This, that and/or...So many speakers I cant decide. Advice?

[Marksy]

Hello all.

Brand new to the forum and this is my first post.

Years ago I was pretty heavy into car audio, and since I got out of it the number of manufacturers has expanded exponentially.

Even worse is that dealers for brands that I am familiar with from the "old days" no longer have much or any representation in Canada. I'm old school enough that Polk, Image Dynamics, PPI, and Orion were top contenders.

This leads me to my question. I don't know what's good anymore and I want to build a system in my 2015 Mazda 3.

I've already decided on Zapco amps. Had them way back when and they are one of the few amp makers that have not moved manufacturing overseas.

Anyway, I am looking at a number of sets of speakers. In particular 3 way components for my front stage and coaxials or 2 way comps for the rear.

I'm trying to keep within a budget so I'm just wondering about people's thoughts on some of my options since I'm not finding a lot in the way of reviews of some sets.

Cadence QRS6K3 and 6K2

ID CTX65cs and CTX65

PPI P.65C3 and C2

And the Polk DB6502 and DB652

What I am finding is the PPI sets are bordering on cost prohibitive (keep in mind that it costs me $1.35 for every American $ spent) but the specs seem very impressive. In their heyday I'd have bought them in a heartbeat.

I'm not sure, but hoping the ID's are as good as they once were.

The polks are a new update to an old fav, but have no place to hear them. As for Cadence, I've never hear of them until recently and they seem to have the best price points BUT I know nothing about them.

So after that long winded diatribe, I'm looking to keep it at around $400 CDN or $300 USD.

Any help or advise you can offer would be appreciated. I'm also open to other suggestions if you know of something. I'll be running off my factory (non-bose) system for a bit at least with the amps on my Christmas list //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[beak81champ]

Have you looked at raw drivers on Parts Express or Madisound? Some of their offerings will come very highly recommended, and for a great price, such as Peerless, Silver Flute, Tymphany, Vifa, Seas, ScanSpeak, etc...

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

If you want a 3-way active check out these. May look expensive but in the long run; it's a good investment.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649257718-hybrid-audio-legatia-l1prol3v2l6v2/

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Zapco is China and Korea now. Not bad but overseas.

PPI got bought out again, power acoustic has them.

ID got bought out after Eric Stevens left

Polk is a budget special

Never messed with Cadence.

Don't worry about the rear. Focus on the front. Get that right and you won't miss or want rears at all.

 

[Marksy]

If you want a 3-way active check out these. May look expensive but in the long run; it's a good investment.
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649257718-hybrid-audio-legatia-l1prol3v2l6v2/

Hi. Thanks, but for just the fronts, that's a bit high for my budget. Nice looking set though.

I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of cash on used gear.

 

[Marksy]

Zapco is China and Korea now. Not bad but overseas. PPI got bought out again, power acoustic has them.

ID got bought out after Eric Stevens left

Polk is a budget special

Never messed with Cadence.

Don't worry about the rear. Focus on the front. Get that right and you won't miss or want rears at all.

Thanks. I've actually always liked a decent rear stage. I'm not competing or anything like that, but I love nice immersive sq. I like the rears to bridge the sound gap between the fronts and subs, but just enough so that they blend in nicely.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Thanks. I've actually always liked a decent rear stage. I'm not competing or anything like that, but I love nice immersive sq. I like the rears to bridge the sound gap between the fronts and subs, but just enough so that they blend in nicely.

Music is recorded in 2.1. Left/right. Sub. Not rear

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Thats the old school way. Theres a better way to get amazing SQ nowadays bud. The purpose is to recreate a live concert on your dash.

With a proper setup, even people in the rear can hear your front stage loud and clear while in the drivers seat, the sound is majestic. Yes this is the goal for most sound quality daily drivers.

Reason why theres no rears is because it ruins the soundstage and imaging.

