Focal vs CDT vs Germaniums

[1 Hugh Jass 10+ year member]

Everyone's ears are different, but a lot of people like the Focals. I listened to every component set that all of my local shops had and I kept coming back to the Focals. I ended up buying the 165 v1 the other day. Not the top of the line by any means, but to me, they sounded the best. Plus, they were the display model and I got them for $140.00!!!

I also have a set of CDTs sitting on a shelf so I can honestly say I like the Focals better.

 

[2kchevy06civic 5,000+ posts]

I haven't heard anything from the list except for Focals and I can say that focals can be nice but they can be very harsh at times.

 

[PremierAudio 10+ year member]

I personally have ran all of them. With Focal and Rainbow as my personal favorites, as well as our employees favorites. Which is why we are trying to aquire Focal products. There are a few subtle differences between the two, but they are actually fairly similiar. Yes, the Focals do have a brighter mid - high, but it is give and take on how well you tune them. The Rainbows are a little more warm sounding and are very smooth on the high end, they also seem to have more accurate midbass. The Focal seem to get a little muddy down low. But everyone that usually listens to them, after long hard decision seems to lean towards the Rainbows.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

i got myself some cdt hd-642, but it was a good deal at the time, if i went 2 way, rainbow would be for me, however, i think cdt makes some of the best 3 ways cause their mid ranges are very nice for a component set meaning when used passive. (there are better mid ranges but thats diy)

 

[djdilliodon 10+ year member]

I think that you really couldn't go too wrong with the Focal, CDT or Germaniums. Personally after finally hearing the CDT's at CES I would go with those. Very very true and very clear....

Did you hear the cdt bmw or the crossfire ?

 

[civic si 10+ year member]

i think focal and mb quart are tops for speaker components.....they expensive but depends on the material they put on the items i mean the magnets are little man you know but they tight...my buddy got mb quart he pounding loud bass man...forreals he got a us am crossover and that is bad man...i mean it work good mb Quart is top man....

 

[BMW Sidewayz 10+ year member]

Sounds like you found yourself a winner then. I would personally take the Germs because the Focals hurt my ears. Clarity on both is excellent though. Never heard/owned any of CDT's stuff.

True to to a certain extent, but be careful how far you take that. Lets do a little compare and contrast between say speakers and music. Music is created to portray emotion, ideas and sound pleasing. This can be subjectively evaluated. For example I love listening to Bonobo but my roommate thinks it crap. The lyrics, the rhythm, the vocals, the instruments...that is a purely subjective decision.

This makes lots of sence. I guess Nex time Im ready to move on to another brand will be the day that I listen to a better set with my own ears!!! Thanx ENZOWHO

and by the way what kinda car is that in ur Avatar???

 

[SQChevy 10+ year member]

I think you would be extremely happy with Focals. You have listened to them and enjoy them which is important. I plan on running a set of either K2's or maybe Be's, depending on tax return, in my daily driver. I already have the Be's in my competition vehicle. They sound amazing. I'm extremely happy with the K2's as well.

 

[Orion Man 10+ year member]

Off topic, but who makes the germaniums? Link to website?

 

[slick rick 10+ year member]

Rainbow does...

 

[enzowho 10+ year member]

by the way what kinda car is that in ur Avatar???

Lotus Exige built for the Pacific Tour. You can find Rainbow's site here.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

Stick to the theme.

German car deserves the best in German HiFi. Rainbow can dice it and slice it any way you like- they have plenty of speaker lines.

If you like the sound of Focal K2P's, you MUST listen to the Rainbow Vanadiums- some similar traits, but you will appreciate that tweeter in terms of listening fatigue concerns. They also are alot easier to tune. They can handle fast, loud dynamic content without skipping a beat at very high volume levels or sacrificing high freq extension . They also have some of the tightest, strongest kick bass out there. Their dome also allows better off axis dispersion than the funky K2P tweeter grill layout-allowing easier integration to certain install locations.

Its great to buy something you know you like. But theres also something to be said about experiencing other things in life. You seem local to me, I'd be glad to audition my fronstage for you so you can get a taste of the Rainbow

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

I had CDT's...and switched to Germs...and I have NEVER looked back. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

To be fair though, I believe the CDTs you ran were the CL-61s (since i bought the from you ). Could be wrong though. Hoever, if that is the case, then you can't really compare them to the Germs as they are in very different positions in the companies' lineups.

 

[slick rick 10+ year member]

To be fair though, I believe the CDTs you ran were the CL-61s (since i bought the from you ). Could be wrong though. Hoever, if that is the case, then you can't really compare them to the Germs as they are in very different positions in the companies' lineups.

This I know...and considering the CDT's were about 1/3 the price of the Germs they are a good deal. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Anyone ever compare the CDT ES or HD lines to the Germs?? Those might be a better comparison.