Component set advice. Please help an old school guy out

1345 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by neverman, Mar 1, 2009

neverman

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2009

Hi guys,

Hate to come on here and beg right off but you guys seem really in the know and current!!!

I stopped shopping car audio over a dozen years ago because I thought I was done!

Well so much has changed, companies come and go, change targeted consumers etc. I blew something in my component set and need a decent new set of 6.5, tweet, xover.

I don't want to go active. I'm pretty set on using my old PG ZPA0.5. I'm running two of them one on sub-duty and one for the components. They're being actively crossed by a ZPX2.

The components are down in the kicks of a 95' BMW M3. I currently have some 12+ year old Diamond Audio Hex 6.5's (back when they made pretty good stuff, not sure if they still do).

My system has the passives in the trunk so I don't care if the xover makes a little noise itself.

I like SQ, my 10's are in a sealed box to keep it tight. I listen to all sorts of music but I need a little bit of mid-bass kick that I'm lacking at present. It used to be there, I promise. I've read a few reviews on drivers that seem to be good SQ but lack any bass whatsoever (PG TI elites to name one, morel maybe).

I visited the Hybrid Audio site, I'm seen SEAS, ScanSpeak, Morel all mentioned in a positive light. I personally find Focal too bright, or at least I used to.

I don't want to spend a Thousand if I don't need to. It's almost impossible to A/B everything around where I live which is why I need help. What speakers should I try to listen to before I buy? What are some favorites? What component set can't miss?

Is there a best value out there? I have no idea what the Hybrids cost for instance. I've heard good things from the PG community about some really cheap rsd's? Amazing supposedly for like 60 bones. Can that be true?

Anyway, long post short. What 6.5" component set would you all recommend?

Thanks!

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HIS4

· #2 · Feb 27, 2009

What don't you like about what you have now? You've got pretty good stuff there. The only thing you don't have is an EQ which could possibly make enough of a difference for you not to change the rest of the equipment.

neverman

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 27, 2009

Something is amiss. It's almost catatonic sounding. I can't direct replace the hex's as they've moved onto other designs. I actaully tried repacing the xover with one from a s600 series Diamond (they looked similar) but that didn't work out.

I'm also kind of tied into not running an EQ as I'm using the balanced lines instead of rca's.

My systems food chain goes like so...

Alpine iDA-X305
PG TBAT2 Line Driver (balanced line-outs at approx 11volts)
PG ZPX2 (takes one balanced line and splits it into 2 channel out) (48db slope crossed over at something around 80-100)
PG ZPA0.5 (x2) Balanced in's as they have amost non-existent input stages. The input signal is up around 11v on peaks.

I'm not sure I can get my hands on a compatible Active EQ. This stuff just isn't made like this any longer. And I'm too invested in the install to rethink electronics.

So for me the simplest sollution seems to be shopping components to try and recapture that magic I once had.

The trunk is old but looks like this...

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finfinder

· #4 · Feb 28, 2009

Welcome fellow addict.
To answer your question, the Hybrid Clarus c61-2 set is about $500 list. In this economy you can probably get them for less. Since I have no experience with them I can offer no insight as to how good they are.
Maybe someone else here has experience with them.

tyroneshoes

· #5 · Feb 28, 2009

I am a bit biased but Im a huge fan of the zapco ck set.

Reference series>CK-16.2

Seas Lotus also comes to mind

With all that nice stuff, the PG RSD's dont belong.

neverman

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 28, 2009

tyroneshoes said:
With all that nice stuff, the PG RSD's dont belong.

Do maybe the PG Titanium Elites? I've heard they don't do bass wery well. Something about limited excursion? I believe they're just Morel Elate's with a handbuilt xover.

Elites

Hope I'm not breaking any rules by linking? If so please tell me and I'll edit it out. Or feel free. :surprised:

I'll look into the lotus. Are these ID only or do stores carry their components? Hard to listen to something that's only sold ID.

How about the Alpine SPX-17REF - Alpine 6.5" components?
Other Morel?
New stuff?
I'll look at the Zapco's too... thanks!

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neverman

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 28, 2009

Oh and not that it matters but for anyone curious I'm running Soundstream SS-10's in a sealed box tunnel ported through my rear deck. You can just make out the M3 styled slits in my rear deck.

They're still doing ok even after all this time.

tyroneshoes

· #8 · Feb 28, 2009 (Edited)

neverman said:
Do maybe the PG Titanium Elites? I've heard they don't do bass wery well. Something about limited excursion? I believe they're just Morel Elate's with a handbuilt xover.

Elites

Hope I'm not breaking any rules by linking? If so please tell me and I'll edit it out. Or feel free. :surprised:

I'll look into the lotus. Are these ID only or do stores carry their components? Hard to listen to something that's only sold ID.

How about the Alpine SPX-17REF - Alpine 6.5" components?
Other Morel?
New stuff?
I'll look at the Zapco's too... thanks!

I used the Ti Elites and loved the tweeter but the mid was really meant to play in kicks. Midbass wasnt very good in the doors. For your application its a good choice and matches the theme well. I ended up keeping the tweeter and using a dayton rs180 active and really liked it.

Available for pretty cheap now. A laid back set.

Phoenix Gold Ti6CompElite - Phoenix Gold 6.5" Titanium Elite Component Speakers

Also rainbow and Hertz are some brands to look into. The alpines have nice passives and the tweeter is nice. They seem pretty well received but I have no personal experience with them.

If I was doing your setup, Id do the zaps, the rainbow profi paper set, Morel or pg ti or dynaudio. Id also like to try hertz.

