[speeedbump]

I'm sure this question is asked all the time. Sorry if you're tired of hearing it.

I thought I'd be able to live with the Bose system in my MS3 for a while, but it is much worse than I expected. I haven't heard a stock system this bad in a long time, much less a "premium" one. It is unbelievably muddy sounding. It has to go.

My plan is to stick with the OEM head unit. I plan to get components up front and a stealth box in back. I have an ED NINe.4 to power the comps and will bridge the rear for the sub. I know it's not a lot of power, but I don't need it to be extremely loud, just want it to sound good.

I just can't decide what to get for the front speakers. I've read dozens of posts on all sorts of forums which has just overwhelmed my brain. I'm looking to spend $150-200. I think this will give me plenty of quality choices. I've got 65w RMS @ 4ohms or 100w at 2.

Here are some that I am considering:

Infinity Kappa 680.9cs
Easy fit, no adapters needed. With 2 ohm impedance and 93 dB efficiency I should have plenty of power. I have had Infinitys in the past and generally like their sound. May not be able to reuse them if I change vehicles in the future.

CDT Audio EF-61FG (or one of the other 6.5" comp sets on sale at woofersetc)
Never heard these before. Most people online seem to love them. Appear to be a great deal. They can handle more power that I will be giving them, but they're pretty efficient so I think they'd be OK.

Alpine SPX-17REF
Also get good reviews, come with adapter rings.

Pioneer Premier TS-D720C
Look OK, pretty cheap, not quite as efficient.

Anything else I am missing? I know ideally I would listen to these in person before I purchase them, but I don't think there's anywhere near here where I could do that. At least I know that any of these will be worlds better than what I have now!

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[geewhizbang]

I am not impressed with Infinity speakers. I haven't heard the alpines, but the drivers are made by extremely reputable danish company Vifa.

Just about any Vifa driver is better than average. They aren't cheap but they are well designed well assembled drivers.

 

[blankets3]

Kicker...

 

[Alec trevelyan]

I love my Focal 165 V2S components! I think the 165 V1 is the current version.

 

[MyZoom7]

Kappa
LOVE Infinity's. Great clarity.

 

[El Ropo]

Alpines and pioneers will sound better than the others mentioned, given the install is done correctly (deadened doors, solid baffle adapters etc.

Infinity's have harsh tweets, and are lacking in the midbass dept, making for a very harsh and annoying sounding speaker.

I wouldn't use the alpine speaker adapters, as they are very thin, and won't be rigid enough.

The new ed e9.65i comps could be another nice choice at the $185 price point.

 

[MyZoom7]

That's a huge generalization
Infinity's don't harsh.. to me. :lol: Especially those newer Kappa's. Actually I lied, they are harsh with the 3dB setting is on.

 

[speeedbump]

Thanks for the replies.

I've heard good things about Focals. The 165v1s are a little outside my target price range.

I know a lot of Infinitys can be a little on the bright side. I thought these Kappas might be a little more relaxed since they have the textile dome tweeter instead of the MMD.

Right now I'm leaning Alpine. If the adapter seems weak, I'll carve up some MDF. I don't have a lot of free time so it may be a while before I get the doors deadened.

Another question. I've got a DVC sub with 2ohm coils. I assumed I'd wire it in series for a 4ohm load for the bridged NINe.4. But since the amp is rated at 150w bridged into 4 ohms or 100 wpc unbridged into a 2 ohm load, on paper I'd get an extra 50 watts if I wire each coil to a separate channel. Is this the better way to go?

 

[El Ropo]

[quote author=MyZoom7 link=topic=136741.msg2949571#msg2949571 date=1235138493]
That's a huge generalization
Infinity's don't harsh.. to me. :lol: Especially those newer Kappa's. Actually I lied, they are harsh with the 3dB setting is on.
[/quote]

I'm thinking you've never heard a nice sounding comp set in a car?

 

[MyZoom7]

Yeah you're right, can you listen to them for me and tell me how they sound to me? :roll: If you missed it the OP stated that he does like the sound of Infinity's speakers and from my own personal experience with listening to the new Kappa's back and forth to my older Reference speakers I highly doubt he would be disappointed.

 

[speeedbump]

I assume I could fit a driver with 2.75" mounting depth using almost any thickness of a mounting plate?

I might try out a pair of used perfect 6.1s.

 

[MyZoom7]

2.75" is no problem and I've seen some thick wood mounting plates used on the 3.

 

[El Ropo]

[quote author=MyZoom7 link=topic=136741.msg2949733#msg2949733 date=1235143421]
Yeah you're right, can you listen to them for me and tell me how they sound to me? :roll: If you missed it the OP stated that he does like the sound of Infinity's speakers and from my own personal experience with listening to the new Kappa's back and forth to my older Reference speakers I highly doubt he would be disappointed.
[/quote]

Kappas sound better than References (which are extremely harsh, with no midbass at all), so an A/B comparo will reveal the Kappas sound better. That doesn't make them a nice sounding comp set, just not quite as nasty as the References

 

[myork]

I have the new kappas ( I sold my focals to Alec) and I have to agree with El Ropo on the tweeters. They are sibilant. The tweets have toned down greatly since I installed them, but they are still on the harsh side.

But the mid and bass I have to say are pretty good. Low end frequencies are suprisingly good, you almost dont need a sub.

And I wimped out and got the 6x8s instead of the 6.5

Edit: I should add that I will be swapping these out with different speakers when the weather gets nicer. Polks have always sounded nice to my ear, so I am going to give the new MM series a try.

 

[Alec trevelyan]

The low end on the focals is also almost good enough that you don't need a sub. Problem is, to get that bass I have Bass set to +6 on the stock HU, which, once I reach 10 on the volume dial tends to result in some popping. Shouldn't be a problem once I amp 'em and add a sub so I can dial down the Bass to something more manageable!

 

[MyZoom7]

[quote author=El Ropo link=topic=136741.msg2950008#msg2950008 date=1235151038]
[quote author=MyZoom7 link=topic=136741.msg2949733#msg2949733 date=1235143421]
Yeah you're right, can you listen to them for me and tell me how they sound to me? :roll: If you missed it the OP stated that he does like the sound of Infinity's speakers and from my own personal experience with listening to the new Kappa's back and forth to my older Reference speakers I highly doubt he would be disappointed.
[/quote]

Kappas sound better than References (which are extremely harsh, with no midbass at all), so an A/B comparo will reveal the Kappas sound better. That doesn't make them a nice sounding comp set, just not quite as nasty as the References
[/quote]
obviously you didn't get my point, which is fine, I've argued with enough ignorant people for today.

 

[john_in_the_lbc]

everyone's ears are different...so it's pretty subjective anyways...
hell, what the hell are those people thinking with the license plate rattling down the road...?

 

[Alec trevelyan]

[quote author=John_in_the_LBC link=topic=136741.msg2950277#msg2950277 date=1235157605]
everyone's ears are different...so it's pretty subjective anyways...
hell, what the hell are those people thinking with the license plate rattling down the road...?
[/quote]

Four bolts FTW.

 

[john_in_the_lbc]

lol, and those people prolly need "harsh" speakers because their high frequency hearing has been damaged by that ear popping bass.

i really like the Alpine SPX17PRO comps...really articulate...but haven't convinced myself yet.

 

[Alec trevelyan]

Me, I like 'em nice and crisp but with good tight low-end.