So I wanted to go and audition some speakers from Arc and Focal. I listened to the XDi series $209 the Arc series $379 and the Black series $849 from Arc Audio. From Focal I listen to the V30 series $550 and the IS series $329. To my ears I liked the Arc better they just seemed fuller more mids and no screaming highs. My favs were the Blacks but at $849 thats too rich for my blood. I really liked the Arcs too which really werent that far off from just standing there switching back and forth...
Basically it broke down to these components and how I want to or should piece them together...
Black series 6.2 $849
Arc series 6.2 $379
KS300.4 $399
KS300.2 $399
RE SEX10" $318 in ported box
The guys gave me a few option suggestions:
Black series, KS300.4 $1700 installed
or
Arc series, KS300.4, KS300.2, RE SEX10" $2014 installed
I am thinking maybe:
Arc series, KS300.4, RE SEX10" $1530 installed
I will be using them and I am limited to these brands. I dont want to buy a bunch of stuff online and take it to them to install. I asked about that and he was honest with me...They give a 3 year warranty on all parts and labor...
BTW the only thing I didnt know at least a little about was the RE subs. They said they were very nice and really didnt even mention any of their other brands such as alpine focal JL Kicker Arc Audio and a few others.
That *****...and with just simple drop ins on the speakers, no sq treatments means it is going to be a crap shoot for some decent midbass, no matter what comps you buy....at least hope they do a decent tweeter install for some kind of decent imaging. The equipment is good minus the re sub and pre-fab box...but without careful detail in the install, not to mention a lack of active capability in the cheapest option, you are going to be stuck with what you get with hardly any room for tweaking all that high dollar equipment. The Arc prices are the same as buying direct from Arc Audio, or woofers etc.. No biggie and the amps are designed by Robert Zeff..good stuff.
They are going to make $318 + $100 for install on the sub alone, if my figuring is right based on what you have said.
The sub box...was that ported or sealed?
Here is what I would recommend-
Get the KS 300.4 and the Arc series. Have them set up the comps active on the KS300.4. Focus on having them sealed in the doors and some sound dampening on the door skins...at least find out what they would charge you for a decent install instead of a simple drop-in. Inquire about the possibility of adding an extra midbass to each door and the cost involved. Tell them you want good on axis tweeter imaging when they do the install (dash, window pillars, etc).
IF you can pull this off, you may find you do not need a small sub.
But if you still do and since low frequencies are omnidirectional, you do not need to spend on high end equipment to get excellent results. It is not as critical as keeping distortion out of your tweeters. The Alpine MRX55 550w Class D monoblock lists for $330..you might get that cheaper from the dealer(they are $279 online). As far as sub/box, you can buy a much better sub online for much less than the RE and have an efficient box built specifically for that particular sub to get the best sound (and most) out of it. The act of installing a sub /box is simply placing the box in the vehicle and hooking up 2 wires..you can do it, bro.
Going with the active crossovers you are buying with the amp means you should just buy some mids and a set of tweeters...don't spend $100 for passive crossovers included in the comp sets since you will not use them if you use the x-overs you are paying for in the amp.
-just my .02
