$500 to spend on speakers for active setup. suggestions?

[niqnak 10+ year member]

Do you mean, the drivers will not be aimed upwards and towards you?
If I read you right, you're going to be extremely off-axis, and that's not good. That changes tweeter selection quite a bit, and will limit you to a tweeter capable of a low frequency response, like the Seas Neo. Other tweeters that will fit the bill are pretty expensive, like the better Rainbow tweets, i.e. the Cal28, and Cal27.

Please clarify how the 5 1/4" drivers will be aimed.

It's only the 5 1/4" drivers that will be off axis. The tweeters will be in the corner of the a-pillar and aimed at the occupants head on the opposite side of the car.

The 5 1/4"s on the other hand will be extremely off-axis. They will be flat against the kick panel in the stock locations aiming directly at the occupants feet.

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

If that's the case, you're going to want the Seas Neo tweeter. Unless you want to fork out the money for some Rainbow tweeters. Low end extension will be friend.

Take a look at this link for how speakers behave off-axis. It'll give you a good idea why I'm saying what I'm saying.

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7107

Looking at the Peerless 5.5" it has great off-axis extension that should be useable to 3000 hz at 60-80 degrees off-axis.

What you really want to avoid is the approximate (could be more, could be less) 3db left side bias you'll very likely get because the left side driver is extremely off-axis, and the right side driver will by a lot more on-axis. Because of this difference, your stage will be pulled to the right side, and away from you. So, you'll still want to cross low because you can avoid that difference. Look at the link, and the links within (my first post in that thread) to see what I'm talking about.

If you want to check out what Rainbow has to offer for tweeters, talk to 6spcoupe. He's an authorized dealer. The Seas Lotus RT27F is another option at $250.00 a piece, and the Scan Speak D2904-6000, with is a bit under $200.00 a piece. I don't know prices of the Rainbows. That's why the Seas Neo is almost always my first choice.

 

[niqnak 10+ year member]

If that's the case, you're going to want the Seas Neo tweeter. Unless you want to fork out the money for some Rainbow tweeters. Low end extension will be friend.
Take a look at this link for how speakers behave off-axis. It'll give you a good idea why I'm saying what I'm saying.

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7107

Looking at the Peerless 5.5" it has great off-axis extension that should be useable to 3000 hz at 60-80 degrees off-axis.

What you really want to avoid is the approximate (could be more, could be less) 3db left side bias you'll very likely get because the left side driver is extremely off-axis, and the right side driver will by a lot more on-axis. Because of this difference, your stage will be pulled to the right side, and away from you. So, you'll still want to cross low because you can avoid that difference. Look at the link, and the links within (my first post in that thread) to see what I'm talking about.

If you want to check out what Rainbow has to offer for tweeters, talk to 6spcoupe. He's an authorized dealer. The Seas Lotus RT27F is another option at $250.00 a piece, and the Scan Speak D2904-6000, with is a bit under $200.00 a piece. I don't know prices of the Rainbows. That's why the Seas Neo is almost always my first choice.

thanks a lot for the help.

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

MiniVanMan-Has a wealth of knowledge.

I agree the Seas Neo's are IMO as good as many of the more expenxive tweeters with great off axis response. I have run the CAL26 which is excellent IMO. There is also the CAL27 but from people I know that have used both they feel the CAL26 has a smoother response. The CAL27 is one hell of a tweeter I think 6spd has a set for sale something like 275.00 or 300.00 for the pair. Retail is like 400.00 or more I think on a set.

The Peerless does have great off-axis response. I had great luck with the Seas stuff as well. I am getting ready to test out some CDT stuff I picked up to see what I can get out of it.

MiniVanMan-What about the Dayton 5" I cannot remeber about the off-axis response on those. BUt the RS-180's are great IMO.

If you do not go the DIY route I would reccomed Rainbows. I would like to reccommend CDT but have had no time to play with them yet.

 

[niqnak 10+ year member]

If you do not go the DIY route I would reccomed Rainbows. I would like to reccommend CDT but have had no time to play with them yet.

I am still highly considering a passive set because I am not sure I am ready to tackle going active. I am willing to spend a bit more if I do end up going passive. The sets I have been considering for passive are the Dynaudio System 222's and the Rainbow Profi or Vanadiums. It's already been said the cal26 is great for off-axis response, but what about the MD102? And which one of these two systems would give better off-axis response in the mids?

Also, I never really see anyone talking about DLS on here. Or maybe I'm just missing the discussion...

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

No authorized dealers DLS dealers on CA.com if I'm not mistaken. 6spcoupe has a lot to do with the prolific usage of Rainbow. Not that it's a bad thing. Rainbow is a fantastic product.

I wouldn't worry about off-axis response on your tweeters. You said that the tweeters will be aimed at your head to begin with. So, you should be fine with a lot of tweeters.

When dealing with a passive component set, "good" off-axis response means that there's a good tweeter, and a low crossover point on the passive crossover. That's not always the case, as with CDT a lot of times, but it's a good rule of thumb. You don't get 4000 hz flat at 60 degrees off-axis, and 60-70 hz of thumping midbass. Just doesn't happen.

Again, though check the link at the bottom of my signature. It explains crossovers, and why passives are a crap shoot.

I'm not trying to dissuade you, but rather give you the most information possible so you can make an educated decision.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

I am still highly considering a passive set because I am not sure I am ready to tackle going active. I am willing to spend a bit more if I do end up going passive. The sets I have been considering for passive are the Dynaudio System 222's and the Rainbow Profi or Vanadiums. It's already been said the cal26 is great for off-axis response, but what about the MD102? And which one of these two systems would give better off-axis response in the mids?
Also, I never really see anyone talking about DLS on here. Or maybe I'm just missing the discussion...

Unfortunately both of those choices, while great ones, exceed your budget a bit.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

No authorized dealers DLS dealers on CA.com if I'm not mistaken. 6spcoupe has a lot to do with the prolific usage of Rainbow. Not that it's a bad thing. Rainbow is a fantastic product.

Now thats not true at all, there is an authorized DLS dealer on here more than willing to ship out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[95bat 10+ year member]

Don what all do you sell? I keep reading more and more brands lol.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Hmmm ...

Arc

Dynaudio

DLS

Morel

Rainbow

Eclipse

AudioControl

TRU

Genesis

Macrom

Nakamichi

RE

US Amps

Audison

Hertz

Alumapro

Im sure theres some missing ...

But of course the majority of these cant be shipped.

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

Now thats not true at all, there is an authorized DLS dealer on here more than willing to ship out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Okay, I stand corrected. I'm still calling you the ultimate Rainbow fanboi though. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Call me what you like, just make it during business hours. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[niqnak 10+ year member]

Unfortunately both of those choices, while great ones, exceed your budget a bit.

Like I said, I am willing to spend more on a passive setup and the Profi's and Dynaudio's are in the range I would like to be if I went passive.

After looking at what other ppl have done in my car it doesn't seem to be too difficult to get a 6.5" comp into the stock location. The Profi Kicks are looking optimal right now. With the System 242GT's also in the running...

 

[95bat 10+ year member]

As to not thread jack, Don will be receiving a PM shortly //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

MiniVanMan - I find all of your posts incredibly helpful. All the information you give about going active is awesome.

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

As to not thread jack, Don will be receiving a PM shortly //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
MiniVanMan - I find all of your posts incredibly helpful. All the information you give about going active is awesome.

Thank you. Glad I can be of help.