I'm planning to replace the stock door speakers and wondered what the consensus preference is between the Rockford Fosgate HPC2206 and the Infinity Kappa 652.2i speakers. I've heard a lot about the Kappas but not as much about the RFs. The RFs claim to go lower in frequency but I don't usually believe those numbers. They're priced about the same, $149/pair, but my son can get me an employee discount on the RFs.

 

I think that the RF tweeters stick up too far for 4th gen applications, though I do not know about your 5th gen. If they fit, I would recommend those over the Kappas.

 

I have Kappas in my front doors and RF in the back deck. They were both about the same price and they sounded pretty close in the store so I got them both.

In the car is a different story. I like the Kappas because the highs are brighter. The RF do handle bass better but I have a run my bass through my sub so it doesn't make a diff to me.

If you're running a sub, definately go with the Kappas.
If you're not running a sub & like more bass, go with the RF.
If you're not running a sub & like brighter, more accurate music, go with the Kappas.

Just my $.02

 

Which model of RFs do you have in there, the HPCs?

 

Yep. I have the HPC 1206...last year's version of the HPC 2206.

 

UGH...I passed up a set at a good price b/c I did not think that they would fit in a 4th Gen. Stupid crutchfield- they said that the height of the tweet would be too much...

 

Yeah, they told me the same thing...the tweeters are too high to fit. I got curious & picked them up from Best Buy figuring that if they didn't fit, I could just return them.
Not only do the tweeters fit, but there is about 1 1/2 inches of additional space left above the tweeter. (and they were top mounted). Crutchfield really missed the target on that one

 

Also take a look at Boston Acoustics Pro series and the JL line of seperates. I personally love Dynaudio but they are more expensive.

 

I was at Circuit City the other day and spoke with a seemingly knowledgable fellow in car audio who told me that the Infinity Reference Series speakers sound as good as the Kappas but cost 30% less. Anybody tried the Reference Series?

 

IMO, the reference series sounds good but no where near the Kappas. Then again, it depends on how detailed you like your music. There's a saying that goes "don't buy more speaker than your ear can hear". I'm real particular about the accurate reproduction of sound. I kind of settled with the Kappas because I couldn't afford anything better. I don't even like listening to music in my car without an EQ. I'd go with the Kappas. But listen to them yourself. If you like the way the Reference series sounds, it might be a much better deal.

 

IMO, the reference series sounds good but no where near the Kappas. Then again, it depends on how detailed you like your music. There's a saying that goes "don't buy more speaker than your ear can hear". I'm real particular about the accurate reproduction of sound so I chose Kappas. If I could have afforded a better speaker, I probably would have. I don't even like listening to music in my car without an EQ.
But listen to them yourself. If you like the way the Reference series sounds, it might be a much better deal for you.