Best Speaker OPINIONS

[SQChevy 10+ year member]

Absolutely we can //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cuddle.gif.bd1b29c179c0482f8313dbd790b74c94.gif cause your so //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

I feel dirty just reading that. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[gbryant 10+ year member]

I just installed a pair of Hertz HSK 165... I replaced Focals.

I am assuming the Hertz need a break in period, they lack mid bass. Although they sound smoother in the upper midrange. I am waiting on the second pair to arrive, and I'll allow a period for break in, then I'll report again.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I know it's way too late to bump this thread, but oh well. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/typing.gif.fd7c44a94b6ea7a328969e3ae0e010f7.gif

But coloration courtesy of Alpine. I had a few sets and I wouldnt immediately compare them to the actual Revs...

Sold em cheap as I had no use for em.

The answer is "no"... Do you have any more of these laying around?...

What did Zaph say again, that the 12M is worth about $25-30 based on his objective testing?? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif
One man will change modern-day car audio more than any anyone and he goes by the name Dr Buwalda. No, I'm not a HAT guy or a Hybrid fanboy, but you have to give credit where credit is due. And no, you cannot hear a faraday ring. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

I would have to agree with both statments. Scott is has made a big impact on the Car Audio Scene and you can't hear a Faraday ring. I don't care has a speaker measure, if its sounds good its sounds good and the Hybrid Audio Drivers sound great, Faraday ring or not. You can't debate with results.

I read Zaph's review and still bought my Scan's as I got a good deal. After hearing them I'm more than happy with the money I spent.

I've ran HAT gear, and heard many cars that have it (think of where I live). IMHO, the scans perform much better. I know it's 'install install install', but every car I've heard the HAT's in have had a great install; some of them world-winning installs. After I plopped in my 12m's I noticed the difference immediately, without a bit of tuning. They seemed to me to be much more tonally accurate and have a sort of 'coloration' that I actually enjoyed. The HATs seemed very lifeless. They were just 'there'. This may appeal to some who like that but after running hats in my 3-way setup, I won't go back. They just weren't for me, *I guess*.

Dynaudio: I can't comment on running dyn's above mid level, but when I temporarily had my mw162's in the doors, playing up to 3.2k, they did perfectly fine... again, with no tuning. Just t/a & phase. They actually imaged at the dash.

Although, I also have heard a killer Dyn 2-way setup. My friend is running them in his Accord using the doors for the mw162 and the pillars for the md102's and his car sounds great. Even from the passenger's side it was quite nice. Stage seems really wide to me. speakers are neutral but not lifeless.

FWIW, I'm looking into the Alpine pro's for my wife's car. I can get the tweets/mids from pacparts for a bit less than $200 shipped. These are at the top of the list and if I could raise my budget a bit, I'd be going with some used Dyns. I easily think Dyn is worth the money. I can't say that I'd not hesitate to spend $$$ on the scans unless I was getting good deals, but I will say that if you don't have a limited budget, Scan drivers would be #1 on my list. And I've tried/listened to many drivers in the past couple years.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Sorry bud, there long gone. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

You do know that I have direct access to the scans and all the others though right? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I did not know that.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't be driving my nice components with an alpine PDX amp.
Personally I power the componants with a Focal FP 2.75 amp, but if I was doing it again I would just pick up a JL 300/2.

Yep, it's just you. Like paying a premium for a name I see.

 

[Fine Vol 10+ year member]

Yep, it's just you. Like paying a premium for a name I see.

Yea the PDX has had great reviews.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

Yea the PDX has had great reviews.

And is completely overrated and overpriced. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Aaah yes, the install. Simply by cutting a hole in your sealed kick enclosure on the 12M you will get less than desirable results. If you don't know what to listen for, you probably will miss it IME. Never give a man a gun without teaching him how to shoot it.

