Another PG RSD65cs review...

[LBC99 10+ year member]

I finally got around to installing a set of Phoenix Gold RSD65cs components that I bought about two months ago for $87 from audiosavings.com.

I in no way claim to be an audiophile or expert. But I've been doing my own installs in my vehicles since I was 16 (I'm 30 now). But here is my short review.

These were installed on my 06 Nissan Altima in the original factory openings (mids in door, tweets in sails). They are being powered off the front channels of a Rockford Fosgate P4004 amp. The amp is listed at 50 watts x4 RMS, but I have read they are very underrated and most birthsheets list them at around 70-80 watts RMS.

The PGs replaced a set of Alpine Type R comps. Before that, I had a set of CDT EF-61CF comps. These are what I will be comparing them to.

My first impression as soon as I got them hooked up was CRAZY MIDBASS from a comp set. My second was, harsh tweeter.

But once I played around with the settings on my HU (Kenwood X-890) I was able to tone the tweets down and refine the midbass to make them sound a lot better.

I listen to a pretty wide variety of music, ranging from hip hop (Snoop, Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, some new radio crap) to alternative/rock (Linkin Park, Sublime, Incubus), country (Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill), to even some old R&B (Michael Jackson).

Of the three sets I've had in my Altima, these RSDs are easily the best.

The highs are great. There is a lot of seperation from the vocals to the cymbals and other random sounds in the background that you don't really notice all that often in songs. Female vocals were a little harsh at first, but once I adjusted the treble frequency on my HU, they were ok.

The bass is amazing. These would be good comps for someone who can't or doesn't want a sub in their car. Obviously they aren't going to play as low as a sub, but the mid level tones sound great.

I turned off my sub (12" Type R) for a few songs to just to hear them on their own, and they held up very well. My sub only gets around 200 watts since it is bridged on the rear channels of the P4004, so its not like I am blasting all over the place. But I sometimes forgot that my sub was off on some songs becuase of the bass from the RSDs.

These are probably the best speakers for under $200 you will find. Are they better than Rainbows or some other set that costs $500, I honestly don't know. I've never heard a set of those before, so I won't make an assumption as others have on here.

I'm sure these would sound even better in my car if my doors were fully deadened. I just have some dynamat extreme around the mids. But I'm sure once they get broken in, they will still sound better.

If you are looking for a set of comps for under $200, gets these and use the money you saved on sound deading or a better amp. I give them //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/2thumbs.gif.fdc3ba010dbb42b61704534b46d02fe4.gif

Click to read more...

 

[ThomasG 5,000+ posts]

I cant wait to get these.

These are the biggest boner i have seen on a forum //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

nice, good to see yet another person that likes them.

 

[Troydb 10+ year member]

There is a lot of seperation from the vocals to the cymbals and other random sounds in the background that you don't really notice all that often in songs.

I've been playing with mine for about a week now and I've really noticed this a lot. You can really hear each individualized instrument and singer(s). A lot of comp sets that I've heard in the past the vocals and instruments would seem to "run together" especially at high volumes. The RSDs have a very open sound stage and the SQ is great.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

i really wish somebody on here that is REALLY REALLY into SQ would try these and see what they think and if they agree so all the hating can stop. not that it has started in this thread yet. lol

 

[LBC99 10+ year member]

i really wish somebody on here that is REALLY REALLY into SQ would try these and see what they think and if they agree so all the hating can stop. not that it has started in this thread yet. lol

that's why I made sure to include this to hopefully keep the hating away:

"These are probably the best speakers for under $200 you will find. Are they better than Rainbows or some other set that costs $500, I honestly don't know. I've never heard a set of those before, so I won't make an assumption as others have on here."

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

i really wish somebody on here that is REALLY REALLY into SQ would try these and see what they think and if they agree so all the hating can stop. not that it has started in this thread yet. lol

Someone with a really really nice install, more so, a mix of both...

