Focal Component Selection

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

I finally was able to listen to a couple high end sets of components. Although the Focals were bright, they weren't harsh.

I think I would really like to try to run a 3-way upfront and would have fun playing with the staging. However, I don't feel like I can justify spending $1,200 on something that I might not fully understand yet. So I was thinking of maybe starting off with the 3-way Access line. I did hear that the tweeter for this line *****. Would my problems be solved if I bought a Focal TNK set of tweeters to replace the ones that come with the Access line-up?

Or would I have a better sounding setup if I just ran 2-way KR2's? The Focal setup I heard was the 3-way K2P's.

All input welcomed!

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[modskwod 10+ year member]

Imo, 3 ways are overkill. But then again, i have very little space, so every bit counts.

 

[mobeious 10+ year member]

i have the polyglass VR3 3ways and love them... not harsh at all ..

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

Which will sound better VR3s or 2-way KR2s?

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

Alright I'm definitely going with a set of 3-ways. Now my last question is which set?

Focal Access 165A3 or Focal 165 VR3? Are the VR3s worth the extra $130 or should I just save that extra $130 for my later set of 3-ways?

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

^^ Have you really thought about the tuning it will take for a 3way verse 2way???

as in placement,aiming,????

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

Yes, I love tinkering with things, and I also enjoy a good challenge. I'm going to make fiberglass pods on my dash, in the corners for the tweeters and mids, and then put the mid-bass in the factory location in the door. Sound good so far?

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

sounds like fun

Im going to redo my pillars as well.

When you start your build post pics so we can see.

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

I'll def post pics. I'll also be rebuilding my sub-woofer box once Sound Splinter gets some more RL-i8s in. I'm really looking forward to my new system.

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

So which should I go with the Access 3-ways or the Poly 3-ways?

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

1-Access is there lower line of comps

2-Poly is there middle of the road line of comps

3-k2p/krs is there nexrt to top of the line comps/which to me they are there best sounding comps.

4-Utopia is there top of the line comps.

I would choose the Poly.

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

Well I've made my decision I'm going to hold off a little bit and buy the KRX3's. I might as well buy what I want the first time.

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

Smart,but have you heard the Focal KRX3's???for $1,400 im not sure they are worth that kind of money.

If want to do it right for that amount of money you go DIY!!!

look at these raw drivers

http://www.madisound.com/manufacturers/seas/excel/tweeters.php

http://www.madisound.com/manufacturers/seas/excel/woofers.php

http://www.madisound.com/manufacturers/hivi/sm_fullrange.php

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/products_new2.php

you could run a active system or have madisound or partsexpress built you a passive xover.

have you thought about Hybrid audio????

http://www.hybrid-audio.com/products.htm

 

[RunninRedline 10+ year member]

You can get them for about $1,200 on sonic elec. I might look into running a set-up like that in my girls car.

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

$1200 is a lot of money just for a comp passive set.