Take the 12M out and put the L4 in that "ported" enclosure and you've gained a few crucial elements you didn't have before...probably 4-5 octaves of bandwidth. If you can use that to your advantage, go for it. Will it sound "amazing?" Nah, that's one of those cliche statements guys like to throw around when they hear what they believe the should hear.

Both drivers have their own unique abilities. Pick and choose the aspect you want and use them to your advantage. The L4 clearly has more midrange, I will say that with 100% certainty. The 12M can deliver almost exactly what it is supposed to without a lot of extra stuff (non-linear distortion?). No driver is perfect. Car stereo is built on compromise.

I believe what you hear when you take a seat in a excellent-sounding car is and excellent sounding car.....with a sound system placed in it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

I can get the tweets/mids from pacparts for a bit less than $200 shipped.

Say what? Those aren't Tymphany built, are they?

 

[Here-I-Come 10+ year member]

I know it's way too late to bump this thread, but oh well. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/typing.gif.fd7c44a94b6ea7a328969e3ae0e010f7.gif



The answer is "no"... Do you have any more of these laying around?...

I read Zaph's review and still bought my Scan's as I got a good deal. After hearing them I'm more than happy with the money I spent.

I've ran HAT gear, and heard many cars that have it (think of where I live). IMHO, the scans perform much better. I know it's 'install install install', but every car I've heard the HAT's in have had a great install; some of them world-winning installs. After I plopped in my 12m's I noticed the difference immediately, without a bit of tuning. They seemed to me to be much more tonally accurate and have a sort of 'coloration' that I actually enjoyed. The HATs seemed very lifeless. They were just 'there'. This may appeal to some who like that but after running hats in my 3-way setup, I won't go back. They just weren't for me, *I guess*.

Dynaudio: I can't comment on running dyn's above mid level, but when I temporarily had my mw162's in the doors, playing up to 3.2k, they did perfectly fine... again, with no tuning. Just t/a & phase. They actually imaged at the dash.

Although, I also have heard a killer Dyn 2-way setup. My friend is running them in his Accord using the doors for the mw162 and the pillars for the md102's and his car sounds great. Even from the passenger's side it was quite nice. Stage seems really wide to me. speakers are neutral but not lifeless.

FWIW, I'm looking into the Alpine pro's for my wife's car. I can get the tweets/mids from pacparts for a bit less than $200 shipped. These are at the top of the list and if I could raise my budget a bit, I'd be going with some used Dyns. I easily think Dyn is worth the money. I can't say that I'd not hesitate to spend $$$ on the scans unless I was getting good deals, but I will say that if you don't have a limited budget, Scan drivers would be #1 on my list. And I've tried/listened to many drivers in the past couple years.

The one car I listen to that had the 12m's in it was great, if I remember correctly had had MD100 for tweeters and a Scan midbasses. It's no doubt a great driver. Once more the 12m's did fair well in Zaph's test, but the fact is it is still in the top 3 of 4" pure midranges you can buy. The Hybrid drivers are not for everyone. The have very robust sound, but lifeless is not a word I would use. Natural is what I would call it, which to some is a dry sound. I'm looking to buy a set of 12m and L4 for a 4-4.5" wideband comparison i'm planning to do soon, also these 2 are in my top 5 small midranges and others 3 a quite a bit cheaper and will give them a run for their money, but will not be able to quite match them orl better them.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Say what? Those aren't Tymphany built, are they?

If you're referencing the F1 derivatives... no. I'm talking about the new spx-17pro's drivers.

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

If you're referencing the F1 derivatives... no. I'm talking about the new spx-17pro's drivers.

You said the tweeter from the latest "X" generation set from Alpine is available for purchase from Pac Parts.

I asked if those tweeters were built for Alpine by Tympany (Scan)...as they did (or still do?) for the F#1 series.

What is your final answer, bikini?

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

And is completely overrated and overpriced. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
Aaah yes, the install. Simply by cutting a hole in your sealed kick enclosure on the 12M you will get less than desirable results. If you don't know what to listen for, you probably will miss it IME. Never give a man a gun without teaching him how to shoot it.

