Recommendations on Components...

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03-08-2004, 03:17 PM

MannyNJ2k2max

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Recommendations on Components...

Whats up fellas....heres the deal

My SQ sound system is nearly complete exept for my RF Fanatix X 5.25" components have to go....

I have an Eclipse 8443 HU
Arc Audio Kar 6.5" coaxes rear fill
Soundstream Rubicon R-12SQ
ArcAudio CXLR4150 amplifier running everything
http://www.rainarc.com/cxl_4150.htm

Here are my choices so far:

*Eclipse SC8362
http://www.eclipse-web.com/index_speaker.html

*Rainbow Contour 6.5"
http://english.rainbow-audio.de/spea....php?AN=231426

*Arc Audio ACS265
http://www.arcaudio.com/arc/navigation/acs265prodp.htm

or
*Diamond Audio M6's w/ silk tweet

Any recommendations appreciated....under a $500 MSRP

Thanx in advance....

03-08-2004, 03:34 PM

MannyNJ2k2max

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if any other brands or choices with great midbass and silk tweet..
....please enlighten me....

03-08-2004, 04:58 PM

NISMO808

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Adire Audio Kodas 6.1
Metal tweets, but they sound silky smooth. Midbass is great. Many believe this set to be better than Rainbow Pros... and more affordable too!

Crystal Mobilesound Csc60s
Great midbass, and smooth accurate response. I think these sound better than boston pros, and mbqs. Ofcourse the price seals the deal.

Many here will suggest CDT HD62's. Although I haven't heard these particular speakers, the reviews rave about the warmth and detail of these speakers. And with a proper install midbass is there too.

If you go used I would suggest trying to find deals on DLS, Dynaudio, Seas.

03-08-2004, 06:16 PM

BLACKonBLACK98

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i think comps are the one thing that you should choose for yourself. i listened to what some people told me would be great, and didn't like them. some of the speakers people said sucked sounded alright. trust your ears.

03-08-2004, 07:55 PM

adamlee2001GXE

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Focal. but judging from your present selection focal might be out of your price range.

03-08-2004, 08:09 PM

nghtfthlngknvs

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Adire kodas are great everything adire makes is beyond most everything else though... i would choose JL XR series or Adire kodas

03-08-2004, 11:44 PM

HitManSE

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Ive heard the Koda's they sound great! I just wish Adire added holes to mount the speaker

Its cool, you could drill them yourself. Its not that big of a deal.

As for other brands...

BostonPro 6.5's
Diamond Audio s600's
CDT ES620's <~~~wierd color, but still sick.
CDT HD62DT <~~~once again odd color, but CDT has good ****.
Focal Utopia's

As for subs...I got the best ones right here in this link. You'll LOVE these!!!
Click here

03-09-2004, 03:43 AM

MannyNJ2k2max

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Thanx guys....its nice to hear other names out there....Unfortunatly I haven't had the pleasure to hear any of these exept for M6's(alum tweet), Hex's, PG Ti Elites.....so I cant really choose a set based on hearing them in person....but your opinions are greatly appreciated.....

Focals and CDT's seem to be very popular among org members...and i will be doing a little more search on the ones you guys listed so far

Keep'm coming!

03-09-2004, 04:04 AM

MannyNJ2k2max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by adamlee2001GXE

Focal. but judging from your present selection focal might be out of your price range.

my initial selection was based on my inexperience in this area.....My RF components are actually my first set of components I've ever owned

......the last time I got into buying a bulk of car audio was 8 yrs ago (mainly Soundstream/Kicker stuff)

And I'm aware there are better components out there besides Diamond and Eclipse .....So I want to know what other orgers are putting into their cars besides the "more popular" stuff.....

$$$ is somewhat an issue but under $500msrp I know I can get a set of kick *** components....so if you have any experience with something in that range please be my guest..

03-09-2004, 04:15 AM

#10

MannyNJ2k2max

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I'm looking for a set that can handle instrumentals divinely and at the same time be able to handle mids
in rap/pop songs without seeming out of place....

I listen to a big variety of music( rap, dance,salsa,rock, and heavy instrumentals -i.e Rusted Root)

The one thing I'm 100% sure of is I want a silk tweet....my current components are not the highest in fidelity but I appreciate the warm/softness of the vocals.....where I've found metallic tweets too harsh (mbquarts/DA's M6's)

03-09-2004, 05:08 AM

#11

PoLo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyNJ2k2max

i'm not complaingin about my hex s600's....has a tweeter control in the xover to make it +2db, 0, or -2db. i have it on -2db and it sounds perfect. 0 and +2db and it's overkill IMHO.

ask don how my setup sounds....he'll tell you everythign sounds fine...given the right tuning, most components will handle the power you look for. i can name someone else with the same set as mine and they sound like a$$. all about the tuning.......and sound deadening

03-09-2004, 06:54 AM

#12

HitManSE

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Oh yeah, some sound deadner in the door really brings comps to life

03-09-2004, 09:24 AM

#13

adamlee2001GXE

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyNJ2k2max

my initial selection was based on my inexperience in this area.....My RF components are actually my first set of components I've ever owned

I was just going by the opinions of other orgers. I had no idea other brands existed until I came here, basically I was at the mercy of the car audio shop. Judging from magazines, my personal experience, and other car audio enthusiasts I am assured I didnt make a poor decision. A lot of people on here favor Infinity, CDT, some JL, and others. I was unaware at the time that I paid probably too much for my system, but then again, I paid for it to be professionally installed, and backed by a warranty.

