Morel Ultimo 12 Subwoofer

Product Details
Manufacturer: Morel
Distributor: Flagship Distribution
Website: http://www.morelhifi.com
Typical Selling price: £599.99
Here’s an interesting one, folks. It’s a long termer review. Done by a mate of a mate called Hayeso . The mate is HONDAMAN, who is a mad self-build audiophile from oop north, who sold his Morel Ultimo 12 super-duper subwoofer driver on to his chum Hayeso, both of whom are Talk Audio forum people. It has taken some time but the brief little assessment I had hoped for in return for a keen price, gained for a known-good audiophile installer, has come back as a thumping great 100-hour super-in-depth live-with-it review of such fabulous detail and quality that I was just thrilled. The editing needed was all but non-existent and mostly stuff like TA magazine using ‘˜in’ for inch and not just quote marks and the lovely balanced approach, complete with a bit of mind-changing, speaks of utter truth. Hayeso used a slightly different rating system to me but it translated to the normal one very well and furthermore, I think cements both this products’ worthiness and Talk Audio’s need to declare an item of Reference quality. So, read on and enjoy a full in-depth user-review of the fabulous Morel Ultimo 12 subwoofer. Our first long-termer review and frankly, it’ll be a damn hard act to follow as it’s so well written!
I think this dude’s after my job
From here on, it’s Hayeso. (Adam Rayner On Line Editor)
The Morel Ultimo 12in subwoofer has been designed for the ultimate quality and after the rumours, price tag (£800- £1,000) and the company’s reputation I was eager to have a listen to this subwoofer. My expectations were very high, bearing in mind the aforementioned price tag, rumours and the look of it once I’d taken it out of the box. Cast chassis, carbon fibre cone, 5.1in voice coil and 1,000 watts RMS power handling! Then add all the in house technologies like Hexatech, PFS and Uniflow!
The system that I’d be integrating the subwoofer into is as follows – Pioneer DEH-P88 RSII head unit, Genesis DA110 amplifier (modified with Burr Brown tweak plus more) running Genesis Absolute 2.2 speakers up front and a Kicker ZR600 amp on subwoofer duties. All signal and power cables are Connection by Audison. I tried the Morel Ultimo in a 0.8 cu. Ft. box but thought the frequency response was a little restricted, so tried a 1.15 cu Ft. enclosure, with a double thickness baffle, which has proven very impressive.
At first, although running it in, I was a little disappointed. I had been hopeful that with the 1,000 watts RMS rating it might pound hard as well as sing beautifully but this subwoofer has a low sensitivity at mid 80’s in decibels at a metre, so it needs that power to get the cone moving. Don’t get me wrong, the sound quality was lovely and bearing in mind I was comparing it to a Genesis Audiophile 30.01 which for the money is unbeatable in sound quality and power in the right box. The Morel wasn’t quite doing it for me still after a month in the car. Although I don’t do as many miles as I used to, it must have had over a hundred hours of music through it.
After six weeks of running in, at last, the Morel Ultimo was sounding as though it had legs. So with my normal eclectic mixture of test tracks I listened whilst driving and also sat looking at lovely views of the country side away from residential areas. After my initial disappointment that this subwoofer isn’t the ultimate all rounder for me (I’ll explain why later) I did find that it is the best sounding subwoofer that I’ve ever heard in this price bracket.
Listening Tests
Six Blade Knife – Dire Straits from Dire Straits (Remastered)
Firstly I have to say the Morel Ultimo integrates so well it’s not even in the system! It is so quick, snappy and responsive there is just no presence of it, everything comes from the front sound stage.
The track immediately starts with the kick drum and bass guitar which just makes you sigh. Mmmmm. The Ultimo sounds so natural and is able to effortlessly present the kick drum and bass guitar separately and yet as one at the same time.
From Dusk Till Dawn – Tribaluderz
A track I use for the more delicate and subtle reviewing that can leave a subwoofer exposed. Again, the Morel really doesn’t exist, perfect integration and so natural with no bloating as some subs can do.
Use Me – Junior Wells
The one thing that is apparent in this track was that the sub played the kick drum with attack and speed to the point that the double bass became an extension of the kick drum which just sounds superb. The Ultimo also beautifully re-enforced the mid-bass playing the resonance off the drum skins with the roll across the dash.