Take the 12M out and put the L4 in that "ported" enclosure and you've gained a few crucial elements you didn't have before...probably 4-5 octaves of bandwidth. If you can use that to your advantage, go for it. Will it sound "amazing?" Nah, that's one of those cliche statements guys like to throw around when they hear what they believe the should hear.

Both drivers have their own unique abilities. Pick and choose the aspect you want and use them to your advantage. The L4 clearly has more midrange, I will say that with 100% certainty. The 12M can deliver almost exactly what it is supposed to without a lot of extra stuff (non-linear distortion?). No driver is perfect. Car stereo is built on compromise.

I believe what you hear when you take a seat in a excellent-sounding car is and excellent sounding car.....with a sound system placed in it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

Are you speaking literally about my install?... I'm assuming you're just speaking in general about installs and their implications. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

When you say more midrange, do you mean bandwidth or presence? If bandwidth, then I'd agree as I know the 12m doesn't seem to want to play past 4k off-axis and I'm sure the L4 is designed to play higher. I don't really care to pull the specs up to verify what you are saying, so I'm just going by what I've been told by a few of the HAT guys. I know that the 12m 'supposedly' doesn't play low, but I'm not sure how low most want a 4" midrange to play. Mine plays well into 200hz without a hint of trouble. But, again, install controls this. I'm sure the L4 plays just as low(er). However, I’m not really concerned about bandwidth as long as the midrange covers 200-4k. To me, that seems to be the most important area, and in that area, the 12m sounds fantastic to me.

Here-I-Come, your comment about them ‘natural’… well, maybe we have different meanings for this. I consider the Dyns natural. I do not consider the HATs natural. However, I’m quite certain that the term I’m using would be your ‘natural’. Basically, they just play. I completely agree with what Fox says about them playing what they are supposed to, however, I still do not consider that ‘natural’. I guess I’m in the minority here as HAT seems to have taken over *not intended to sound condescending, hopefully you don't take it as that*. Again, I ran HAT myself. Enjoyed it for a while. Then I decided to try Scan and I can wholeheartedly say that the Scans sound much nicer and have a lot more character to their sound. Take it or leave it. I really can’t argue against what you guys hear, and what I hear. I’m just trying to give my input the best I know how. And since I have heard both in many different setups (like you two, I know), I just feel the Scan is the better of the two in every install I’ve heard. Like I said, it’s my $.02, I know. I hope that people are wise enough to demo speakers before taking a side on this matter.

- Erin

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

You said the tweeter from the latest "X" generation set from Alpine is available for purchase from Pac Parts.
I asked if those tweeters were built for Alpine by Tympany (Scan)...as they did (or still do?) for the F#1 series.

What is your final answer, bikini?

Well, I honestly don't know that answer. I somewhat answered it above. As far as I know, tymphany has nothing to do with the new generation type-x drivers. But, I've yet to find anyone to confirm/deny that. They do, however, have the same 'slit' design... though it appears to have changed a bit.

I would like to know that myself, foxy. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[FoxPro5 5,000+ posts]

Are you speaking literally about my install?... I'm assuming you're just speaking in general about installs and their implications. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

No, about mine and in general.

When you say more midrange, do you mean bandwidth or presence?

Bandwidth. My L4's are LP at 8k (thanks phase plug?). Never could get the Scan above 5k and still have it play quality midrange. The drivers were direct swap, in and out of the same kick. Like I said, once you try to run the 12M IB, things happen. Just my experience, but a lot of other car audio freeeks I think would agree.

I agree with you on some of your comments. I thought the L3 was plain old boring to listen to. The L4 is a breath of fresh air compared to it. I'm not going to go into the audiophile sound nonsense, but the L4 is one hell of a capable midrange with excellent plug and play capability. The Scan 12M is like a anal sphincter before a proctology exam; you need to romance it a little to get it to open up. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif