Hertz DSK amplified vs ESK non amplified

[RomanJohnston]

Background: I had a 2011 Sonata that I popped some DSK 6.5 Components in and mildly blown away at how good they sounded without any amplification.

I was told that they DSK line would not hold up to (or derive any real benifit) from say an Alpine 5 Channel Amp

Jump ahead a few months and I went and got a new 2014 Sonata. Will be keeping this for quite a while and want a decent setup with the factory head unit.

I have a few questions....

1. Has anyone here amped the DSK speakers, and if so did they improve in SQ or volume?

2. Has anyone here run the ESK lineup with factory power (no amp) and how did they sound?

3. Guessing the ESK will wake up SQ and volume wise after amp added

Basicly the reason I ask is because I will have to do this in phases to afford it. (Like Johnny Cash...one step at a time) If I go with a little more robust speakers (ESK) and live with them under stock power till I can get a quality wire kit, and 5 ch amp (looking at alpine unit and a LC7i lineout converter) (Eventually want sub...so have to save a bit)

What I will end up with is either a factory unit with DSK and splice in a sub amp (with LC2i)and micro sub from JL,

OR.....Save a bit more, go with the ESK, live with the unamplified sound for a while longer (but hopefully better than stock sound) and get my Alpine 5 Channel amp (with a LC7i lineout conveter) and the JL micro sub (the 8" box unit)

My fear is to get the ESK and put them in for a few months and sound like crap. Stock speakers are listening fatigue defined and driving my wife and I out of our minds with their muddied sound.

Thanks in advance for any help in understanding....I like the DSK very much...if it responds well to amplification would consider them to get a bit more volume ...not a super headbanger..just looking for great quality...but if ESK is the way to go....I will start the phases with them.

Roman

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[RomanJohnston]

Never mind. I answered my own question. I went back to the store and did "A" to "B" comparison between the DSK and the ESK. For you out there, my (very) subjective opinion is that I REALLY like the DSK separates. Even "A" & "B" & "C"ed them with the HSK. For my money, the light....almost airy feel of the output of the DSK units while not louder....had a magic to them. I was expecting fairy dust and unicorns to start flying out of them. (DISCLAIMER) I am getting older. Just turned 50...so rattling the windows these days is not my absolute goal. Dosnt mean I am an old fuddy duddy either. I like to crank from Dubstep, Trance, Old 70' rock, ICP...you name it...if its a quality recording...and or fun...I like it. I listened to over 30 songs on a special CD I prepared....the funny thing was. I was listening to the numbers wrong. #4 was the ESK, and #5 was the DSK...and all along I was listening to it ...I had it backwards. I thought the ESK was amazing...till I realized I was listening to the DSK. This was on a 45w/pc amp...so not over powered. My concern in the above post was getting the DSK amping them and cranking them up and not holding up. They got plenty loud for me...as I am more about sound quality then the ability to loosen my fillings.

End result. I will be getting the DSK for the front, and DCX for the rear. A JL 8" micro-sub box and an Alpine amp to drive that. Maybe in the future get a nice Alpine 4 channel 50+ watt unit for the door speakrs. I have to say...not going to win any SPL shoot-offs but for every day listening on a regular basis...the DSK driven even by the factory amp is surprisingly pleasing. The extra bass of the micro sub should do me well till I decide to amp the mains. If your looking for some bright airy speakers...that seem to have a soundstage that belies its cheapie beginners speakers price...I think Hertz NAILED these little units and will be a hidden gem overlooked by people wanting to crack their windows with volume.