Madness begins again! - looking for 3-way component set opinions!
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
Madness begins again! - looking for 3-way component set opinions!
I'm just never happy - and addicted to audio and fabrication!
And the wife is feeding it - says she will buy me a set of three-way components for my birthday !
So I am looking for suggestions on 3-way component sets - figure a price max of $350.
So far, I have been considering:
Focal 165v3 - I read good things - very good things. These are the PolyGlass line, and I can get last year's model for a shade over $300. The new 165v3e might be a bit out of my price range.
MB Quart PSD-316 - Again, I read good things, but complaints about harsh tweeters worries me. Some lines also seem to have lower efficiency ratings - some people say not to worry about that stuff, but personally I find that it matters.
JL Audio XR-653cs - Might wind up on the pricey side, but I wouldn't mind giving the respected JL name a shot. Again, however, some issues with harsh tweeters.
Planet Audio P63-CKS - Cheapest of the bunch ($199 online), and unknown quality. Though I've read some opinions that overall Planet is a good company, and makes solid products.
Other suggestions are encouraged, please!!! I'm working with either 125 watts or 250 watts per side, as I can bridge my 4-channel amp if necessary. I would prefer to keep it to the 125, however.
I have a vision for the front doors. Looking at our cars and realistically considering my driving position and style, I think kicks would be in my way. With all the room behind the stock speaker grille - between the plastic door panel and the metal door - I know I could cut out some of the plastic and mold a pretty amazing speaker pod in there. The design is already in my head, and I can see the finished product. The only real choice for me are the drivers that will fill the pod.
On another note, I will be considering replicating my door pods for sale to others. As the construction proceeds, I will be trying to mold templates of them for later use, so I can make duplicates at any time without tearing my car apart. Stay tuned for that - it's going to be several weeks at least until I even get started on mine. But once the wife and I move into our house, I will finally have a full garage (2-car!!) and full basement for working on stuff, which is really exciting to me. I can already say with reasonable confidence that these pods are gonna be awesome.
So - help me fill 'em with good sounds!
~HH
And the wife is feeding it - says she will buy me a set of three-way components for my birthday !
So I am looking for suggestions on 3-way component sets - figure a price max of $350.
So far, I have been considering:
Focal 165v3 - I read good things - very good things. These are the PolyGlass line, and I can get last year's model for a shade over $300. The new 165v3e might be a bit out of my price range.
MB Quart PSD-316 - Again, I read good things, but complaints about harsh tweeters worries me. Some lines also seem to have lower efficiency ratings - some people say not to worry about that stuff, but personally I find that it matters.
JL Audio XR-653cs - Might wind up on the pricey side, but I wouldn't mind giving the respected JL name a shot. Again, however, some issues with harsh tweeters.
Planet Audio P63-CKS - Cheapest of the bunch ($199 online), and unknown quality. Though I've read some opinions that overall Planet is a good company, and makes solid products.
Other suggestions are encouraged, please!!! I'm working with either 125 watts or 250 watts per side, as I can bridge my 4-channel amp if necessary. I would prefer to keep it to the 125, however.
I have a vision for the front doors. Looking at our cars and realistically considering my driving position and style, I think kicks would be in my way. With all the room behind the stock speaker grille - between the plastic door panel and the metal door - I know I could cut out some of the plastic and mold a pretty amazing speaker pod in there. The design is already in my head, and I can see the finished product. The only real choice for me are the drivers that will fill the pod.
On another note, I will be considering replicating my door pods for sale to others. As the construction proceeds, I will be trying to mold templates of them for later use, so I can make duplicates at any time without tearing my car apart. Stay tuned for that - it's going to be several weeks at least until I even get started on mine. But once the wife and I move into our house, I will finally have a full garage (2-car!!) and full basement for working on stuff, which is really exciting to me. I can already say with reasonable confidence that these pods are gonna be awesome.
So - help me fill 'em with good sounds!
~HH
get orvillized! WTF?