It is hard to find a seas lotus dealer. Mobilesq.com is pretty much our source and your best bet is finding someone close to you to hear them. Theyre very detailed.

Love those ss10rs I ran a pair myself a while back.

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neverman

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 28, 2009

You're pretty happy with the tweeter I take it? Is it a clone of the elate tweeter (which I've heard) or is it a one off from morel, or do you know?

I checked out the specs on the Zapco's. I'll have to give them a listen. Same shop in town sell's Morel, Zapco and Alpine. It's so hard to a/b in a shop. I hope I make the right choice. I still have a boxed up set of DA s600's that I stole the xover from... maybe I should just give the newer hex's a shot?

tyroneshoes

· #10 · Feb 28, 2009

neverman said:
You're pretty happy with the tweeter I take it? Is it a clone of the elate tweeter (which I've heard) or is it a one off from morel, or do you know?

I checked out the specs on the Zapco's. I'll have to give them a listen. Same shop in town sell's Morel, Zapco and Alpine. It's so hard to a/b in a shop. I hope I make the right choice. I still have a boxed up set of DA s600's that I stole the xover from... maybe I should just give the newer hex's a shot?

The older Hex's you have are the eton models and the best they made.

Yes I liked the pg ti tweeter a lot. I dont think its an exact replica of one of morels mt line but sounded very similar to the mt-22 in a a/b test between the mt23, mt22 and pg ti. The mt22 and pg ti I couldnt tell the difference. I got the ti because the guy had a bunch of new old stock and I paid half the cost of the morels.

Try out the zapcos if you get a chance. I really like them.

neverman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 28, 2009

Sonic characteristics of the Zapco's? In your face? Warm? Nuetral? Good bass? Deep? Use flavorful words please

Where can I get a set of eton Diamonds? I loved them when they worked! Someday I'll learn to have extras of everything I like~

My HT gear is Aerial Acoustics, I've owned Kef reference stuff from back in the 80's etc. Pretty laid back stuff. I like that British sound I suppose. Surely more Euro than Asian tonal qualities.

mikey7182

· #12 · Feb 28, 2009

Probably a huge underdog against that lineup is the Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS. I had the Alpine SPX-17PROs, MB Quart QSD, Focal K2P, Boston Pro60s, and I eventually had 3 pair of the 720PRS because I kept going back to them time and time again. They were my all-time favorite passive set for sure. And at as low at $180 used or $220 new, it's definitely a lot lower priced.

Fish Chris

· #13 · Feb 28, 2009 (Edited)

Hey neverman, I'm running these Polk Audio components, and I love them; Polk Audio db5251 5-1/4" 2-way Component System 5-1/4" Component Systems Car Speakers Car Audio and Video - Sonic Electronix

Great value !

They are available in 6 1/2"s too.

I wasn't actually dead set on Polk Audios.... But I do strongly prefer soft dome tweets. To me, hard dome tweets just tend to be too edgy / harsh. I'm sure their are exceptions. But every soft dome I've ever heard was anywhere from acceptable, to flat out wonderful

Bass response.... I can't really say. I'm cutting mine off at 250hz, as I run 8" mid-bass drivers, and 12" subs below that.

Anyway, I'm planning a little system for my car now, and plan to go with Polk Audios again for this too.

Peace,
Fish

Oh hey Neverman, you had asked for us to use 'flavorful words'.....

Uhhhh... alright. So my Polk Audio's are Dope Yo' ! I'm telling you, they Wang like a Bee-Otch ! I'm not even playin' dog.... they are the Bomb-bass-shiznit baby ! ;-)

Just having fun man

Don't mind me

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tyroneshoes

· #14 · Feb 28, 2009 (Edited)

neverman said:
Sonic characteristics of the Zapco's? In your face? Warm? Nuetral? Good bass? Deep? Use flavorful words please

Where can I get a set of eton Diamonds? I loved them when they worked! Someday I'll learn to have extras of everything I like~

My HT gear is Aerial Acoustics, I've owned Kef reference stuff from back in the 80's etc. Pretty laid back stuff. I like that British sound I suppose. Surely more Euro than Asian tonal qualities.

Theyre Italian made by ESB

Id consider them warm with powerful midbass. The tweeter is very detailed and less laid back than most silk domes. Id place them in between the laid back sound of morels and dyns and the brightness and detail of seas. For a couple years I ran the lotus mids and the zapco tweets but I just went back to the zap mids after coming across them. The mids have a velvety smooth dark type of sound like the scanspeak. And the tweeters brighten up the set. Its a unique sounding set.

Heres a review

http://www.caraudiomag.com/testreports/0511cae_zapco_ck_162_car_audio_component_set/index.html

neverman

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 1, 2009

Well, Thanks all. I'll have to go shopping some day soon and see what all this stuff can do but for the time being I Found a BNIB set of the Eton made DA6.6's with silks right here in this wonderful forum!

Thanks again amapro704

pagustin

· #16 · Mar 1, 2009

Oh man just when I decide to join the forum and respond you find your answer. I too have a 95 M3 and I'm about to start my install finally (after way too many years). I was going to suggest Vifa components. If you are interested look for my newbie introduction.

P

neverman

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 1, 2009

So I have another question...

The installer never put any polyfill in my kicks. It has plenty of dynamat on all the surfaces in there but I was wondering if I needed to add something to that area when I put the new drivers in? I'm sure it's not a completely sealed area but I don't know how/when to determine when you do and don't need fill. It's not IB, but it's not sealed either.

I don't want to damage the new DA's.

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