Component Upgrade Analysis Paralysis - CDT CL61A

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

The title pretty much speaks for itself. I'm looking for an upgrade from my CDT CL61 component set. I've been pretty happy with the sound of them up to this point - they have very good clarity and get pretty loud, but lack mid bass.

I am looking at upgrading to one these, and would appreciate your feedback:

• Polk SR6500
  
• Pioneer TS-C780PRS
  
• DynAudio 240GT
  

I've heard great things about the Polk and Dyn's, but the Pioneers at half the price have also had stellar reviews. I'm looking for a warm sound with authoritative mid bass. What would you recommend in the $250-500 range outside of these?

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[cshaw 10+ year member]

did you at-least try some deadening?? install is key. mdf rings for a good seal, deadening and some kind of acoustical foam or absorber right behind the speaker will completely change your mind on how things sound with some good loving installness.

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

Doors are 100% sealed and deadened with Raamat + Ensolite. The speakers are installed on a custom 3/4" MDF mount. I think I'm covered on the install, but definitely a good suggestion.

 

[cshaw 10+ year member]

have you thought about piecing together your own set and just go active? go to partsexpress and see what they have. you can get some long throw woofers like some seleniums or the Tangband underhung 6.5’s look pimp.

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

I'm considering it, but I really like the simplicity of passive. I'll be picking up a JL 300/4 off a friend so I'll have the channels for it, and would just need a crossover. I'd like to stick to set if I can.

Those Tangband's look mean - at 4.3" deep not an option as they'd never fit.

This question's been asked a 1000 times I'm sure - time to do some more research and go find some dealers so I can listen to some. Thanks cshaw.

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

im trying to upgrade those same speakers. definatly lacking midbass

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

Anyone run these and have feedback (CDT M6 mids)? They look like they'd be a pretty solid upgrade over the 61 series mids on the lower end.

Would the JL 300/4 be enough power @75 watts each if I went active w/the M6 mids?

 

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

sorry i dont have helpful information, but i installed those mids in my deadened doors w/o a baffle and i still think the midbass is pretty decent.... i turn my sub off on some songs because i would rather listen to the cdt's

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

I'm considering it, but I really like the simplicity of passive.

I think its much easier to run active. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

sorry i dont have helpful information, but i installed those mids in my deadened doors w/o a baffle and i still think the midbass is pretty decent.... i turn my sub off on some songs because i would rather listen to the cdt's

I dunno..may be just the acoustics of my car. The stock locations in the doors are pretty low and to the front ('08 Altima) so possibly it's just the off-axis response. It was night and day when I sealed/deadened the doors, now I just want a little more! I really like the sound of the mids overall, just looking for a little more oomph to blend better w/the subs.

It may be time to eliminate the rears and the Cadence, and just go active up front on the JL. The xovers seem pretty decent on that amp. I've liked having rear fill up to this point, but it's really not necessary and the Cadence TXA-6004 would be overkill for just rear fill - 600X2 bridged. That amp is a beast of a budget amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

contact exige and tell him king ranch sent u trust me he will give u a nice deal and give u exact speakers you need for your application of power and sound desired he did the job perfect when he helped me

trust me some of the lines of cdt are just as good or better than the ones u r looking at

how much power do you have on hand

also the sr's dont get loud they are more for sq speakers not loud

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

I'll shoot him a PM thx for the tip king.

Right now I've got a Cadence TXA-6004 which puts out 150X4 and picking up a JL 300/4 tomorrow which is 75X4. Thinking I'll just pick up a new set of mids, as I'm pretty happy w/the tweet and using the JL to go active up front as it's got pretty decent xovers in it.

I was considering picking up some pioneer 720PRS mids for $100 that were just posted today - ran out and got a hair cut waiting on pics and they're gone now so need to figure out which ones to get.

 

[dftnz7 10+ year member]

If you are okay with your tweeters, why not keep them and the passives, and get a pair of ID OEM mids that Hessdawg has been selling on these boards for $90 shipped.

I just put a pair of them in Friday, and they absolutely blow my ID CTX (which are known for pretty good midbass) and RSDs away. They look like little subs and play low with authority, enough to make my door handle on the outside of the truck rattle like crazy, yet have a very detailed, articulate midrange. They basically are the same speaker as a CX64 which can be found on the image dynamics website.

 

[MikeATL 10+ year member]

Well I hooked up the JL 300/4 last night and went active on the comps and they sound a LOT better. The mids are crossed over at 3.3 @12db slope and the tweets are at 3.3 w/a 24db slope. I'm sure after a bit of tweaking it will get even better. Not sure that those are the best xover points, have a bit of research to do there. The midbass is a LOT better, and I don't miss the rear speakers at all.

I'll probably still get the M6 mids, but will have to wait a couple of weeks. Came home to a dead router tonight and had to buy a new one, so that and the JL blew my fun money //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

I read the reviews on the ID OEM mids and it seemed hit or miss w/folks on how much midbass they have - a few folks said they were disappointed w/the midbass but everyone seemed to be pretty well pleased w/them overall. At the price that's a heck of a deal.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Anyone run these and have feedback (CDT M6 mids)? They look like they'd be a pretty solid upgrade over the 61 series mids on the lower end.
Would the JL 300/4 be enough power @75 watts each if I went active w/the M6 mids?

No, I do noth think 75 watts would be nearly enough for the M6's.