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 948
From: I am here --> x
I hear that the Focals are awsome speakers. The guy I bought the kick panels from had JL Audio speakers (6.5 in the door, 4 inch in the kickpanel, as well as the tweeter in the kickpanel). He ended up getting Boston Acoustics new high end 6.5's ($1000 a set!!!!) I know you don't have that kind of money. I don't either! But anyway, I have heard that the MB Quarts are too bright. Don't know much about Planet Audio. Perhaps you can go online and research each one and read the reviews.
Mister T
P.S. As you know, I got the crackling noise out and the whine, but my headlights are dimming slightly to the bass. I am using 4 guage wire to the distribution cap and the same wire to the 1.5 farad cap. 8 Gauge wire is running from the distribution to the amps because they are mounted a few inches from it. Any suggestions on what could cause this slight dimming every time the bass hits? Thanks!
Mister T
P.S. As you know, I got the crackling noise out and the whine, but my headlights are dimming slightly to the bass. I am using 4 guage wire to the distribution cap and the same wire to the 1.5 farad cap. 8 Gauge wire is running from the distribution to the amps because they are mounted a few inches from it. Any suggestions on what could cause this slight dimming every time the bass hits? Thanks!
**Punani Lover**
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,861
From: Hawaii (duh!)
dude, i know it may be slightly over ur budget, but may be able to find a good price online: cdt eurosports. seriously, i'll put them against the focal utopias ($1600 retail) anyday. i think the cdts retail at around $650/$700, so u may be able to get the set for about $500 online... maybe even cheaper. some guy got a set of 4in comps (i think it was 4in) for $275 brand new...
but of ur choices, i would vote the focals.
the mb quarts tweets are a bit more tight than the jl audio's. i'd put them in this order:
-focal
-jl audio
-mb quart
-planet audio
but of ur choices, i would vote the focals.
the mb quarts tweets are a bit more tight than the jl audio's. i'd put them in this order:
-focal
-jl audio
-mb quart
-planet audio
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
Originally posted by onehawaiian
i think the cdts retail at around $650/$700, so u may be able to get the set for about $500 online...
i think the cdts retail at around $650/$700, so u may be able to get the set for about $500 online...
Can you say - ouch?
Thanx for the input, tho
~HH
Da' Butcher
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 668
From: Orlando, FL
Hey, I have the Focal you speak of installed in my car. The 6.5 in the door and the 4"/tweet in kicks powered by 160x2 JBL amp. They sound good, but they are pretty bright and the gain is turned down on the tweeter in the crossover. They are listenable, but if I had it to do over again, here is what I would do:
Doors: Kicker RMB8 8" Mid Bass about 130 shipped
Kicks: Kicker RS5 5.25 Component set about 195 Shipped
THis way you could get a much better Bass effect from the fron and the tweeters, IIRC, are not as bright as the focals.
Just a suggestion...
Actually, I am thinking of replacing my Focal rear door speakers with just the RMB8s for a little more punch.
Doors: Kicker RMB8 8" Mid Bass about 130 shipped
Kicks: Kicker RS5 5.25 Component set about 195 Shipped
THis way you could get a much better Bass effect from the fron and the tweeters, IIRC, are not as bright as the focals.
Just a suggestion...
Actually, I am thinking of replacing my Focal rear door speakers with just the RMB8s for a little more punch.
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
Well, I think I have things narrowed down to the JLs or the Focals.
And lucky for me, my favorite audio shop (though I've only been there once) carries 'em - he even has the JL XR 3-ways IN A CAR for me to hear!
I love this shop - no attitude, helpful, respectful, and love to talk audio without being "know it all's". The guy told me to come down any time and he'd let me hear the JLs, and anything else he's got hanging around. He even said he's got a sweet MB Quart setup in his own car, and when I told him the harsh tweeter complaints scared me off, he said he knows all about it, but the Discus series he uses isn't like that, and I should just come down and check 'em out anytime. He's talking about the Discus series, which is the LEAST expensive. Can you believe it - a guy who wants to show me the LESS expensive stuff?
