Cheap Mids: Orion, American Bass, Power Bass, db Drive

[seedlings]

6.5" midrange options... Affordable, like under $100 (50?) for a pair, and with high power handling around 200W rms.

I've been looking up

Power Bass

Orion Cobalt

db Drive

Cadence

American Bass

Audiopipe

Of these, the Orion CM64 is appealing CM Series - Orion Car Audio

If you have experience with these range of power handling and price point, which would you go with?

CHAD

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I have the db drive pros, They get loud but the soundqubed pro 6.5s sound better. I wouldnt recomend too high of a power rating unless you really have a quality amp to drive em.

 

[fly_marlin]

6.5" midrange options... Affordable, like under $100 (50?) for a pair, and with high power handling around 200W rms.
I've been looking up

Power Bass

Orion Cobalt

db Drive

Cadence

American Bass

Audiopipe

Of these, the Orion CM64 is appealing CM Series - Orion Car Audio

If you have experience with these range of power handling and price point, which would you go with?

CHAD

PRV Audio 6MB200-4 6-1/2" Midbass Woofer 4 Ohm

Under $100 for the pair and 200w RMS per pair.

 

[seedlings]

I was hoping for 200W per driver, and sensitivity in the 90s. Next upgrade is a dedicated amp for the mids, and better / more powerful speakers. I don't really need much louder, but the headroom would be nice for metal and alternative music so they don't operate so near distortion, where it starts to sound stuffy.

I play guitar and I'd like to hear a convincing 50W tube guitar amp loudness in the car.

Another option is the Montero Sport has a decent setup for a 3-way system, with 4" in the dash. This may be a better route, but cost is critical. I can't dump $500 on speakers and $300 on an amp. If there was a nice 6.5" and nice 4" to be had for the $100 mark, or maybe $120, then I could go that route. Most of the 4" mids have pretty low power handling though.

CHAD

 

[seedlings]

Image didn't attach.

CHAD

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

You need to add an amplifier for the speakers first if headroom is your major limitation now. Higher sensitivity mids will be louder regardless, but that isn't going to fix a lack of amplifier power. Don't focus so much on speaker power handling. The state of speaker power ratings in car audio is a mess because of inconsistency across manufacturers. CEA-2031 is a standard that not a lot of manufacturers follow.

3-way components can sound amazing when it's executed well, but that doesn't necessarily mean that will get you the realistic loudness you want. Also, reducing distortion may actually take away from the sound you like.

 

[fly_marlin]

I was hoping for 200W per driver, and sensitivity in the 90s. Next upgrade is a dedicated amp for the mids, and better / more powerful speakers. I don't really need much louder, but the headroom would be nice for metal and alternative music so they don't operate so near distortion, where it starts to sound stuffy.
I play guitar and I'd like to hear a convincing 50W tube guitar amp loudness in the car.

Another option is the Montero Sport has a decent setup for a 3-way system, with 4" in the dash. This may be a better route, but cost is critical. I can't dump $500 on speakers and $300 on an amp. If there was a nice 6.5" and nice 4" to be had for the $100 mark, or maybe $120, then I could go that route. Most of the 4" mids have pretty low power handling though.

CHAD

As always, trumpet has solid advice. If you're going to upgrade speakers later anyway, you won't go wrong with $30 speakers that handle 100w each. I found what you want btw:

PWX 6.5" CRESCENDO PRO AUDIO MID RANGE - SSA STORE

Are you expanding the budget in the future or?..

I'm a bit confused about your general direction - are you on a budget now, but won't be later? You'll need a pretty powerful amp to run these high powered speakers btw. Not a $100 deal.

 

[big scott]

im useing 4 sq 6.5 pros and they get loud and sound good.

im pushing them with 200 rms ( 2 per ch at 2ohms )

well a 100rms each.

and they do get loud......

and they are good price

$56 a set.

QP-MR6.5 (Sold As Pair) (Grills Not Included)

 

[seedlings]

As always, trumpet has solid advice. If you're going to upgrade speakers later anyway, you won't go wrong with $30 speakers that handle 100w each. I found what you want btw:
PWX 6.5" CRESCENDO PRO AUDIO MID RANGE - SSA STORE

Are you expanding the budget in the future or?..

