Best Speaker OPINIONS

[gbryant 10+ year member]

I have read several best car speaker threads here.

I have been doing car audio for over 25 years and high end home audio for 20.

I have always been on the quest for better car audio speakers, unfortunately I don't have many dealers in Kansas so that I can listen to several high end car audio speakers. They all think JL and other mid quality speakers 'rock'. dude.

I heard KEF car audio in a reps car several years back, they sounded good, but a little lean in the mid bass.

I listen to music ranging from good ole rock n roll to jazz and blues, even classical from time to time. I like a well balanced system... no tizzy highs, very full mid range and mid bass (vocals) and the sub is also very important, but, I use it for my listening enjoyment, not everyone in a ten block radius.

If it helps, my current home setup is NHT 3.3.

Thanks for your replies,

Greg

Click to read more...

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

KEF doesn't do car audio as far as I know.

What is your budget? Then people will start to post what they think is good. Don't forget it's all opinion though. What sounds good to you might sound ok to others...

Personally of the top setups I like the Focals I'm running currently.

-Nick-

 

[titanle 10+ year member]

i bought a set of hertz hsk and they are absolutely amazing! They sound so clear and realistic.

 

[gbryant 10+ year member]

KEF doesn't do car audio as far as I know.
What is your budget? Then people will start to post what they think is good. Don't forget it's all opinion though. What sounds good to you might sound ok to others...

Personally of the top setups I like the Focals I'm running currently.

-Nick-

Price no object... just the best sounding car audio.

KEF did car audio in the late 80's early 90's.... only one setup and discontinued soon after. If I remember correctly, they were quite expensive.

I'm currently using Focals in a vehicle. Yes, they do sound good. I would rate them similar to the Boston Pro series although the Bostons have a richer midrange.

 

[gbryant 10+ year member]

i bought a set of hertz hsk and they are absolutely amazing! They sound so clear and realistic.

Now there is one I've never listened to.I'll have to put those on the list. Looks like no USA dealers on there website. Where did you get them?

BTW what do think of that Alpine PDX? I have a limited space install and am considering using them.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Look at Hybrid Audio Technologies as well.

I remember the KEF UniQ line of speakers. They were pretty reasonably priced IIRC. Something like $350 a set.

The PDX are good amps. The Memphis S-Class and the new JL amps are in a similar vein, full range Class D in a small stackable package. I'd have probably gone with the PDX or Memphis if I didn't already have 1 Sundown amp and get a good deal on 3 more.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Rainbow Powerline CS //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

i am allso on a hunt for good quality set of comps..

i have had.

focal 165v2's

alpine x type ref's

i want to hear a set of hertz comps..

and i would like to listen to the new alpine pro's...

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

if price is no object look into scan speak (new line looks beefy), morel and dynaudio 3 way comp sets and basically peek around http://www.madisound.com

but in reality, the best sounding speaker will come from the best speaker installtion - meaning placement, aiming, deadening, and xover\eq\ta if required.

after the prior mentioned, most speakers will sound better than good.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

if price is no object look into scan speak (new line looks beefy), morel and dynaudio 3 way comp sets and basically peek around http://www.madisound.com
but in reality, the best sounding speaker will come from the best speaker installtion - meaning placement, aiming, deadening, and xover\eq\ta if required.

after the prior mentioned, most speakers will sound better than good.

x2 its easier than you think to make a "high end" speaker sound bad and not all that hard to make el cheapo stuff sound much better than you thought..

HLCD's though fo sure and msyncs for us lazy *****

 

[titanle 10+ year member]

Now there is one I've never listened to.I'll have to put those on the list. Looks like no USA dealers on there website. Where did you get them?
BTW what do think of that Alpine PDX? I have a limited space install and am considering using them.

I found them on ebay. We have a dealer on this forum as well. I think the PDX is a great amp, its small and powerful and it looks cool too. I am more than happy with it.

 

[gbryant 10+ year member]

In my ride I currently run Focal on the new JL HD600/4 from an Alpine x100, looking for a HD 750/1 for the sub

and

In my wifes, Boston Pros on the PDX 4.100, stealthbox on a PDX 1.600 from an Alpine x100.

180 gig ipods...

You are right the Alpine PDX and the JL HD series amps are great! Compact, stackable, look cool and sound excellent!

Both of my installs sound excellent... but I'm always on the search for that Golden Ring... thats why I started this thread.

I am well aware of placement and quality installs, I'm a 25 yr veteran of audio.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

Thanks for all your replies.... I think I'll give Hertz a try...next...?

 

[Here-I-Come 10+ year member]

Price no object... just the best sounding car audio.KEF did car audio in the late 80's early 90's.... only one setup and discontinued soon after. If I remember correctly, they were quite expensive.

I'm currently using Focals in a vehicle. Yes, they do sound good. I would rate them similar to the Boston Pro series although the Bostons have a richer midrange.

Well, Well, Well, price on object. My kind of Audiophile, Ok here you go:

All Car Audio drivers:

Dynaudio Esotar

http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/esotar.php

Rainbow Reference

http://195.243.203.21/rainbow/img/Multilanguage/ReferenceLine.png

Audio Development MM Series

http://www.audiodevelopment.it/eng/car/car/mm.html

Micro Precision Z Series

http://www.micro-precision.eu/6.html

Morel Supremo

http://www.morelhifi.com/products/mob_components_tweeters_supremo.html

http://www.morelhifi.com/products/mob_components_woofers_supremo.html

ESB/Zapco 8000 Series/Competition

http://www.esb.it/serie_8000.html

http://www.zapco.com/prod/Speakers/Comp/2_CK-16.2_Frame.htm

http://www.zapco.com/prod/Speakers/Comp/2_CK-13.2_Frame.htm

http://www.zapco.com/prod/Speakers/Comp/CK-10.2_Frame.htm

Hertz Audio Mille

http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/default_en.htm

Hybrid Audio Legatia

http://www.hybrid-audio.com

Seas Lotus

http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=46

You been doing home audio for 20 years you know all the high-end raw driver makers so as stated above check out sites like:

http://www.madisound.com

http://www.solen.ca

http://www.partsexpress.com

 

[mcsoul 10+ year member]

Personally, I'd go with the new Alpine type X pros.

Alpine SPX-17PRO

$350

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10648_Alpine+SPX-17PRO.html

They are direct dirivitives of the Scan Speak Revelator line:

They use a moded version of this woofer:

18W/4531G 7" Revelator 4 ohm

$232 each

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45_228_256&products_id=929

The modifications appear to be made around improved ruggedization

and moisture tolerance.

And what appears to be a direct reapplication of

this $400 each ring tweeter.

R2904/7000-05 $398 each

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45_229_270_324&products_id=1580

Then they top it all off with what appear to be high

quality, and super flexible passive crossovers. If these

sound bad, your not doin it right.

 

[chucku 10+ year member]

Im not an expert, but have owned and heard many speakers, I like my boston pros, for the money, around $320 they are hard to beat. I run mine active, even though boston advises against it. If moneys no object there are sets that run $5000, you would really need to be a rich crazy eccentric audiophile to have them and the equipment to complement them. My buddie has focals that sound awesome but cost him $1800? Or something like that, they definetly dont sound 6x better though.