Image Dynamics

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

I'm considering taking my Focal Polyglass 136V comps out and getting a set of Image Dynamics CXS52 comps. I love everything about my Focals, but they really do lack in the midbass department. The IDs have a much better low end frequency response than my Focals (55 Hz vs 90 Hz). I'm assuming they'll have better midbass response compared to my Focals. I do realize both are 5.25" comps and they're not going to have extraordinary midbass. Also, there's a lot of talk about 4 ohm speakers playing smoother and cleaner than 2 ohm speakers. Is this true? I don't see why it would be, but I really don't know. I'd like the 2 ohm version because my amp will obviously put out more power.

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[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

both are great speakers but I like the in your face sound of ID. As far as 5.25" go they are pretty solid FOR a 5.25", comes a point where they will start to break up at higher volumes though..same with every 5.25" i have tried. The beastliest 5.25" I have owned was an AVI and even those were the "weak link" in a pure volume pushing system. For SQ where you listen at normal levels they are pretty awesome (both ID and AVI).

 

[hornedfrog1985 5,000+ posts]

Those IDS are pretty sweet looking.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

both are great speakers but I like the in your face sound of ID. As far as 5.25" go they are pretty solid FOR a 5.25", comes a point where they will start to break up at higher volumes though..same with every 5.25" i have tried. The beastliest 5.25" I have owned was an AVI and even those were the "weak link" in a pure volume pushing system. For SQ where you listen at normal levels they are pretty awesome (both ID and AVI).

Thanks. I really hate having 4x6 factory speakers. I have a baffle in there right now that holds my Focals in place. I could probably get one made to hold a 6.5" but I don't think I could power any decent 6.5" without stepping up my amp.

Those IDS are pretty sweet looking.

I know. Too bad they'll be covered by my factory grilles. I like the factory look. That way passersby that look in my car have no clue what's in there.

 

[RowJoe 10+ year member]

Ditch the rears and bridge your amp!

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

I'd strongly suggest that you listen to the CXS' before buying. I had a pair that to this day remains as the single worst sounding set of speakers I've installed into any of my cars. This always seems to surprise someone on this forum, making one wonder whether the usual slew of recommendations stem from actual listening experiences. OTOH, as your sonic wish list hinges on frequency response, you may be influenced by other factors than yours truly. Good luck.

I'd like the 2 ohm version because my amp will obviously put out more power.

There's no free lunch. Yes, an amp's wattage is higher at 2 Ohms, but it takes 2 watts of juice at 2 Ohms to generate the same output as 1 watt at 4 Ohms. For whatever reason, car audio always skips over this little diddy, but that's how it works.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

I'd strongly suggest that you listen to the CXS' before buying. I had a pair that to this day remains as the single worst sounding set of speakers I've installed into any of my cars. This always seems to surprise someone on this forum, making one wonder whether the usual slew of recommendations stem from actual listening experiences. OTOH, as your sonic wish list hinges on frequency response, you may be influenced by other factors than yours truly. Good luck.


There's no free lunch. Yes, an amp's wattage is higher at 2 Ohms, but it takes 2 watts of juice at 2 Ohms to generate the same output as 1 watt at 4 Ohms. For whatever reason, car audio always skips over this little diddy, but that's how it works.

My decision is not only based on frequency response, but power handling and user feedback as well. You are one of the first individuals who have said they're terrible speakers. What didn't/don't you like about them? Also the statement about power at 4 ohms and 2 ohms seems to maybe be only partially true. The efficiency of the speaker should play a role as well. Are you saying that I'd be better off underpowering the 4 ohm version with 70 watts rather than properly powering the 2 ohm version with 100 watts?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

Just to clarify, the reasons I'm interest in these 5.25s is because of their low end frequency response, impedance, power handling, price, and their size. They seem perfect for my application and generally have very good user feedback. I realize overpowering nice components isn't the end of the world, but my amp is rated at 100 watts at 2 ohms which is what these speakers want. I'm open for suggestions, but I don't want to go too much over $250 shipped. I talked my "boss" into letting me get them and that's the price she's "happy" with, as am I.