I wish this place was closer to me - I'd spend hours hanging out. So rare to find a quality shop with high-end equipment doing high-end installs WITHOUT the high-brow attitude.
Think I'm gonna take me a little trip tomorrow....
~HH
And lucky for me, my favorite audio shop (though I've only been there once) carries 'em - he even has the JL XR 3-ways IN A CAR for me to hear!
I love this shop - no attitude, helpful, respectful, and love to talk audio without being "know it all's". The guy told me to come down any time and he'd let me hear the JLs, and anything else he's got hanging around. He even said he's got a sweet MB Quart setup in his own car, and when I told him the harsh tweeter complaints scared me off, he said he knows all about it, but the Discus series he uses isn't like that, and I should just come down and check 'em out anytime. He's talking about the Discus series, which is the LEAST expensive. Can you believe it - a guy who wants to show me the LESS expensive stuff?
I wish this place was closer to me - I'd spend hours hanging out. So rare to find a quality shop with high-end equipment doing high-end installs WITHOUT the high-brow attitude.
Think I'm gonna take me a little trip tomorrow....
~HH
Last edited by hihoslva; May 15, 2003 at 08:01 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
you could get the jl for 360+shipping from www.purecaraudio.com
but no warranty. i wouldn't get the jl speakers w/out a jl amp, it won't do them justice. not to mention they tell you exactly where to set all of the amp levels so the speakers sound perfect.
but no warranty. i wouldn't get the jl speakers w/out a jl amp, it won't do them justice. not to mention they tell you exactly where to set all of the amp levels so the speakers sound perfect.
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
Well, fellas - I just got back from that shop.
Heard some Focal 2-way comps - extraodinary!
Unfortunately, the car with the JL setup wasn't there. But - there's more to tell:
This is the best car audio place I've ever known, and here's why:
The manager of the place (his name is Damian), takes me out to his car to hear the Focals (2002 Civic Si hatch). After about 10 minutes of listening (and holy **** - when he had his MMats subs running it was incredible) we get to talking.
I explain that I'm not really after the bone-crushing volume. I'm happy with my current volume level, I just want more depth and detail in my music. So we go listen to my car.
He tells me that before I spend any money on some expensive 3-way setup, I should first boost my input voltage hitting the amps. He tells me I'll be stunned at the clarity and volume I can get out of what I already have, and might not even WANT a 3-way setup. He continues to tell me that expensive comps without solid input voltage to the amp is kind of a waste, and I might be able to pick up a far cheaper 3-way component set AND a nice line driver like an AudioControl for far less than the JLs or Focals, and be really happy. According to this him, I won't do that well with new speakers - not yet anyway.
Then he GIVES me a line driver. An older PAC unit he had laying in his car not used. Tells me to go home, hook it up, play around, and see the difference. And that he's not gonna let me waste my money on expensive speakers until I get my line voltage up.
I don't even know this guy.
This shop is the best. No sales pressure, and the guy wants to HELP, not SELL!! Plus, I got to sit in some 140 dB+ cars while I was there - whew! My head is still vibrating.....
So - I hope to get this line driver hooked up for playtime in the next few days. I might not go for some expensive 3-ways after all.
Main St. Stereo in Sayville, NY - once again, you guys kick ***!
~HH
Heard some Focal 2-way comps - extraodinary!
Unfortunately, the car with the JL setup wasn't there. But - there's more to tell:
This is the best car audio place I've ever known, and here's why:
The manager of the place (his name is Damian), takes me out to his car to hear the Focals (2002 Civic Si hatch). After about 10 minutes of listening (and holy **** - when he had his MMats subs running it was incredible) we get to talking.
I explain that I'm not really after the bone-crushing volume. I'm happy with my current volume level, I just want more depth and detail in my music. So we go listen to my car.