But... I think we can all agree that they are good for the money, but there is no way in hell they could compare to a set of 500$ speakers... B/c it just doesn't make sense.. Even w/o a review comparing them... Thats just crazy talk... IMHO

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

i really wish somebody on here that is REALLY REALLY into SQ would try these and see what they think and if they agree so all the hating can stop. not that it has started in this thread yet. lol

If you want that so bad why don't you see if JIMJ or DevilDriver would be willing to test a set. Of so, you could all pitch in 10 bucks or so. Better yet, just see if this seller would take a sack of crushed aluminum cans in exchange.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

i just understand that all the people who have been here on this forum aren't gonna believe the newer guys and really have no reason to. i understand that. they just don't think they/me are credible sources, i get it.

somebody with time on their hands and some extra dough needs to try a set just to review them. maybe put them in their girls car or something if they don't wanna change their own setup just to try them. you know.

also i have never heard a $500 set of speakers so i don't know if they could compare but there is a slight possibility.

 

[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

This is driving me nuts! Saying best for under 200. I just bought some boston acoustics sl60 for 180 and REALLY convinced to just return them and get the rsd's and save 100 bucks!

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

i just understand that all the people who have been here on this forum aren't gonna believe the newer guys and really have no reason to. i understand that. they just don't think they/me are credible sources, i get it.
somebody with time on their hands and some extra dough needs to try a set just to review them. maybe put them in their girls car or something if they don't wanna change their own setup just to try them. you know.

also i have never heard a $500 set of speakers so i don't know if they could compare but there is a slight possibility.

Sure, I would love to hear a review by someone who has a really good ear. Send your set to Jntar. I know he has judged SQ comps.

Or better yet, try HebrewHammer. I know he will give them a fair shot.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

Sure, I would love to hear a review by someone who has a really good ear. Send your set to Jntar. I know he has judged SQ comps.
Or better yet, try HebrewHammer. I know he will give them a fair shot.

if i had an extra set just laying around then i would. and even though they are only $87, i'm not gonna buy a set to send somebody just to make other believe that they are okay speakers. i'm happy with them, and i just wish others (especially ones that haven't heard them) would not have an opinion on them. thats all.

oh and i think i have a pretty good ear. i of course can't prove that but i think i do. i know what sounds good and bad. i just haven't had the experience that some others might have had with some real high end expensive stuff.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

if i had an extra set just laying around then i would. and even though they are only $87, i'm not gonna buy a set to send somebody just to make other believe that they are okay speakers. i'm happy with them, and i just wish others (especially ones that haven't heard them) would not have an opinion on them. thats all.
oh and i think i have a pretty good ear. i of course can't prove that but i think i do. i know what sounds good and bad. i just haven't had the experience that some others might have had with some real high end expensive stuff.

I don't doubt that you do. BTW, i have seen your install and I am impressed with your work.

I can understand the frustration, but also understand the very real phenom of the forum boner. I have heard bandwagoners say things like, "I have never heard music this way" and similar things to the point it becomes a joke. And there are those on this forum who can give a pretty good critiuqe of equip't just by looking at the specs and build.

Anyway, like I have said, I hope they are as a good as the reviews. It is always nice to have a product that will give a lot of people access to this hobby.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Sure, I would love to hear a review by someone who has a really good ear. Send your set to Jntar. I know he has judged SQ comps.
Or better yet, try HebrewHammer. I know he will give them a fair shot.

As long as they impress YOUR ears that's all that really matters...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

I don't doubt that you do. BTW, i have seen your install and I am impressed with your work.
I can understand the frustration, but also understand the very real phenom of the forum boner. I have heard bandwagoners say things like, "I have never heard music this way" and similar things to the point it becomes a joke. And there are those on this forum who can give a pretty good critiuqe of equip't just by looking at the specs and build.

Anyway, like I have said, I hope they are as a good as the reviews. It is always nice to have a product that will give a lot of people access to this hobby.

thanks.

like i said i understand what you mean.