What do you guys think of these speakers?

[Strontium90]

I went to a local shop and auditioned several speakers today. Do any of you guys have experience with the following speakers?

Alpine SPS-610C $129.99

Alpine SPS-610 $99.99

Alpine SPS-619 $119.99

In my opinion the Alpines sounded as good as the JL Audio speakers but for a much better price. Also does anybody have experience with the Alpine MRX-V70 Amplifier? It's got 90x4 + 1X350 watts RMS. The price on it was $399.99. I am also considering the JL Audio 700/5 but it's $549.99 .

The plan: replace the Honda Civic's 6.5 component speakers with the Alpine components, and the rear deck with the 6.5 coaxials. Replace the rear deck speakers with either the 6.5 coaxials or the 6x9s. Assuming I get either of the amps above that means I'll have a subwoofer channel in reserve for when I decide what type of sub I want to get.

Also, any ideas for a good head unit? I'm currently using a POS Sony. The audio dealer tells me if I want a subwoofer to go for a unit with at least 3 preamp outs. He also tells me that 4v is superior to 2v because there is less "noise". That sounded bullshitty to me, so tell me if that makes a real difference in quality.

Thanks all.

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[neo_styles 10+ year member]

My guess is if you demoed Type S on a wall and are comparing them to JL, they were bottom tier (TR, maybe VR). If not and you couldn't tell a difference, then there really isn't a point to recommend what I would. If you like the Type S, then get them.

 

[Strontium90]

The Alpine component speakers were mounted on a wall with several different JL Audio speakers, some Kenwood Excelons, Pioneers, Hybrid, and another brand that escapes me. The Alpines sounded the best to me, so I suppose you are right that those would be the ones I should get. I'm not sure what you mean by "bottom tier". Does that mean that the speakers are low quality? I'm sorry for my ignorance, but I have no idea what you mean by TR or VR (I've been out of car audio for a long time). I am 48 years old and doubt I can hear anything above 12 kHz so maybe the speakers I'm considering are limited but I can't hear the difference. The Kenwood Excelons sounded quite decent, as did the top JLs, but the Alpines seemed to sound as good for less than half the price. Maybe I've got dead ears //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif.

Thanks for the reply Neo, it's much appreciated. Are there any particular 6.5" component systems you would recommend? Oh, and the amp I'm looking at is okay, do you think?

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

The Alpine component speakers were mounted on a wall with several different JL Audio speakers, some Kenwood Excelons, Pioneers, Hybrid, and another brand that escapes me. The Alpines sounded the best to me, so I suppose you are right that those would be the ones I should get. I'm not sure what you mean by "bottom tier". Does that mean that the speakers are low quality? I'm sorry for my ignorance, but I have no idea what you mean by TR or VR (I've been out of car audio for a long time). I am 48 years old and doubt I can hear anything above 12 kHz so maybe the speakers I'm considering are limited but I can't hear the difference. The Kenwood Excelons sounded quite decent, as did the top JLs, but the Alpines seemed to sound as good for less than half the price. Maybe I've got dead ears //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif.
Thanks for the reply Neo, it's much appreciated. Are there any particular 6.5" component systems you would recommend? Oh, and the amp I'm looking at is okay, do you think?

TR and VR are different levels in the JL lineup. If you're having trouble hearing a difference, I suppose you could blame your hearing loss, but it may be more than likely the quality of the soundboard might have been a little off.

As for the Alpine Type S, I know they've improved in quality a bit over the years, so they might not have been as rough as they were when I ran them over eight years ago, so I suppose that's not a fair statement for me to make. I know the Type S subs have come a LONG way since then, so there is hope //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Here's the downer: unless you're listening to these drivers on an AMPLIFIED sound board, it's really hard to make a fair judgement of them. Amplified sound really will bring out the best in them. They'll all sound different, though, once they're actually installed in your car.

