Phoenix Gold Ti Elite vs. Rainbow CMX Kicks...

[bchandler 10+ year member]

About to pull the trigger on some new components, and I think I have it narrowed down to these two. Power will be 200 rms per side. I can do either an angled on axis doorpod, or mount the mids in the doors and tweets in A-pillar, depending on if the set likes on or off axis.

I've heard very good things about both sets. Will only 200 watts move that 3" voice coil enough on the PG?

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[Latina33 10+ year member]

About to pull the trigger on some new components, and I think I have it narrowed down to these two. Power will be 200 rms per side. I can do either an angled on axis doorpod, or mount the mids in the doors and tweets in A-pillar, depending on if the set likes on or off axis.
I've heard very good things about both sets. Will only 200 watts move that 3" voice coil enough on the PG?

Not sure about the PG's, but I know for a fact that the CMX's will JAM on 200w a side. And they sound great off-axis, too.

 

[bchandler 10+ year member]

Does a speaker set that sounds good off axis sound poor on axis? Is it one or the other, or do all speakers perform well on axis and off axis is just a bonus.

So if the CMX kick does well off axis, would it be better to mount the tweet right next to the mid in the door or in the pillar?

 

[Latina33 10+ year member]

Does a speaker set that sounds good off axis sound poor on axis? Is it one or the other, or do all speakers perform well on axis and off axis is just a bonus.
So if the CMX kick does well off axis, would it be better to mount the tweet right next to the mid in the door or in the pillar?

If a speaker sounds good off-axis, then it shouldn't matter if it is on or off axis...it should sound good mounted either way.

I've got my CMX mids in my factory door locations, and my CAL25 titan tweets in my A pillars, and they sound great to me. I'm not sure how the tweets would sound mounted closer to the woofer in the door....I personally prefer my tweets higher up towards my ear.

 

[Gary S 10+ year member]

Never liked Morel/Phoenix version... the Rainbows will give you more of a live sound.

 

[PremierAudio 10+ year member]

Very true, while the Phoenix are made with Morel based drivers, they just are not up to my standards or many others, that is after listening to many other brands in the same price range. If you want Morel, then get Morel.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I cant really compare them because i haven't heard the rainbows, but i have the elites on 1/2 of a x200.4 and 200 watts is plenty of power for them. I am happy with them, especially for what i paid.

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

After having owned Rainbows they are hard to beat.IMO I just don't feel the PG Ti are as good. The PG Ti are very good and better than many. Between these I would go with the Rainbows.

I feel the Cal25 is smoother and more detailed on the top end than the Ti.IMO I have not heard the W165 driver if its like the other ones I have heard then it will be hard to beat. However the Ti set is no slouch. Both have very good passive x-over networks. Them being so close in price I would pick the Rainbows. Now if I where getting a smokin' deal on the Ti it would be a harder choice. If there was a 100-150 price difference then I would give the Ti the vote for the bang for the buck.

I have not heard of anyone not pleased and impressed with the Rainbows. I certainly was.

Much of this is personal preference. So take from it what you will. This is just my .2cent.

 

[PremierAudio 10+ year member]

Very true, every person has different ears.

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

the Rainbows will give you more of a live sound.

What?

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

Very true, while the Phoenix are made with Morel based drivers, they just are not up to my standards or many others, that is after listening to many other brands in the same price range. If you want Morel, then get Morel.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif
The elites are dam near the same as the morel elates... They are not morel based drivers, they are morel drivers! Morel made the elites, which therefore makes them morel drivers... As for price range, these can be had for very reasonable prices, I know for a fact that I got them for a steal. Much cheaper than I could have got the rainbows for. It comes down to listening preference like mentioned. The morels are a laid back set. I love them, and they can take every bit of 300+ watts. I would not hesitate to grab this set all over again, especially if I could get my hands on the 9 inch 3way set //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

 

[Hoodlum007 10+ year member]

I have not heard the Rainbows but the Elites i have heard plenty of times and the sound quality and power handling is unreal. I heard the Elites on a sound board and they sounded just as good as the Dynaudio's. these comps can take every bit of power you give them with no singns of distress what so ever.

The crossover network on the Elites has to be the best as far as quality component parts used ive ever seen.

Best thing to do would be try to listen to both, if that is not possible then my suggestion would be to go for the Elites hands down.

 

[TerryMorgan 10+ year member]

The TI's are pretty amazing in my opinion, friend of mine has them with 250w per side and they are hella loud. They can handle more too.

 

[PremierAudio 10+ year member]

The crossover I will admit is very well designed, and yes, they can take a shit ton of power. I have a set in a tahoe with 450w per side. Laidback yes, but can be more lively than you think when you give them some power and eq them a bit.

 

[randyrsx 10+ year member]

I had the PG Ti6s for a few months then switched to Germs.... I made the right decision. Just didn't think PGs punched as well as the Germs. I'm sure the CMXs will be similar, go with those.