I was wondering what size goes for front and rear speakers for a 2003 MAX SE. Also are Focal as good as advertised? Should I even bothering replacing the rear speakers. Oh BTW should I switch headunits? TIA

P.S. I don't have the BOSE system.

 

As you can see from my sig, I decided to go with Focal over Kenwood, Alpine, eclipse comps. were not available at the stereo shop I listened to. I think the main difference is in the midbass. Not too many speakers around, from a component set offer that much midbass. It seemed like all others were lacking the midbass thereafter. The tried and true test, is to just go and listen to which one you like the best.

 

The polyglass comps have more midbass, the polykevs are a little more defined sound, and the utopias are AWESOME!!!!!!

I have the Polykevlar 165k's fronts, and polyglass 160HC in the rears for rear fill. Let me tell you I wouldnt trade my system for nothing, except some Utopias!!!! LOL

 

I recently upgraded from Polk MOMO components to Focal 165k2s. To my ears the Focals are better in every way. They get louder, sound clearer, and give out much more midbass when comapred to the Polks.

I believe that you would need 6.5s all around in the 2k3, you might have to do some work to get the speakers fitted correctly.

Personally I'd put all of my money towards the front components and skip the rears. I ahve Infinity rears in my car but leave them off unless I have rear passengers and I'm listening to a baseball game or something. I'd also switch out your head unit, especially if you are looking are good speakers like Focal. Make sure you do it right. Get a nice head unit, a good 100W RMS x2 amp and the Focals and you won't be dissapointed or sorry.

 

I have the Utopias (165 W) up front, and have the Polyglass (165 V) in the rear. I mounted the tweeter in the rear pillar and it provided soooooooooo much more rear fill. I think that if you can, get components all the way around and mount them in the pillar.

I have more shots on page 3 at www.cardomain.com/id/cwally



I ihave more

 

Im selling 7" focal UTOPIA midbass..i paid about 160 each...selling them for probably under 140 each...Brand new....never used/mounted. Awesome Mid-bass Comes with speaker grilles. I have 3 pairs

 

Focals are excellent speakers, but alos look into Diamond Audio. They have equivelant (if not surpassing) quality, and cost less money too.

--My $.02

--Don

 

Hey Don,,,how bout those Diamond Audio's... I am running some Boston Acoustic Rally series components right now on a 4 channel Alpine amp. Do they compare at all to the DA's,,,,and if not would it be worth it to go to the DA's for me? If so,,,,what kind of price am I looking at for them? DMAN11@prodigy.net <---If you prefer

Thanks,,,,,DMAN

 

DMAN,

I really couldnt tell you as far as the Bostons are concerned, as Im not very familiar with them. If ya still want pricing tho, shoot me an email...MyPearlTPI@aol.com

You can check out DA here:

http://www.diamondaudio.com/


--Don

 

What amp is running your system? Also what headunit are you using? Let me know. TIA

 

Currently I am using a JL 500/1 and a 300/2. I am upgrading to Diamond amps in the near future though. The amps are run through an Audio Control 6Xs crossover, and from an Eclipse CD8052 head unit.

--Don

 

Does anyone know of a place in Atlanta where I can "test drive" Diamond Audio Components. I'm hesitant to buy anything that I have not heard for myself. Let me know.

 

Traffic Jams out in Buford is a big Diamond Audio dealer. They built my friend's Lexus IS with a full Diamond Audio system, amps, speakers, subs, and it sounds incredible.

 

If you're looking at Focal, which is a great brand, then you might also want to look at Dynaudio. The quality is as high or slightly higher than the Utopias, but the tweeter is a bit smoother, and more natural sounding than the Focals are.

 

eperalta,

I have been pretty pleased with Focal component speakers. I would recommend them as one of the best brands. As far as a new head unit goes, you have to consider that your sound will be only as good as the source that reproduces it. If it fits within your budget at this time, to get a new head unit, I'd say go for it. Sooner or later you will change to a non-factory head unit. It's only a matter of time.

 

the speaker size for my car, and also as far as I know for newer ones, is 6.5.

 

I put the 6.5" polykevlars in front with some JL Audio coax's in back, but I keep the back turned down for the most part, you could skip the rears entirely, and if you are adding a good amp I would not hook the factory rears to it, you would just blow em up and have to disconnect em anyway. I kept the factory HU as I didn't have enough money to do it all at once. The focals still sound great and once I add a new head unit it will only get better.