That being said, between the options you mentioned, I'd actually recommend the Hybrid Imagines for your front components and Hybrid Mirus for your rear coaxial. They have a higher price tag, but the quality of sound justifies it and the ease of installation I'm sure will be a big added bonus to your wallet and interior. One reason I really recommend the Hybrid to a lot of people is, assuming they're not using an external amplifier, the Hybrids are very sensitive and will do well on deck power alone. Add an amp in and they come alive.

As for the amplification and deck options, it would really help me to know your total budget so I could make recommendations that won't completely break your bank. I will say, however, that the Sony deck should probably take a long walk off a short cliff. Especially when you can get something like a Clarion CZ-702 for right below $200 that beats it hand over fist in terms of raw signal quality and modern features. But I'll reserve the rest on anticipation of your usable budget. It would be best to do everything through your dealer at this point as it seems like they'll be willing to work a discount for a whole system purchase which is what I think he's talking you into.

 

[Jes 42 10+ year member]

I went to a local shop and auditioned several speakers today. Do any of you guys have experience with the following speakers?
Alpine SPS-610C $129.99

Alpine SPS-610 $99.99

Alpine SPS-619 $119.99

In my opinion the Alpines sounded as good as the JL Audio speakers but for a much better price. Also does anybody have experience with the Alpine MRX-V70 Amplifier? It's got 90x4 + 1X350 watts RMS. The price on it was $399.99. I am also considering the JL Audio 700/5 but it's $549.99 .

The plan: replace the Honda Civic's 6.5 component speakers with the Alpine components, and the rear deck with the 6.5 coaxials. Replace the rear deck speakers with either the 6.5 coaxials or the 6x9s. Assuming I get either of the amps above that means I'll have a subwoofer channel in reserve for when I decide what type of sub I want to get.

Also, any ideas for a good head unit? I'm currently using a POS Sony. The audio dealer tells me if I want a subwoofer to go for a unit with at least 3 preamp outs. He also tells me that 4v is superior to 2v because there is less "noise". That sounded bullshitty to me, so tell me if that makes a real difference in quality.

Thanks all.

Are you opposed to buying products off the internet?If not that equipment you listed can be had alot cheaper.

 

[Strontium90]

@ Neo: thanks for taking the time to explain the differences in the TR/VR JL Audio speakers. I'm not sure what models they were, but one of the component JL sets was $499 a pair. To answer your question about how much my budget is ~$1,500 or so. I'd like to get 2 sets of 6.5 speakers to fit where the factory speakers currently are. I'm also planning on adding a nice subwoofer later as well, which is why I'm looking at the amps I mentioned in my OP.

Regarding ditching the SONY...that head unit has always annoyed me! I did have a nice Clarion head unit in the mid-late 90's that was very nice, so that is definitely worth looking into. The audio shop where I was looking at gear had Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine as their major head units, with various different prices. I was shocked at how low the prices were...I remember paying $499 for a Nakamichi tape player back in 1983, and the top models in the store were about $299-$399. The prices on car audio gear seem pretty low compared to the old days.

Thanks again for the thoughtful response.

 

[Strontium90]

@Skar Audio: I'm not opposed to buying gear off the internet, no. To be completely frank I doubt I have the technical ability to competently install a system though. I have done installs on my gear in the past, when I was a young buck, but frankly they all looked like crap //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif I suppose it would be easy enough to buy speakers online and take them to the shop for installation.

Which places on the net did you have in mind?

Thanks for the response!

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

@ Neo: thanks for taking the time to explain the differences in the TR/VR JL Audio speakers. I'm not sure what models they were, but one of the component JL sets was $499 a pair. To answer your question about how much my budget is ~$1,500 or so. I'd like to get 2 sets of 6.5 speakers to fit where the factory speakers currently are. I'm also planning on adding a nice subwoofer later as well, which is why I'm looking at the amps I mentioned in my OP.
Regarding ditching the SONY...that head unit has always annoyed me! I did have a nice Clarion head unit in the mid-late 90's that was very nice, so that is definitely worth looking into. The audio shop where I was looking at gear had Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine as their major head units, with various different prices. I was shocked at how low the prices were...I remember paying $499 for a Nakamichi demo tape player back in 1983, and the top models in the store were about $299-$399. The prices on car audio gear seem pretty low compared to the old days.

