I'm officially insane Rainbow vs. Focal

[ksauers 10+ year member]

I'm a newbe and this board has driven me insane. The only thing I know for sure is,6.5 comps in a 2000 f150 supercab,amp will be later,focal or rainbow,I listen to rock, soft Chili Peppers,Audioslave,Floyd, Beatles,Hendix,72- 74 King Crimson,and alt/country I spent along time yesterday listening to Focals. 165A were pretty good,165v2 much better and 165K2P were awesome.The Focal said dealer said they will install whatever I bring them for 100 bucks. Whatever I end up with will be an onlineor 6spd purchase. I was leaning to slc165 and then I saw the cmx line and wonder what the diff is between these 2.I assumed the cmx were better than the germs based on their website but I found out they are much cheaper so aren'tt they?And where would the 165k2p's equate to Rainbows .My insanity has caused me to ramble on.

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[T3mpest 10+ year member]

If you've listened to the focals and enjoyed them I'd go with those. I guess it comes down to how much you liked those.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

i guess the k2p's would be in below the germs and above the cmx's they handle a crap load of power, sound great, but i think x over might beat the focal's not by much i think.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Just an observation....you stated "amp will come later"

Is that to mean the amp to power these is a secondary consideration or it will literally come later as in you're going to power whatever components you end up buying with the HU until you can afford to buy an amp for them later??

Components in general (but more specifically components of that level of quality) are going to yield really disappointing performance being powered by a HU's internal amp. 20 watts or so just won't do them any justice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[ksauers 10+ year member]

An amp will come later they will be run off an Alpine 9847 for now.

The peak, rms, and sensitivity are all similar to the Memphis mclass 5x7s that I am running now.

 

[joek86 10+ year member]

I came to the same crossroads.... I decided on the Focals because I could actually audition them at a local dealer and they sound great. If I have problems, I go back to them ETC. I went with 6.5 K2P midbass, 4" K2P mid and K2P tweeter.

Joe

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

An amp will come later they will be run off an Alpine 9847 for now.The peak, rms, and sensitivity are all similar to the Memphis mclass 5x7s that I am running now.

Worst Idea ever buddy. They are going to sound like absolute crap. You need to invest in an amp RIGHT NOW! Especially if your lookin' at those cars.

And if your comparing the SLC's to the Focal you most definetly need to grab the Focals. They will destroy them. They are insane speakers and best for rock/country. I gurantee you'll be happy with your purchase.

Once again I warn you DO NOT run them off your HU's power and just buy the amp now. You'll regret because they will sound like absolute SHIT when there running off of the HU's power

-Nick-

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

An amp will come later they will be run off an Alpine 9847 for now.The peak, rms, and sensitivity are all similar to the Memphis mclass 5x7s that I am running now.

Just an //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif peak wattage ratings mean absolutely zero when it comes to actual implementation of audio gear whether those ratings are in regards to speakers, subwoofers, head unit internal amps, or outboard amplifiers.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Worst Idea ever buddy. They are going to sound like absolute crap. You need to invest in an amp RIGHT NOW! Especially if your lookin' at those cars.
And if your comparing the SLC's to the Focal you most definetly need to grab the Focals. They will destroy them. They are insane speakers and best for rock/country. I gurantee you'll be happy with your purchase.

Once again I warn you DO NOT run them off your HU's power and just buy the amp now. You'll regret because they will sound like absolute SHIT when there running off of the HU's power

-Nick-

Your speaking from experience with both sets?

IASCA Judges may disagree..

"On the IASCA competition at Valencia, Spain our Spanish distributor Gastel Fabrique Direct took 1st place with the SLC 265. The sound quality score was 3 points ahead of the much more expensive "Focal Utopia"."

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

Your speaking from experience with both sets?
IASCA Judges may disagree..

"On the IASCA competition at Valencia, Spain our Spanish distributor Gastel Fabrique Direct took 1st place with the SLC 265. The sound quality score was 3 points ahead of the much more expensive "Focal Utopia"."

All in the install ofcourse. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Most likely, yes. But a win is a win. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Geno Xide 10+ year member]

Focals.

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Your speaking from experience with both sets?
IASCA Judges may disagree..

"On the IASCA competition at Valencia, Spain our Spanish distributor Gastel Fabrique Direct took 1st place with the SLC 265. The sound quality score was 3 points ahead of the much more expensive "Focal Utopia"."

You know I've read that before....but I still find it so hard to believe

Of course I don't doubt it by any means because it's a win like you said. But thats just insane you guys had to of done some crazy imaging and some major tweeking to get it to that point.

Don't get me wrong I love rainbows products and I know you sell them because I'm lookin' to pick up the Power Line sometime soon, once someone buys my Z's. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

Also curious....what model Utopias were you going up against? An Older set of the newest ones. Becaues I highly doubt you beat out their newest product? If so congrats. But you have to know he's not going to have the same install as that guy had.

And to clear the air...yes experiance w/ both sets

-Nick-

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

You know I've read that before....but I still find it so hard to believe
Of course I don't doubt it by any means because it's a win like you said. But thats just insane you guys had to of done some crazy imaging and some major tweeking to get it to that point.

Don't get me wrong I love rainbows products and I know you sell them because I'm lookin' to pick up the Power Line sometime soon, once someone buys my Z's. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

Also curious....what model Utopias were you going up against? An Older set of the newest ones. Becaues I highly doubt you beat out their newest product? If so congrats. But you have to know he's not going to have the same install as that guy had.

And to clear the air...yes experiance w/ both sets

-Nick-

Its all good just pointing it out. Theres a ton here that would say either or, but havent had experience with both. I do also carry Focal and have for years. Just not much interest in them lately.

In that specific comparison it was the older set, not the current Berylliums. Still a high $200 Vs $1200ish range comparo. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[etsanch]

The brands/models you mentioned are good sets and it will all come down to your listening preference and how well they are installed on your vehicle