I'm a bit confused about your general direction - are you on a budget now, but won't be later? You'll need a pretty powerful amp to run these high powered speakers btw. Not a $100 deal.

Please allow me to further confuse //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

I'm always on a tight budget. Or, maybe I'm just tight! Small purchases are easier to fit into a monthly budget, where $500 won't. Maybe I should say this another way... to stay in good keeping with the missus, I better limit spending!

So, I have the one Soundqubed 15 on 500 watts. That's what, maybe 135db? I don't know, but it's the right amount for me. I'm finding that the mids are lacking with $10/per speakers (shock, I know). But, these can transfer into my son's car (his birthday is coming up, so is mine). At that point, I can perhaps spring for a better set in my vehicle with (probably) the blessing of my wife.

I have the 4-channel Jensen amp, and it's tested at 40W RMS @ 4 ohms, but I need to drag out the oscilloscope to find out where the weak link is - most likely the ubercheap VM speakers, but maybe not. It can be bridged, but that only gains like 3dB, which these speakers won't handle. So, a more efficient speakers gains 3db. 2x power gains 3 more dB, which will be the noticeable boost I'm looking for. Next step would be a more powerful amp, like those Lanzar Optis @ 220W rms for $60 (or whatever other amp I can find used/cheap).

I am familiar with audio and electronics in general, just not much on specific brands and products in the car audio realm.

I found what you want btw:
PWX 6.5" CRESCENDO PRO AUDIO MID RANGE - SSA STORE

Yeah, those might be the ticket!

With no comments about Orion or any of those other brands, should I assume they're not worth pursuing at all?

Given 1) low price, and 2) loud power handling, there's not much room left for SQ, but that's the final narrowing point. IF, *IF*, someone can convince me 100% that model ______ is the ultimate dream midrange, loud, detailed whole shebang, I may be persuaded to wait for that one.

CHAD

 

[av83 10+ year member]

im useing 4 sq 6.5 pros and they get loud and sound good.
im pushing them with 200 rms ( 2 per ch at 2ohms )

well a 100rms each.

and they do get loud......

and they are good price

$56 a set.

QP-MR6.5 (Sold As Pair) (Grills Not Included)

don't let the plain jane appearance fool ya... these actually sound really good while getting loud. I've ran a slew of higher-end midbass drivers and i like these better than pretty much all of them. Fantastic drivers for what they cost.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

Please allow me to further confuse //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif
I'm always on a tight budget. Or, maybe I'm just tight! Small purchases are easier to fit into a monthly budget, where $500 won't. Maybe I should say this another way... to stay in good keeping with the missus, I better limit spending!

So, I have the one Soundqubed 15 on 500 watts. That's what, maybe 135db? I don't know, but it's the right amount for me. I'm finding that the mids are lacking with $10/per speakers (shock, I know). But, these can transfer into my son's car (his birthday is coming up, so is mine). At that point, I can perhaps spring for a better set in my vehicle with (probably) the blessing of my wife.

I have the 4-channel Jensen amp, and it's tested at 40W RMS @ 4 ohms, but I need to drag out the oscilloscope to find out where the weak link is - most likely the ubercheap VM speakers, but maybe not. It can be bridged, but that only gains like 3dB, which these speakers won't handle. So, a more efficient speakers gains 3db. 2x power gains 3 more dB, which will be the noticeable boost I'm looking for. Next step would be a more powerful amp, like those Lanzar Optis @ 220W rms for $60 (or whatever other amp I can find used/cheap).

I am familiar with audio and electronics in general, just not much on specific brands and products in the car audio realm.

Yeah, those might be the ticket!

With no comments about Orion or any of those other brands, should I assume they're not worth pursuing at all?

Given 1) low price, and 2) loud power handling, there's not much room left for SQ, but that's the final narrowing point. IF, *IF*, someone can convince me 100% that model ______ is the ultimate dream midrange, loud, detailed whole shebang, I may be persuaded to wait for that one.

