9 replies to this topic

[oldtimer]

Hi all,

Qucik question, just trying to piece together a system.

Have all the prices for the install worked out, now just figuring out components.

Splits, DYNAUDIO 242 GT $1000.00 or BOSTON Acoustic PRO 60se / FOCAL 165V30 / DIAMOND AUDIO H600A or S all around $500.00 at this stage.

? are the DYN's twice as good? or should i save the $500.00 and put towards a nice flush mount sub enclosure instead of a box (still professionally) made in the hatch?

as for the rest, the headunit will be the Factory VW RNS510, the sub will be a 10" of good quality ie: $350+ range, the AMP will be along the lines of a ARC AUDIO KS Mini 125.4 or similar. rear fill factory speakers off the head unit.




Thanks.

Edited by oldtimer, 21 January 2012 - 11:51 PM.

[peaandham]

What car? Are you planning on making custom speaker mounts for the splits? What about deadening the doors?

Without proper prep $100 Splits can sound better than $1000 splits, so if you use the Bostons and use the rest of the cash towards proper prep work you MAY have a sound system that you will enjoy?

How will i know what you will enjoy however when you haven't told us why you want new splits, a budget, what sort music you listen to, and the rest of the equipment that you may or may not have?

Also why just those 2? Focal, Hertz, Morel, Rainbow make nice ready to go splits otherwise you could mix and match some other brands eg: some Vifa Tweeters with Scanspeak Mids, or Anarchy Mids with Scanspeak Tweeters?

Edit: Also are you ready to purchase because if thats the case, more details and forget the sub for the moment, if your spending $500-$1000 on a set of splits you want to get those right first.

Edited by peaandham, 21 January 2012 - 09:32 PM.

[oldtimer]

All the components will be professionally installed (sound deadend, mats etc) That part of it has already been worked out.

Just working out if i need a $1000 pair of splits when the $500 will do the job. This is for my wifes car who i dare say will not notice the difference.

Yes down the track when my wife gets another new car 3 years, this will be my runabout and i may go all out with the audio at that stage, so long as i get the installation right i can upgrade components later.

FHRX or similar quality workshop will be installing.

as for the rest, the headunit will be the Factory VW RNS510, the sub will be a 10" of good quality ie: $350+ range, the AMP will be along the lines of a ARC AUDIO KS Mini 125.4 or similar. rear fill factory speakers off the head unit.

Yes just waiting for the car to be delivered.

Thanks

Edited by oldtimer, 21 January 2012 - 10:26 PM.

[iluvmusik]

Front splits selection is such a personal preference and in some ways we're influenced by what others or the reviews says, to which I'd advise, 'Don't be' .

I was in your situation just a short while ago. I was bend on the Dynaudio 242gt because I read good reviews about it. I don't want to give the wrong impression that this isn't a good sounding speaker. it is but you need to try and audition it with some other splits to see which ones are to your liking.

I'd just like to answer your question as to whether it's twice as good. To be able to do this, I'll compare it to the Crescendo Opus 8.6. I've audition both and I prefer the Crescendo. The Crescendos sounded superb and definitely highly recommended. However, it's probably not a very fair comparison as I heard the Dynaudio on a demo board but I heard the Crescendo in a professionally installed car with BitOne. The Crescendo Opus 8.6 is replaced by a better and cheaper version the Opus 7B at $559 RRP.

As pointed out by peaandham, there are a lot others that are good. I've Hertz Mille mlk 2 tw in my Euro and I think it sounded superb. I heard the Focal 163v30 briefly on a demo board and thought it sounded nice.

After you've done a lot of auditions you may still be none the wiser. You'll have liked a lot of speakers and others you may not like as much. As Marty pointed out, the ones that I liked, they will all sound good when setup properly. So at the end, it comes down to cost, brand preference and other feels good factors. Truth is if you're really going to be serious with this hobby, you'll go through several splits purchase just to experience it or perhaps from 2ways to 3ways.

Good luck with the choice and you'll have a very enjoyable time

P/S - attend some up coming MEASQ comps to get a better idea.

[justdofit]

As others have pointed out, speakers can be the most personal part of your system. Your ears will tell you what you like and then your wallet (and/or wife) will usually help you narrow your choices down from there

you're in good hands with fhrx, and can be sure whichever splits you choose - they will be installed to acheive maximum potential and enjoyment!

Grab a pile of your favourite CDs and listen listen listen

[oldtimer]

these: Alpine SPX-17PRO they can be had for $500, i noticed they won tyhe best speaker under $1000 by INCAR?

I used to have a pair of the F17 DDDrive, they were really nice, made in Japan and lasted for 10 Years untill i sold them.

[~Spyne~]

oldtimer said:

i noticed they won tyhe best speaker under $1000 by INCAR?

Not really indicative of how good they are. INCAR's review system has been sketchy in the past, so few people on these forums actually place much merit in their awards. That's not to say the products they recommend are bad, but as to who wins and who loses, their opinions often differ quite alot from most of us who have heard the products in question.

As most have said, speakers are a very subjective matter - out of all the components in an audio system, the speakers have the most influence over how the music 'sounds'. And while one person may like their speakers to sound very 'heavy' in the midbass and lower midrange regions, another person may not like this 'sound' and prefer their speakers to produce a brighter (more output in the high frequencies) sound.
So as has been suggested, try and get out to a few stores, take some CDs you are very familiar with, and listen to as many speaker sets as you can to find the ones YOU like the best.
As to spending $1000 v $500, I would suggest $500 should be more than adequate for your wife and I dare say for yourself too if the car becomes yours in a few years time. Boston Acoustics, Focal, DLS, Crescendo, Morel, Diamond Audio all make very good speakers for around $500. My favourites would probably be Crescendo and Boston, but your opinion may differ because you like a different sound characteristic from your speakers.
You could save that $500 (by not buying the $1000 speakers) and add a processor such as the Audison BitTen, or by changing your plans for amps and buying a 4ch for the speakers and a dedicated mono amp for the sub.

[oldtimer]

Thanks all for the replies.

Do you think i need a Processor of some kind?

[justdofit]

oldtimer, on 23 January 2012 - 09:35 AM, said:

Thanks all for the replies.

Do you think i need a Processor of some kind?

IMO the requirement for a processor is usually dictated by the nature of the car (environment) and / or compromises made during the install (i.e form v function). Seeing that this is currently your wife's car I would assume the WAF is high? and factory locations may be preferred for the drivers?

Your installer will be able to advise more accurately re: the benefits you may get from a processor and if required the best unit suited for your car, as there are now many decent models available at different price points, all with varied adjustability and pros/cons etc...

In my personal experience I have found that at a bare minimum: time allignment and a basic EQ (beyond treble/bass) will go a long way in getting more out of speakers in factory locations.

[sphell]

~Spyne~, on 23 January 2012 - 09:02 AM, said:

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Not really indicative of how good they are. INCAR's review system has been sketchy in the past, so few people on these forums actually place much merit in their awards. That's not to say the products they recommend are bad, but as to who wins and who loses, their opinions often differ quite alot from most of us who have heard the products in question.

Exactly......ever looked who advertises inside the front cover and on the back cover of INCAR? No wonder Alpine wins half the time. I think there is a bit of 'you help us with advertising dollars and we'll help you with good reviews' going on.

Back to speakers, I've got the V30's and they sound nice IMO....just knock the tweeter down to -3db.