 

[Marksy]

Thats the old school way. Theres a better way to get amazing SQ nowadays bud. The purpose is to recreate a live concert on your dash.
With a proper setup, even people in the rear can hear your front stage loud and clear while in the drivers seat, the sound is majestic. Yes this is the goal for most sound quality daily drivers.

Reason why theres no rears is because it ruins the soundstage and imaging.

Thanks. I appreciate the explanation. You are very right, I'm old LOL

My last system was... let's see....6.5 Polk comps in the front doors, 4 inch mids and tweets in the dash, 4x6 center channel, 5's in the back doors, 6x9's in the rear deck and an isobaric box in the trunk. All polk, and all powered by Zapco amps with Audio Control eq.

LOL it was very loud and proud, and a VERY long time ago. But I never had aspirations to compete, I was just young and loved it loud and clear. Now....I'll be happy with nice and clear sq..., volume not so much //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Now we can do amazing things, almost home theater level, we have a smaller cabin in width and sit closer to the speakers.

Get it right and music becomes life like. 3D images of the band standing in front of you. Like you are sitting a few rows back. It's pretty cool. It's not super expensive but the money has to be spent right.

 

[Marksy]

Now we can do amazing things, almost home theater level, we have a smaller cabin in width and sit closer to the speakers. Get it right and music becomes life like. 3D images of the band standing in front of you. Like you are sitting a few rows back. It's pretty cool. It's not super expensive but the money has to be spent right.

That's why I'm here //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif To get myself caught up to speed.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Step one. Learn what music is supposed to sound like. Step two. Learn how to recreate it.

My levels sky rocketed after I learnt how to listen instead of hear

Learn how to use a DSP and what each speaker is responsible for. Learn how the project sound. Use equipment that does what you need it to do. Speakers are stupid, they will do what we tell them to as long as they are capable.

 

[Marksy]

Step one. Learn what music is supposed to sound like. Step two. Learn how to recreate it. My levels sky rocketed after I learnt how to listen instead of hear

Learn how to use a DSP and what each speaker is responsible for. Learn how the project sound. Use equipment that does what you need it to do. Speakers are stupid, they will do what we tell them to as long as they are capable.

In my defence, I'm not a complete noob. Music is a way of life for me. Played in bands on and off for the last 30 years.

However, I'm out of touch with newer equipment which is why I made the original post.

First step is to get my factory speakers replaced so I have at least a platform to build on and the ones I mentioned are within my budget.

Factory head unit has to stay because it's too integrated into the car to be removed. Once I have speaker systems in place then I'll deal with the unfortunate fact that the car only has speaker level outs to work with. Audio Control LCQ-1 will deal with that.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

In my defence, I'm not a complete noob. Music is a way of life for me. Played in bands on and off for the last 30 years. However, I'm out of touch with newer equipment which is why I made the original post.

First step is to get my factory speakers replaced so I have at least a platform to build on and the ones I mentioned are within my budget.

Factory head unit has to stay because it's too integrated into the car to be removed. Once I have speaker systems in place then I'll deal with the unfortunate fact that the car only has speaker level outs to work with. Audio Control LCQ-1 will deal with that.

There are way better options than audiocontrol. That stuff is prehistoric. A DSP will take high level and let you build your own response overriding the stock HU

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

In my defence, I'm not a complete noob. Music is a way of life for me. Played in bands on and off for the last 30 years. However, I'm out of touch with newer equipment which is why I made the original post.

First step is to get my factory speakers replaced so I have at least a platform to build on and the ones I mentioned are within my budget.

Factory head unit has to stay because it's too integrated into the car to be removed. Once I have speaker systems in place then I'll deal with the unfortunate fact that the car only has speaker level outs to work with. Audio Control LCQ-1 will deal with that.

Look up what a digital sound processor is. Its factory integration. Ditch those old dinosuar audio control units and never look at them again.

again, the audio game has changed massively sir. We will get you up with the times.