need more laid back speakers than my cdt ef61

[brocken 10+ year member]

Hi all, noob with a noob question here. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I ordered a set of CDT efg1 fg. They're great speakers with good midbass but no amount of tuning with my headunits eq will get these to not be harsh to my ears. It's not just the tweets but the mids too.

I'm looking for a great passive set around $300 or less. I don't have the time or money to go active so I would like something I can just drop in and have it sound good.

I've been reading that the DLS are pretty mellow as well as the Rainbow(UP6 and SLC are in my price range). I'm wondering if anybody has compared these to the CDT and if they're less harsh?

Another I'm thinking of is the Arc audio ACS. I noticed they have some of the Rainbow parts to the set. I have an Arc Audio 12 that I'm installing.

For power I have a US amps rated at 150rms. So something matched to that power would be good as well.

I was thinking about Diamond audio Hex or the d661 but I was reading that some think they're harsh even with the silk tweets. I have the older m661 in my other car and I like them but I don't know if the new crossovers are better or worse.

Please help! It seems impossible for me to find good speakers for my ultra sensitive ears. I really would like a full sound without it fatiguing my ears after 5 minutes. I don't crank it really loud but I like having it where the midbass is "present".

Thanks!

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[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

Improve your install... did you get the 560 "upgrade" (i.e. the crossovers that SHOULD come with the set)

 

[militaryboy91 10+ year member]

You may also want to consider a small amplifier to run your mids. You usually tend to get cleaner sound that way and you can tune the frequency to your liking. You can usually pick one up pretty cheap at a pawn shop. Try Diversified loans and pawn on HWY 99 in North Lynwood. You can also try one, I can't remember the name, by Aurora Village on 205th.

 

[brocken 10+ year member]

I do have the 560 crossovers with it. I realize that I could improve the install or go active but like I said, I don't have the time or money to do that. I don't know how that would combat the harshness anyway. I already matted the doors and I don't have any other options as far as mounting positions.

I really would just like to find a drop in component set that will be more mellow than the CDT's from the getgo.

 

[militaryboy91 10+ year member]

Are you looking for a component set or just some coaxial speakers?

 

[brocken 10+ year member]

going active would require that I run another set of speaker wires to the door and I really really don't want to do that. I already ran one set of wires into the door and have the crossovers mounted there.

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

I do have the 560 crossovers with it. I realize that I could improve the install or go active but like I said, I don't have the time or money to do that. I don't know how that would combat the harshness anyway. I already matted the doors and I don't have any other options as far as mounting positions.I really would just like to find a drop in component set that will be more mellow than the CDT's from the getgo.

When I had my EF-61CFi's, oddly enough they sounded better with more power. How are you powering them again?

 

[militaryboy91 10+ year member]

Do you know where Stereo Warehouse is on Aurora?

 

[brocken 10+ year member]

I'd really prefer a component set unless there's a great sounding coax set out there. I was under the impression that component is usually better?

I do know where the Stereo Warehouse is, I've been there before.

They did sound a teeny bit better when I hooked up the 150 watts per channel amp after having a 100 watts per channel on them. Nothing huge but it was noticeable. I really don't want to try out other amps either...I've already spent enough in that area.

Thanks for the help so far. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[militaryboy91 10+ year member]

I don't usually mess with component sets. They are pretty expensive. I usually get some quality coaxial speakers which you can usually get online for pretty cheap and put a four ch amp on them spending less than a component set would cost me. I like to put most of my $$$ in the trunk. I always like the way it sounds and never get any complaints from others unless its " Turn it Down!!!"

 

[militaryboy91 10+ year member]

Also if he still works there, Tony at Stereo Warehouse could be a big help if you explained your dilemma. We went to Shorewood together and as much as I pride myself for my expertise in car audio, he knows way more than me. Just don't ask him about which subs he likes. The only answer you will ever get is "Kicker".

 

[UndercoverPunk 5,000+ posts]

I don't usually mess with component sets. They are pretty expensive. I usually get some quality coaxial speakers which you can usually get online for pretty cheap and put a four ch amp on them spending less than a component set would cost me. I like to put most of my $$$ in the trunk. I always like the way it sounds and never get any complaints from others unless its " Turn it Down!!!"

I have more money going into the trunk than my frontstage... it's just not there yet.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I finally said screw it.... went all out, got rid of everything I had and got a really good frontstage, then moved onto the subs.

Your frontstage is easily the most important part of your system, lots of extremely important information comes out of the fronts than the subs.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

Both of these are laid back, but sound awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-TI-5-COMP-ELITE-5-25-COMPONENTS-TI5COMP_W0QQitemZ5853193491QQcategoryZ32819QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-X6-5-XENON-6-5-COMPONENT-SYSTEM-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ5854015447QQcategoryZ32819QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[brocken 10+ year member]

the trunk stuff is already settled. I really need a good set of components.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

I do have the 560 crossovers with it. I realize that I could improve the install or go active but like I said, I don't have the time or money to do that. I don't know how that would combat the harshness anyway. I already matted the doors and I don't have any other options as far as mounting positions.I really would just like to find a drop in component set that will be more mellow than the CDT's from the getgo.

the 560 XO's however don't have tweeter attenuation built in like the 456 or 480's. I have both of those crossovers. They have +3,0,-3 settings. The 480s are a slide switch and the 456 is a jumper. CDT wants the HP around 80hz for their mids, maybe yours is set a little high?