Once again, looking for new car speakers

[hans030390]

I've decided to get a component speaker setup for the front of my car (moving my Boston SX65s to the rear). I've decided to expand my budget in hopes of getting some pretty nice equipment (perhaps not top of the line, but still good).

I'm looking for something around $150...$200 tops (eBay prices are fine, and I am willing to go slightly over). The speakers need to be 6.5". My problem is the large amoung of choices that are available to me. So, I'm going to list some and see what people think would be best. You're also welcome to provide input for something not listed (and I'm not listing all of my options).

Boston Acoustics SX60 or SL60 (SL60 might be too much)
Something from CDT/Clif Designs (haven't found much)
Diamond Audio D661a or S600A Hex
DLS (something around the Classic or Reference line)
Focal Access Component (forgot the model number)
MB Quart PCE 216 or PVF 216

Those are the main speakers I'm considering. Any opinions?

Edit: I listen mostly to metal (In Flames, Opeth, Children of Bodom, etc), if that helps anyone.

 

[SithSolo1]

I honestly would go over and ask at the www.caraudioforum.com forums. They were very helpful and didn't take to long to reply.

 

[hans030390]

Ok, thanks. I'll do that in a bit.

 

[hans030390]

Hm...no replies yet from either forum. I was also suggested to look into the Pioneer TS-C720PRS speakers.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i've heard ba, mb quart and focal...all very nice. can you demo any speakers?

 

[Aharami]

I have the Diamond D661a speakers - being driven by an Alpine V12 MRV-545 amp. I used to have them all around - they sound really nice, but like all metal dome tweeters, they are a bit harsh on my ears. After talking with a local installer (who does phenomenal work) and listening to his all JL setup, I decided to switch my front speakers to JL audio XR-653 CSi 3-way speakers. Cant really tell which one is better to be honest, but they are certainly different sounding from one another. Overall, I'm very happy with my setup.

The JL audio speakers aren't as harsh as the D661a ones even though both are aluminum tweets because JL floats the aluminum dome via a small rubber surround which keeps the harshness down to a minimum

I'd say Focal is a class above JL and Diamond Audio (depending on which Focal speakers you're talking about)

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
i've heard ba, mb quart and focal...all very nice. can you demo any speakers?

I don't know of any car audio places that would have this sort of stuff to demo (I live in the Indianapolis area).

Originally posted by: Aharami
I have the Diamond D661a speakers - being driven by an Alpine V12 MRV-545 amp. I used to have them all around - they sound really nice, but like all metal dome tweeters, they are a bit harsh on my ears. After talking with a local installer (who does phenomenal work) and listening to his all JL setup, I decided to switch my front speakers to JL audio XR-653 CSi 3-way speakers. Cant really tell which one is better to be honest, but they are certainly different sounding from one another. Overall, I'm very happy with my setup.

The JL audio speakers aren't as harsh as the D661a ones even though both are aluminum tweets because JL floats the aluminum dome via a small rubber surround which keeps the harshness down to a minimum

I'd say Focal is a class above JL and Diamond Audio (depending on which Focal speakers you're talking about)

That's what I've heard about their tweeters...But I've also heard the same about Focal. That's likely something you can "tame" though, correct (or so I've heard)?

I'll see what JL speakers I can find and consider any of those.

 

[Aharami]

go to each manufacturer's website and look up their authorized dealers. Might have to drive around a bit, but you should be able to find some close to you. One place wont have all the speakers you're looking for. I'd highly recommend listening to the speakers before you commit. Also when you go, bring a CD with some songs you listen to. So you have a constant reference for judging each speaker

 

[Aharami]

also are you planning on getting a powerful amp to drive these speakers? The DA and JL speakers really need some juice to shine. JL's are rated at 75 Watts, RMS; D661a @ 100 W RMS. Im driving around 125 W RMS into each speaker. You should really get an amp that is more powerful that what the speakers can handle. Dont worry about blowing out your speakers. As long as your signal is clean (sine wave) you wont blow out your speakers. The installer by me is using $2K Zapco amps to drive his JLs. He put it up so loud that I had trouble breathing, but there wasnt a hint of distortion coming from the speakers.

the reasoning behind getting a more powerful amp is that as you drive an amp closer to it's max capacity, the signals tends to go from a sine wave to a square wave. This square wave causes clipping which is what blows out the speakers and causes distortion. Thus if you get an amp that is more powerful, you can reduce the gain on the amp and keep it from reaching close to it's max capacity.

This is what I was told/found out when I was researching for my audio setup back in 06

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Aharami
also are you planning on getting a powerful amp to drive these speakers? The DA and JL speakers really need some juice to shine. JL's are rated at 75 Watts, RMS; D661a @ 100 W RMS. Im driving around 125 W RMS into each speaker. You should really get an amp that is more powerful that what the speakers can handle. Dont worry about blowing out your speakers. As long as your signal is clean (sine wave) you wont blow out your speakers. The installer by me is using $2K Zapco amps to drive his JLs. He put it up so loud that I had trouble breathing, but there wasnt a hint of distortion coming from the speakers.

the reasoning behind getting a more powerful amp is that as you drive an amp closer to it's max capacity, the signals tends to go from a sine wave to a square wave. This square wave causes clipping which is what blows out the speakers and causes distortion. Thus if you get an amp that is more powerful, you can reduce the gain on the amp and keep it from reaching close to it's max capacity.

This is what I was told/found out when I was researching for my audio setup back in 06

Yeah, my amp is plenty powerful. I can do 75Wx4 RMS or 200Wx2 RMS.

 

[hans030390]

I think I can get the MB Quart PCE 216 component set for $70. How would that be? They seem to have good reviews.

Still, if some other speakers I listed will be much better, I'm willing to spend my original budget. I'm particularly interested in the Focal 165 A1, their entry speakers...they seem to be pretty good from what I've read. I don't know how they'd compare to the MB Quart set, though.