Childhood Dreams – Nelly Furtado
I admit that I’m not an eager organ listener, but when it gets mixed into a modern track I can see the appeal. The starting sequence of this track really does take some beating for weight, scale, passion and emotion. Oh and depth, which the Ultimo dishes out in dump loads and then in the second part of the intro pulls it back to nurture Nelly’s vocals when they come in.
Respect – Lucky Dube
A percussion extravaganza with drums rolls across the dash (starting at 2.30 mins) with seamless integration with the front mids to give endless deep extension to the bass guitar whilst giving a snappy, punchy kick to the chest. Note: Must play loud!
Moving onto more modern, digital music like Dance, Dub and Electronica, I listened to the following favourite tracks –
Need to Feel Loved (Adam K and Soha Vocal Mix) – Reflekt
This track starts with a bass note that is dead, unemotional but then kicks into life with an additional seductive silky smooth bass line that the Ultimo plays with gusto, it’s tight and punchy with great extension and no over hang.
Mr P. Star – Cicada
What can I say! Deep, punchy, powerful and with weight behind it. Even with all this going on the Ultimo is dexterous enough to play the fiddling bass guitar rift with agility!
Saws and Sines (Anil Chawla and Dale Anderson Remix) – Stu Hirst
* please see side note
I use this track to really test the subwoofers subsonics and output. Well… for me I needed more, please see the * Side note below! I had high hopes and was expecting a little hair movement, which you’d probably experience in a smaller hatch etc (install car – Saab 95 Aero Saloon) but having had hair movement with this track from my next favourite subwoofer the Genesis Audiophile 30.01 with less power in the same box! But To be honest there is not much in it in terms of output but I did get the steering wheel moving slightly with the Genesis! For the kind of people thinking of installing the morel subwoofer they’re going to be in awe of what it can produce and be more than satisfied. I just hoped that the 1000 watts RMS rating meant that it would play low and very loud but the need for the rating is due to it’s relatively low sensitivity and so takes some juice to get that 5in voice coil moving. In essence, it does play loud and very low.
Return from Planet Egalica – Dubblestandart (2nd track on Streets of Dub)
Dubblestandart will show off any dynamic system with deep, explosive, raw, rolling bass and although not coming from a traditional instrument, I have loved listening to all 5 of their albums that I own, with this subwoofer. the following selection of tracks being some favourites – Grinning In Your Face (Featuring Doug Cox, Todd Butler, Ruthie Foster and Cyd Cassone) Runners High Remix, Dub 51, Optimism Oxygene Part 4 (Dub) feat. David Lynch and Lee Scratch Perry], Evil Empire (Sounds from the Ground Remix).
This last track was purely just to see what experience I would have and I was very impressed –
Impact Darren Emerson and Jamie McHugh, (Electric Calm (Bonus Track Version)
Once the 2 bass notes kick in! it’s just envelopment basically. I can’t really comment on the quality of the bass but the Ultimo certainly has the ability to immerse you in bass that doesn’t come from anywhere but everywhere!
Side Note-
* This is the track that I felt, let the Ultimo down for me! In reality, it doesn’t.
I’ll explain, I’ve been on a mission for some years to find THE subwoofer that has it all. Fits in a small box, plays loud (proper loud) has stunning SQ, doesn’t need the installation of multiple batteries to run it and doesn’t cost the earth. It is a tall order but I’ve come close with the MTX 9500 series, the 9510 plays louder than the Ultimo and the Genesis. Also the 12in MTX is astonishing and the quality is great, better than the JL W7 series subs in my opinion. In reality it’s nothing on the Ultimo nor the Genesis Audiophile 30.01 which is probably the closest thing to the Ultimo and bearing in mind it’s a third the price, runs off a quarter of the power and is marginally louder than the Ultimo in the same box. But in terms of pure SQ, the Ultimo 12 is better and in my opinion worth the extra outlay if you have the system to exploit it. For most people (read as ‘for anyone else’) this subwoofer will be prefect as the type of installations this will be integrated into will be pure SQ, which it just DOES.
If you’re music listening is quite eclectic and there is the need to just rip the volume knob off then this subwoofer will do justice for most situations but I found with the Stu Hurst track that it got to full excursion before I was satisfied. I’m sure that if the Ultimo was enclosed in a ported box twice the size it would prove me wrong but that was not the point of this review nor is it what the subwoofer is about and that size box is not practical, there is also the fact that the SQ would suffer.