In other words, if you have the technical know how, time, and money, a person can experiment with non-"mainstream" brands. If you are like me, who knew very little about brands, I just knew the sound I wanted to achieve (clear loud music with full bass) I could only choose what the store had to offer. I think most of the people on this board are people who install things themselves.

03-09-2004, 10:20 AM

#14

HitManSE

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I still say the best place to gather information about audio is over at www.caraudioforum.com
The search button hold pretty much unlimited answers.

03-09-2004, 10:22 AM

#15

MannyNJ2k2max

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Anyone know how would CDT HD-62's sound with an underrated 85w/rms?

are they power hungry to get good sound?

03-09-2004, 10:32 AM

#16

HitManSE

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyNJ2k2max

Anyone know how would CDT HD-62's sound with an underrated 85w/rms?

are they power hungry to get good sound?

Power is whats overrated. My BostonPro6.5's ask for 400w/rms. Thats quite a bit for components. Im giving them just 75w/rms via JL300.4 They can get loud enough to make your ears feel like they are about to bleed. Its loud & clear as hell. You dont need much power to get those things screaming.

03-09-2004, 10:40 AM

#17

HitManSE

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Btw- The sensativity is what determines how livley they will be with a certain amount of power. My BostonPro's are rated at 90db sensitivity & with 75 rms (probably closer to 80w/rmw) gets these things screaming, the CDT's should be more livley.
Their sensitivity is rated at 92.6db so with 85w/rms I think (actually im sure) its going to be too much when you listen to it

Your probably going to have to dail your full-range amps gains in at about 30-35% is what im guessing.

03-09-2004, 10:52 AM

#18

MannyNJ2k2max

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Thanx Hitman....I'm leanin' on the CDT's a bit....good reviews....I'm waiting on a few replies
from www.caraudioforum.com and then its a matter
of choosing....

Being I'm extremely content with the rest of my system , I'm really **** on the component replacement, its the missing ingredient and dont want to have to replace them in the future....

I appreciate everyones help.....please bear with me

03-09-2004, 12:33 PM

#19

slickrick

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyNJ2k2max

i have the cl61's run off my h/u for now and they still get loud and clean. im sure 85 good watts from an amp is plenty of power for them.

03-09-2004, 06:25 PM

#20

MannyNJ2k2max

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Can anyone comment on Fusion components?
Or any of the DEI stuff(Directed Audio, Viper, Orion,
A/D/S..etc..)

03-09-2004, 08:49 PM

#21

HitManSE

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As far as their amps go, they are solid but when it comes to comps

03-09-2004, 10:41 PM

#22

NISMO808

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DEI vipers got really good reviews, but I believe they have metal dome tweeters, which will probably sound too harsh unless you have an EQ. Great midbass though!

03-10-2004, 05:26 AM

#23

MannyNJ2k2max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HitManSE

As far as their amps go, they are solid but when it comes to comps

As far as Fusion components go, accorging to Don (pearl96max) recently heard
a set of Fusion Jonah Lomu series components and was pretty impressed.....supposedly Fusion has become pretty exclusive......

but i dunno....this has been the hardest decision i've ever had to make....I really want Rainbow Pro's....but its out of my $$$ range

03-10-2004, 07:28 AM

#24

HitManSE

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I really want to say go with the rainbow's because the are awesome comps, but man the price tag is just not cool at all.
Their Pro line pricing is bad enough, but the Reference Line...

Its insane, they are great and all but $15K for a set of components is a little bit steep.

03-10-2004, 09:55 AM

#25

MannyNJ2k2max

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I spoke to Don, and he told me from speaking to his Arc rep ,that the Arc Audio ACS line is made in Germany by Rainbow and that Rainbow uses Arc amps to test they're speakers....so I've decided to give them a try....makes sence since www.rainarc.com is the only place online that sells them both and direct from the company.....and Arc Audio website has a link to Rainbow on their website...
http://www.arcaudio.com/arc/navigation/acs265prodp.htm

.....luckily my friend was able to take my RF's off my hands for a pretty penny......

So I look at it this way, nobody on the org I believe has them and in my mind they are rainbows

I'm quite confident they'll sound great!

I'll post on them when I get them in....

03-10-2004, 10:07 AM

#26

MannyNJ2k2max

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I'd like to thank you guys for giving me your help....it was beneficial for making comparisons.....

I looked into CDT's but no one instate carried them,
and for warranty reasons I didn't want to spill that much $$$ online.....although they are highly regarded

These Arc ACS components are priced along with the Rainbow CS line
http://www.rainarc.com/component_acs_2way6.htm

and Don was able to get me a great deal on them since he's direct dealer though them.....

So if anyone in NJ/NY would like to give it a listen, I'd be more than happy to audition them for you
since besides my sub all other components are ARC Audio....

03-10-2004, 11:21 AM

#27

NISMO808

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Goodluck with your speakers.

03-10-2004, 12:11 PM

#28

HitManSE

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Does make sense

Good luck with them, considering its a German made product, I doubt you need any luck

but let us know how it turns out.

03-10-2004, 03:03 PM

#29

MannyNJ2k2max

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Thanks guys!

Those slim crossovers should make kick panel install
a breeze....

BTW HitmanSE, I know what you mean , I nearly shyt myself when I saw the Rainbow Platinum line
MSRP for $2500.....to then take a look at the Reference line.....OMG
http://www.rainarc.com/component_reference_2way6.htm

"*Note (these are hand built after you order) "

03-10-2004, 03:48 PM

#30

HitManSE

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Hand built

Thats nuts! I havnt checked the pricing in a while but I remember people saying $15K at one point. Hell $7.5K isnt bad compared to that! Maybe when I dont have anything better to spend my $ on id think about it. The maxima isnt worthy of those comps