Thanks again for the thoughtful response.

It's really hit or miss these days, though. Some brands that used to be the staple for quality have really fallen behind. It seems the driver game has gone lax except for a few companies like JBL and Pioneer with the PRS and Stage 4 equipment.

For $1500, you've got a great foundation for a good system, but it may take some fierce negotiation from your local dealer to get a satisfying price. Here's the lineup I'd recommend:

Front Speakers: HAT Imagine 6.5"

Rear Speakers: HAT Mirus 6.5"

Head Unit: Clarion CZ702

Amplifier: Alpine PDX-V9

I would not be in the least surprised if your dealer tries to gouge you on the PDX-V9. Especially if he's asking for 400 on the MRX-V70. The PDX-V9 is a Class D 5-channel amplifier capable of 100 watts per channel to each speaker and 500W to a subwoofer. It's tiny, gentle on your electrical system, and pretty dang solid. And that brings me to my next point in that you may be MUCH better off doing your purchases online and having a shop that is willing to install the equipment for you. There's a constant war going on between online merchants and local shops in that a lot of local merchants can't or simply won't compete with some online vendors. Either they can't order the stock or they simply are too interested in certain profit margins or any of a million different reasons. I'm not saying every local dealer needs to sell at cost, but a lot won't even dip below MSRP and that's a crying shame. So, if your local guy isn't helping you out much in terms of price or install to keep you within budget, please send me a Private Message and I'll let you know about a couple of online vendors that I would recommend without hesitation and don't play party to the same shady tactics. If you have install knowledge yourself, I'd recommend buying online without hesitation.

In terms of cost, these would be FAIR prices for your dealer to offer IMO. Anyone who owns a local shop who is willing to clarify or correct me, by all means:

HAT Imagine: $300

HAT Mirus: $200

Clarion CZ-702: $200

Alpine PDX-V9: $600-650

That should leave about $200 for them to charge install. Anything more than that and I would walk, personally. Especially if you're buying all the equipment from them directly. I can assure you dealer cost is significantly below all of those with the exception of the Clarion.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Oh and if your shop gives you grief for the pricing on those Hybrid Audio speakers, kindly direct him to 12voltelectronics.com and show him that's how much it would cost to get from them, an essentially Hybrid direct online dealer, without having to pay tax or shipping.

 

[Jes 42 10+ year member]

@Skar Audio: I'm not opposed to buying gear off the internet, no. To be completely frank I doubt I have the technical ability to competently install a system though. I have done installs on my gear in the past, when I was a young buck, but frankly they all looked like crap //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif I suppose it would be easy enough to buy speakers online and take them to the shop for installation.
Which places on the net did you have in mind?

Thanks for the response!

I'm Jes 42..Got a little hate for Skar audio.Thats whats in my avatar..lol.Let me do some searchin for ya ok?I hear ya on the ''young buck'' part.I'm no spring chicken //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

@neo_styles;
Why the hybrids?

Don't forget to mention that a 1500$ system could sounf like poo if not installed properly

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

[quote name='calebkhill']@neo_styles;
Why the hybrids?

Don't forget to mention that a 1500$ system could sounf like poo if not installed properly [/QUOTE]

Hybrid = Hybrid Audio Technologies = HAT

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

Yes i know.

Me being curious as usual, that's all.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Yes i know.Me being curious as usual, that's all.

Reading>me. Apologies. Thought you were asking WHAT they were.

WHY is for ease of installation and high sensitivity. He could run those on deck power and be impressed. Can't say the same for the Alpine. Type R comps need gobs of power to get good midbass and the Type S just aren't that impressive.

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

I got ya.

Makes sense.

How do you know, the sensitivity specs?