He tells me that before I spend any money on some expensive 3-way setup, I should first boost my input voltage hitting the amps. He tells me I'll be stunned at the clarity and volume I can get out of what I already have, and might not even WANT a 3-way setup. He continues to tell me that expensive comps without solid input voltage to the amp is kind of a waste, and I might be able to pick up a far cheaper 3-way component set AND a nice line driver like an AudioControl for far less than the JLs or Focals, and be really happy. According to this him, I won't do that well with new speakers - not yet anyway.
Then he GIVES me a line driver. An older PAC unit he had laying in his car not used. Tells me to go home, hook it up, play around, and see the difference. And that he's not gonna let me waste my money on expensive speakers until I get my line voltage up.
I don't even know this guy.
This shop is the best. No sales pressure, and the guy wants to HELP, not SELL!! Plus, I got to sit in some 140 dB+ cars while I was there - whew! My head is still vibrating.....
So - I hope to get this line driver hooked up for playtime in the next few days. I might not go for some expensive 3-ways after all.
Main St. Stereo in Sayville, NY - once again, you guys kick ***!
~HH
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
I don't think it's the same place, onehawaiian.
I have tried searching like crazy to find a website for these guys - and had no luck. And of course, when I was out there, I forgot to even ask if they have one
I think my brain was still rattling from the bass......
~HH
I have tried searching like crazy to find a website for these guys - and had no luck. And of course, when I was out there, I forgot to even ask if they have one
I think my brain was still rattling from the bass......
~HH
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
Originally posted by walight01
another reason i like jl amps, they have the adjustable input sensitivity.
another reason i like jl amps, they have the adjustable input sensitivity.
The line driver will boost the voltage before it ever gets to the amps - hopefully providing a clearer, cleaner signal.
~HH
Da' Butcher
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 668
From: Orlando, FL
When I had my kicks made, I had the same comment made to me about the line voltage. Even though my HU is rated at 4W, the installed mentioned bumping that up to 8-10. I have been looking at this Item for my needs:
AudioControl InDash Three.1
- 4 Band Stereo Graphic Equalizer with Para-BASS
- Subwoofer Level Control
- 13 Volt Peak Line Driver
- Switchable Backlight Illumination Color (Green or Amber)
- Balanced Differential Inputs and Outputs for Maximum Noise Rejection
- 4 channel 2-way 24 dB/octave electronic crossover
- High Headroom PWM Switching Power Supply
- Master Volume Control
- Front / Rear Fader
- One-half DIN size chassis
AudioControl InDash Three.1
- 4 Band Stereo Graphic Equalizer with Para-BASS
- Subwoofer Level Control
- 13 Volt Peak Line Driver
- Switchable Backlight Illumination Color (Green or Amber)
- Balanced Differential Inputs and Outputs for Maximum Noise Rejection
- 4 channel 2-way 24 dB/octave electronic crossover
- High Headroom PWM Switching Power Supply
- Master Volume Control
- Front / Rear Fader
- One-half DIN size chassis
Thread Starter
Show Layne some respect
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,458
From: Long Island,NY
I saw that unit, too, man.
But I think I want to keep it simple, and use just a line driver. In fact, I'm considering the very simple David Navone unit, the N-333v. No bells and whistles - just a 4 channel adjustable line driver for under $80 that can boost up to 13 volts:
http://www.davidnavone.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=N-333V
When I sat in the car with the Focal 2-way comps, the difference the line drivers make is like night and day. The guy is not running much more wattage than I am to my comps, but holy **** was it clear and loud. HUGE difference.
~HH
But I think I want to keep it simple, and use just a line driver. In fact, I'm considering the very simple David Navone unit, the N-333v. No bells and whistles - just a 4 channel adjustable line driver for under $80 that can boost up to 13 volts:
http://www.davidnavone.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=N-333V
When I sat in the car with the Focal 2-way comps, the difference the line drivers make is like night and day. The guy is not running much more wattage than I am to my comps, but holy **** was it clear and loud. HUGE difference.
~HH
