbs! I need to call Lambros.
Call him up, or maybe get a hold of Murph on SD. Either way I think your companies would make a great pair! 8)
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Post by denim »

mr tibbs wrote:
denim wrote:Nice work Tibbs! I need to call Lambros.
Call him up, or maybe get a hold of Murph on SD. Either way I think your companies would make a great pair! 8)
Already talked to murph on DIYma, and he forwarded me on to Lambros. So I need to contact him next, your review was a deciding factor to contact them. :)
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Post by mr tibbs »

I really do wish there were more reviews out there. Maybe there will be if you guys can strike deal! I really do like this set, and I don't think anyone would be disappointed even at this price point. It would be nice to demo a sub as well. Maybe we can talk Lambros or Murph into something like we did here with the Dcon! :)
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