Review track listing –
Angels and Demons Mastered – Miccoli – Miccoli Demos
Tupelo – John Lee Hooker – Chill Out
Private Investigation – Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing (Disc 1) SE
Skinny Love Birdy – Skinny Love – Single
Have No Fear – Bird York – Wicked Little High
From Dusk Till Dawn – Tribaluderz – Key West Chill and Lounge Collection, Vol. 2
Six Blade Knife – Dire Straits – Dire Straits (Remastered)
The Ghetto – George Benson – The 25th Int’l Audio Video Taipei Hi-End Music CD
Medley: Serves Me Right To Suffer / Syndicator – John Lee Hooker – Chill Out
Use Me – Junior Wells – Surround Sounds: A Musical And Sonic Spectacular In Surround
Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow – Dave Grusin – Sheffield Drive
Slippin’ Away II – James Newton Howard – Sheffield Drive
Childhood Dreams – Nelly Furtado – Folklore
Cold Cold Heart – Norah Jones- – Come Away With Me
Susie – John Lee Hooker – Mr. Lucky
Dirty, Low Down And Bad – Keb’ Mo’ – Keb’ Mo’
The Shouting Stage – Joan Armatrading – Love and Affection (Disc 1)
New Dawn – Dominic Miller and Neil Stacey – Naim: The Hi-Fi Collection
You’ll See – Neil Stacey – Naim: The Hi-Fi Collection
Only a Woman’s Heart – Eleanor McEvoy – Portrait of a Songwriter
Turn Me On – Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
Stronger – Will Young – Friday’s Child
Sail Away – David Gray – White Ladder
Respect – Lucky Dube – The Best of Lucky Dube
F.E.A.R – Ian Brown – F.E.A.R.
Kids With Guns Gorillaz – Demon Days
Once Upon a Time In the West РDire Straits РCommuniqu̩ (Remastered)
Mr. Lucky – John Lee Hooker – Mr. Lucky
Need to Feel Loved (Adam K and Soha Vocal Mix) Reflekt – Need to Feel Loved (feat. Delline Bass)
Could This Be Real (Extended Mix) – Sub Focus – Could This Be Real
Mr P. Star Cicada – The Chilled House Session
I’m Not Alone (DeadMau5 Mix) – Calvin Harris – The Chilled House Session
MJ Cole – Sincere (Nero Remix) – Drum and Bass The Sound Of Dubstep Falling (Original Radio Edit) feat. Alys Be Distance – Falling (Original Radio Edit) feat. Alys Be
Saws and Sines (Anil Chawla and Dale Anderson Remix) – Stu Hirst – GU Mixed (Deluxe Edition)
Caught Up – Metro Area – Metro Area
Africa (Cotonbelly Remix) – Cirque du Soleil – Solarium / Delirium (Bonus Track Version)
Solo City – Booka Shade – The Sun and The Neon Light
Return from Planet Egalica Dubblestandart – Streets of Dub
This City Never Sleeps (Remastered Version) – Eurythmics – Boxed
Impact – Darren Emerson and Jamie McHugh – Electric Calm (Bonus Track Version)
Overall 9.0
Sound Quality 10
Depth 10
Output (Power) 8
Build Quality 10
Value 7
Conclusion
I would conclude that when Morel were designing this subwoofer they wanted to make a driver that sounded stunning. The best it could be but hit hard and low as well as enable it to be put into a standard sized box. They’ve hit the nail perfectly on the head. This driver is perfectly capable of filling any car with super high quality bass that drops to the lower octaves with ease! And can be run off a sensible amp from about 500 watts RMS as I tested but its perfect partner would probably be something like the Genesis Dual Mono Extreme!
I hope this review has been useful. Hayes ‘Hayeso’ Alkin
REFRERENCE STATUS FLAG pending design!
TECH FROM THE RAYNER REVIEW
– Frequency response: 10Hz to 900Hz
– Power Handling: 1,000w RMS (3kw max)
– Hybrid Carbon fibre/laminated paper composite cone
– ‘˜Uniflow’ die cast Aluminium chassis
– 3.7 Ohm two-layer Hexatech Aluminium wire coil on Aluminium former
– Bright plated 4mm squeeze post terminals
– Voice Coil Diameter: 5.1 inch (130mm)
– Mounting depth 141mm
– Double vented magnet
– Efficiency: 85dB 1w/1M
– Fms: 20Hz
– Qes: 0.46
– Qms: 1.372
– Qts: 0.345
– Vas: 105 Litres