CHAD

I've listened to both and prefer the sq mids. The quality of sound really blew me away when i swapped them in. I was expecting them to be loud... but they actually sounded really good lol. i was NOT expecting it, tbh.

 

[big scott]

don't let the plain jane appearance fool ya... these actually sound really good while getting loud. I've ran a slew of higher-end midbass drivers and i like these better than pretty much all of them. Fantastic drivers for what they cost.

really ????

as i want to go loud sq and was looking around for better speaker.

as i have not tried any other 6.5 and i do like them, but was wandering if there was better sounding 6.5 out there.

 

[fly_marlin]

Please allow me to further confuse //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif
I'm always on a tight budget. Or, maybe I'm just tight! Small purchases are easier to fit into a monthly budget, where $500 won't. Maybe I should say this another way... to stay in good keeping with the missus, I better limit spending!

So, I have the one Soundqubed 15 on 500 watts. That's what, maybe 135db? I don't know, but it's the right amount for me. I'm finding that the mids are lacking with $10/per speakers (shock, I know). But, these can transfer into my son's car (his birthday is coming up, so is mine). At that point, I can perhaps spring for a better set in my vehicle with (probably) the blessing of my wife.

I have the 4-channel Jensen amp, and it's tested at 40W RMS @ 4 ohms, but I need to drag out the oscilloscope to find out where the weak link is - most likely the ubercheap VM speakers, but maybe not. It can be bridged, but that only gains like 3dB, which these speakers won't handle. So, a more efficient speakers gains 3db. 2x power gains 3 more dB, which will be the noticeable boost I'm looking for. Next step would be a more powerful amp, like those Lanzar Optis @ 220W rms for $60 (or whatever other amp I can find used/cheap).

I am familiar with audio and electronics in general, just not much on specific brands and products in the car audio realm.

Yeah, those might be the ticket!

With no comments about Orion or any of those other brands, should I assume they're not worth pursuing at all?

Given 1) low price, and 2) loud power handling, there's not much room left for SQ, but that's the final narrowing point. IF, *IF*, someone can convince me 100% that model ______ is the ultimate dream midrange, loud, detailed whole shebang, I may be persuaded to wait for that one.

CHAD

From the reviews, I'd do the PRV neo mids for $100 a pop. 200w rms and great reviews. You'll need a pretty big amp on those though. Btw, high power handling and SQ actually go hand in hand, they are not mutually exclusive. I'm not sure if you're basing this on previous car setups or just put together a theory, but you may not need all that power/power handling.

We put in a 100W x 4 at 4ohm US amps on front comps and rear coaxials. This isn't pro audio stuff, but car audio. We haven't been able to turn it up full volume as it was just too much. It is pretty loud. I don't think you need all that, especially since you only have a 500W sub stage. I'm not sure you realize how loud 200w speakers are on 200w of power.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

really ????
as i want to go loud sq and was looking around for better speaker.

as i have not tried any other 6.5 and i do like them, but was wandering if there was better sounding 6.5 out there.

I love them, and I'm usually changing them out every few months trying to find a better pair lol... but they really do sound pretty darn good. And a pair on 100 rms each are keeping up with a 5k substage better than I expected, for sure...

 

[seedlings]

I'm not sure you realize how loud 200w speakers are on 200w of power.

Perhaps. Although I do know how loud a 12" guitar speaker is on 50W of tube power, and a 100W tube amp with 2 12" guitar speakers will fill up a 500 seat venue - easily - and even make the drummer mad. Apples and oranges, I know.

My previous system back in the 1990s had a 2 channel Zapco amp 50RMS per side, on 5.25" & 1" titanium JBL separates and 2 10" operating bridged off of the same amp for a 3 way passive, low wattage system. And that sounded great, though not an SPL demon, but louder and clearer than what I have now.

Sidebar: I find it interesting that guitar amps operate heavily, VERY heavily into clipping (like square wave distortion/overdrive), yet a 50W amp won't blow up a 50W speaker.

CHAD