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ES 165 K vs. ES 165 K2

  • Focal ES 165 K

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Focal ES 165 K vs. Focal ES 165 K2 Recommendation

5118 Views 15 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Mag1c Carp3t
Hello,

I am having a shop relocate my Focal ES 100 K to the rears in my GR Supra and retrofitting either the ES 165 K or ES 165 K2, but I wanted your guys input on what would be ideal for my setup and reasoning for it. Car will be getting custom front door panels made to accommodate for the larger woofer and retain an active setup.

Available Power: (mObridge K2 MOST25 8.1.1. Amp)
Channels 1&2: 100w [email protected]/140w [email protected]
Channels 3&4: 200w [email protected]/280w [email protected]

Between the two I've noticed the K2 has a 2-ohm woofer and a phase plug. Any other important features for the $150 price bump?

Focal ES 165 K
Focal ES 165 K2

Link to my Audio Build Thread
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Between the two I've noticed the K2 has a 2-ohm woofer and a phase plug. Any other important features for the $150 price bump?
Better sound...!
I would take the dust cap for a 3 way and the phase plug for a 2 way...

on the spec sheet they look very similar... but the es165k2 has a little bit larger magnet and a little tiny bit more xmax... probably from the larger magnet... but the voice coils are the same diameter... the sensitivity is also a little higher on the 2 ohm version..

I would use the 2 ohm phase plug version if you are not doing a 3 way... it will help a bit with dispersion and give you some extra power and sensitivity
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Should I be concerned with the bump in power going 2-ohm?

Should I even consider the KX2 model @2-ohm. Would it be worth the $300 extra over the K2, considering I'm not going to use the crossover?
Should I be concerned with the bump in power going 2-ohm?

Should I even consider the KX2 model @2-ohm. Would it be worth the $300 extra over the K2, considering I'm not going to use the crossover?
Normally I would say yes, but your amp puts out enough power at 4 ohms, especially using the 200w channels for midbass.

I would personally rather have the one with the dust cap because the phase plug takes away from the cone area... but they both have their pros and cons... if you are not needing the bi amp crossovers and have enough power at 4 ohms then get the ES165K - they are both pretty stout midbass.... The ES165K does have more cone area from the dust cap.. but the ES165K2 has better cooling from the phase plug, better sensitivity from the lower mms and larger magnet.. the larger magnet also lowers the QTS though.. so the ES165K is better suited for a Door install with its higher QES in turn causing an overall higher overall QTS...

Like I said personally I would choose the one with the dust cap because i think it would have better midbass from the cone area and higher QTS (better low end roll off in a door) but the phase plug will get louder without distorting due to the higher sensitivity and better cooling..
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Yes no need for the bi-amp crossover, considering the power we have available. I also would prefer not to stress the amp as it does not have a fan or heatsink to cool it down.

Edit: Spoke with mObridge, the amp is pretty stout at heat dissipation, so should handle the load.
Should I run the 4" Focal set, that is going to the rear, active? I would be sacrificing my center channel.
We ended up deciding on these woofers to go in the doors.


What do you guys think, I plan to cross them at 80 Hz - 3,000 Hz LR 24/dB.
We ended up deciding on these woofers to go in the doors.


What do you guys think, I plan to cross them at 80 Hz - 3,000 Hz LR 24/dB.
Those are badass even better than the first two! Great choice!
The vender was able to split the 3-way kit up so we can re-use my es 100 k tweeters. I'll stick the es 100 k 4" woofer in the rear and run them as rear fill.
The vender was able to split the 3-way kit up so we can re-use my es 100 k tweeters. I'll stick the es 100 k 4" woofer in the rear and run them as rear fill.
Smaller drivers work well for rear fill in my experience. Better off axis sound dispersion. Great idea!
Those are badass even better than the first two! Great choice!
How low can I play these woofers on 200w rms @4-ohms. Will Lo-P around 2360Hz.
@cman

Got the drivers installed, check it out.

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Vehicle Hood Automotive tire Motor vehicle Steering wheel


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How low can I play these woofers on 200w rms @4-ohms. Will Lo-P around 2360Hz.
Maybe 60hz /24db but I would do 80hz no need to go lower with proper EQ… which will increase midbass
Maybe 60hz /24db but I would do 80hz no need to go lower with proper EQ… which will increase midbass
Yes running them at 80hz/24db and subs at 60hz/24db.
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