111 replies to this topic

[iluvmusik]

SQNoob proof hahaha now that is funny. I like your style of writing simplesq and you have very definite opinion which is good. Nothing worst than sitting on the fence. Btw all this is said as a compliment

[muzzy66]

Be's? I thought you were fixed on Crescendo's and disliked Focal's? lol

[iluvmusik]

I dislike the Focal 165 krx2 that I heard in Lifestyle demo board. It sounded bright and in your face. Must be the tuning or lack thereof.

However I had a good listen again to Marty's Silvia Focal setup and it's simply amazing. Focal Utopia Be kit 7 up front and Focal Utopia 13" sub all tuned with BitOne. He's even running it passive but with those monster crossblock. Any misconception of Focals sounding bright is gone after I listen to his system. It is simply amazing. I want it lol but the kit 7 is $4.5 grand. However as you know there is the new 2ways Focal 165 w-rc out now and they are just as sexy looking and less than half the price and hopefully they sound just as good I think Marty does some magic on the BitOne and turn the Utopias to sound as good as it looks.

Then there's the ex-demo Seas Lotus Reference 6.5" and off course the Crescendos Opus 7B. Tough choices! The sooner I get the install over with the better, so I won't have to agonised over gears but just enjoy the music!

So Muzzy what do you say? I just toss a coin. Heads I get the Utopias 2ways, tails I get the Seas Lotus and if it lands in the middle I get the Crescendos

Sub is already settled. It's the Morel Ultimo 12.2 Or is it? When I saw the Utopia 13" sub I started to drool. Then Marty showed me the Seas 10" sub and said it's one of the best SQ sub....

Ok it's a no brainer. Just get the cheapest since they are all good.

Edited by iluvmusik, 03 January 2012 - 11:29 PM.

[muzzy66]

iluvmusik, on 03 January 2012 - 11:24 PM, said:

I dislike the Focal 165 krx2 that I heard in Lifestyle demo board. It sounded bright and in your face. Must be the tuning or lack thereof.

I'll agree with you on that one, they definately weren't my cup of tea! The ones I heard at store # 2 (trying to avoid using names!) sounded exactly the same too, so this suggests to me that the issue is with the set and not the tuning. I think the problem is the actual crossover itself.

To my ears the cheaper the 165KR and the 165KR2 were much nicer.

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However I had a good listen again to Marty's Silvia Focal setup and it's simply amazing. Focal Utopia Be kit 7 up front and Focal Utopia 13" sub all tuned with BitOne. He's even running it passive but with those monster crossblock. Any misconception of Focals sounding bright is gone after I listen to his system. It is simply amazing. I want it lol but the kit 7 is $4.5 grand. However as you know there is the new 2ways Focal 165 w-rc out now and they are just as sexy looking and less than half the price and hopefully they sound just as good I think Marty does some magic on the BitOne and turn the Utopias to sound as good as it looks.

Marty's car does sound quite nice

Personally I don't think the new Focal's will be on part with the Kit 7 for a few reasons:
* Different (cheaper) midwoofer
* Slightly different Be tweeter: limited top end extension compared to the T Be
* Simpler crossover (crossblock from Kit 7 is of course fully variable)
* Two-way vs three-way
* Still don't like the 2ohm impedance

A few of the reasons I chose to stick with the 165KR rather then the new Be kit (price being the other). If you can get a listen then worth looking at, as they probably will still be quite nice. If you can't, then it's a risky proposition to buy a set that pricey without hearing them.

Now just becuase I don't think they'll be as good as the Kit 6 or Kit 7 (both higher range sets), that's not to say I don't think they'll be good. I still think they will be quite a nice set and I don't think you'd be dissapointed!

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Then there's the ex-demo Seas Lotus Reference 6.5" and off course the Crescendos Opus 7B. Tough choices! The sooner I get the install over with the better, so I won't have to agonised over gears but just enjoy the music!

So Muzzy what do you say? I just toss a coin. Heads I get the Utopias 2ways, tails I get the Seas Lotus and if it lands in the middle I get the Crescendos

The Lotus are nice - they aren't perfect, but they are definately a nice set with not a lot of standout flaws. They are pricey, but given that you've had a chance to hear them they are probably the lesser risk.

Focal's give some on paper specs at least, so even though that doesn't tell the full story about their performance it at least gives you some indication.

The Crescendo's give more or less no data at all, so considering you haven't had a chance to hear them either they are probably the highest risk...but then they are also by far the cheaper of the three sets.

All of this info I just gave you somehow helps you none at all!! If it were me personally I'd probably go with the Focal -> Crescendo -> Lotus and I don't know why. That goes completely against all of the logic I just described, so it makes no sense! Just instintively the way I would go.

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Sub is already settled. It's the Morel Ultimo 12.2 Or is it? When I saw the Utopia 13" sub I started to drool. Then Marty showed me the Seas 10" sub and said it's one of the best SQ sub....

Ok it's a no brainer. Just get the cheapest since they are all good.

Hmm...Interesting proposition there. Ironically (with me beint the Focal fan I am) I'd probably go with the Focal last...only because I've yet to hear a Focal sub in a car that really impressed me. They have been nice enough, but just haven't blown me away.

First would be a toss up between Morel (which I've heard and really liked) and Seas (which all signs suggest should be exceptional). In the end If it were me I'd probably go with the Seas because to my knowledge it's based on the Seas 26ROY which I know for a fact is a phenomenal performing SQ sub, at least on par with the Peerless XXLS. On the down side it's really quite rediculously overpriced given that the Seas sub it's (seemingly) based on costs about $350.

Hmm...in fact on that note, I'd ditch them all and get the Seas 26ROY for 1/3 the price, but you don't want to hear that! lol

Edited by muzzy66, 04 January 2012 - 07:16 AM.

[iluvmusik]

Off this week so I'm making use of the time to visit FHRX again. That's twice since yesterday lol.

Well yesterday I audition the Focal Utopias kit 7 3 ways with Focal Utopia 13" sub system. Today I audition the Morel Supremo and Morel Ultimo 12" sub system. Both are bloody good. If you ask me, I'd say get both
However I got a spine chilling sensation from the Ultimo. The bass notes hits short and sharp. There is no lingering echoes. A truly super midbass experience with very low extensions.

I also audition the Seas Lotus Reference 6.5" splits. This is seriously good. I have no doubt the Seas Lotus Reference set and the Seas SW300 12" sub would make an awesome combination.

So Muzzy don't talk to me about DIY components. I'm confused as it is hahaha. At the higher end of car audio equipment, there are plenty of choices and they are all good.

Still leaning on the Utopia 2ways splits and the Ultimo sub. I think I'll be happy with this setup.

[muzzy66]

Well I will most likely be down at Marty's this Saturday (if he's there), so if you happen to be down there I might see you then! Got some things to sort out, and might even bring something for show and tell if I'm not in too big a rush!

[iluvmusik]

Muz, I can't be at Fhrx today. Have to pick my son up from the airport. Would have love to meet you in person but anyhoo enjoy yourself. Perhaps another time.

Edited by iluvmusik, 07 January 2012 - 05:14 AM.