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

My decision is not only based on frequency response, but power handling and user feedback as well. You are one of the first individuals who have said they're terrible speakers.

I know; I always hear that. Curious how most of so-called user feedback comes from folks who either have a different ID model and/or have never had these in their own cars.

What didn't/don't you like about them?

I've posted it several times. I'm sure my comments are easy to find with a quick search of this forum.

Also the statement about power at 4 ohms and 2 ohms seems to maybe be only partially true. The efficiency of the speaker should play a role as well.

1. I think you mean sensitivity, not efficiency. It's not the same thing.

2. The effect described is irrelevant to that factor.

Are you saying that I'd be better off underpowering the 4 ohm version with 70 watts rather than properly powering the 2 ohm version with 100 watts?

I don't even know what that means to someone familiar with audio.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I have installed CXs before and also heard them in a few SQ cars at USACI finals, I have heard much worse that cost so much more and I have also heard much worse that cost less AND I have heard worse even though it was HYPED to be a lot more than what it was.

 

[jrouter76 10+ year member]

I'd strongly suggest that you listen to the CXS' before buying. I had a pair that to this day remains as the single worst sounding set of speakers I've installed into any of my cars. This always seems to surprise someone on this forum, making one wonder whether the usual slew of recommendations stem from actual listening experiences. OTOH, as your sonic wish list hinges on frequency response, you may be influenced by other factors than yours truly. Good luck.


There's no free lunch. Yes, an amp's wattage is higher at 2 Ohms, but it takes 2 watts of juice at 2 Ohms to generate the same output as 1 watt at 4 Ohms. For whatever reason, car audio always skips over this little diddy, but that's how it works.

I have apair of ID oems that are very close to the CXS and my mids are the best yet that i have heard and this is based on personal listening , let me ask you you siad they are the worst sounding mids you have ever heard, compared to what? also how did you have them installed? and were you running them active and at what bandpass freqs did you use? you are the FIRST person that I have HEARD of that siad they are the worst sounding mids you have heard...makes me scratch my head.

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

I have apair of ID oems that are very close to the CXS and my mids are the best yet that i have heard and this is based on personal listening , let me ask you you siad they are the worst sounding mids you have ever heard, compared to what? also how did you have them installed? and were you running them active and at what bandpass freqs did you use? you are the FIRST person that I have HEARD of that siad they are the worst sounding mids you have heard...makes me scratch my head.

Yes, I know, I'm the first person you ever heard....

If you want to know more, do a quick search. The speakers were used with their crossovers. Please keep in mind they're the worst sounding speakers I've ever installed into any of my cars. That doesn't necessarily mean that worse speakers don't exist. It's just that I have never bought a pair that were more disappointing than the IDs. This also isn't meant to depreciate your personal purchasing decision. You like them. Great. There's no doubt that our sonic points of reference differ, as well.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

I have installed CXs before and also heard them in a few SQ cars at USACI finals, I have heard much worse that cost so much more and I have also heard much worse that cost less AND I have heard worse even though it was HYPED to be a lot more than what it was.

Thanks, this is more encouraging.

 

[jrouter76 10+ year member]

Yes, I know, I'm the first person you ever heard....
If you want to know more, do a quick search. The speakers were used with their crossovers. Please keep in mind they're the worst sounding speakers I've ever installed into any of my cars. That doesn't necessarily mean that worse speakers don't exist. It's just that I have never bought a pair that were more disappointing than the IDs. This also isn't meant to depreciate your personal purchasing decision. You like them. Great. There's no doubt that our sonic points of reference differ, as well.

not a problem

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

Hey ejshultz,

My buddy own a tuner shop in Frisco,ca. which he carry ID products.

He is redoing his z300, with all ID products.

Some people like ID some dont, I personally like ID.

they make a solid product & there mids for the price is one of the best well balanced mids in a comp set around.

They do have great midbass, upper mid is really nice.

I like the fact the vocals dont over power everthing else, not like my cdt's where the vocals over power everything.