Hi just audtioned a set of focal access 6.5 inch splits. I was amazed how good they really did sound, way better than the alpine SPX -177A's i had before. The tweeter was really mello to the ear and wasnt piercing.

Now my question is - what other speakers compare around the $350 price rang that offer sweet tweetes and decent mid-bass?

ps. i dont want no generic brand stuff.

cheers big ears.

morel(pulse6), hertz(HSK165), boston (FS60), vdo(HPC1300/1700), pheonix gold(zr6.5comp) and jaycar(actually really good at the price, but brand might put u off)

If you were to know that even the flagship Alpine speakers are actually scanspeak (D-S-T), you might be surprise.Only if the name like Sonus Faber mean anything to you you, then D-S-T should be one of your choise. D-S-T is sure not a generic brand but one of the world's most reknown hi-end speaker manufactuere. Looking at your sig I will assume that you run your front split actively. If that is the case. then the next best thing to have is Vifa (a cheaper range from D-S-T. it did cost much less than the flagship product from D-S-T and the sound that will beat Focal anyday. For a little over $350 mark, you can get XT25TG30-04 Tweeters ($77 each) M18WO-09 ($120 each). If your budget is very tight and really have to go at 350 or less then change the woofer to P17WJ-00-08 will get you just under $350 for the killer splits. without the need for passive Xover this will go just under your budget.

Why pay more for marketing when you can buy the hi-end stuff at a dert cheap price.

waxdass, i am not doubting what you heard and i have never heard either speakers myself, but just don't forget in your comparison that you are comparing a split system that you have listened to in your car, to a split system that you have only heard on a demo board. im not saying you can't compare them that way, its just a thought.

golf_bht, im interested about that brand, never heard of it. Is is available many places locally?

you can get Vifa at a few place's

i run the XT25 tweeters myself and for the price i doubt you will find anything as good!

http://www.d-s-t.com.au/

you might also be interested to know that peerless provide the woofers and tweeters for vdo dayton's hpc line of splits

thanks for the posts.

gold_bht - where can i get DST at good prices?

What do you mean by running the splits actively?

also, if i got the tweeter and woofer, which x-over would i need to hook them up? Or dont i need one???


cheers

having a looking at the vifa website, coupla qyestions..

The M18 6.5 inch woofer - Whats the difference bewteen the paper cone and the poly cone? Is there any noticble sound difference?

Also with the XT25 tweeter, i see its aluminium dome, wouldnt this make it harsh to the ear? isnt silk dome smoother??

i use the XT25SC-30-04 which are fabric.

AdvanceAE one of our sponsors sells there gear the link is on the left hand side of the page <----

running the splits active mean's one channel per speaker so you would need a 4 chan amp to run them all.

with the xover you can will have to buy one, you can go anywhere from a Fusion one up to audiocontrol and beyond but im guessing you wont wanna spend that much

you can get the Fusion through Hektik. or you can go passive but im not help with that haha..

interested in the vifa's.

what about the rainbow - x-line range?

also - how much should i spend on a x-over??...i dont really wana blow the budget past $400

I've been running P17WJ-00-04's for years. A great speaker.
Although I'm not sure that they still make the 4 ohm verson any more.

glof_bht any more info?

hmmm yeah the problem with the woofers that i was looking at on AAE's website, is that they seem to be all 8ohms.

Is it possible to use any normal crossover like from your currnet speakers? eg using my type x's crossover...

btw Bobby_Digital, i can't find the fusion crossover on AAE's website

xt25's are 4 ohm - i used to run some until i got arvus so the vifas are being used as home audio drivers instead

you can use your current xover but it wont work to well. what HU you running?

and AAE dont have the fusion gear, Hektik car audio do though

so the woofers are 8 0hm or 40hm?

vifa tweeters wont fit in my car (03 WRX)

what about Boston FS series (berlow the rally's)

silk dome tweeter and a good woofer that offers reasonable mid-bass...??- so i was told.

I went had a listen to the Boston FS60's today and thy are pretty good, but imo the SL's sounded heaps better. It was a pretty big price jump between to 2 though (well at this place anyway). Yeah im also in the market for some decent splits.

how much were the SL's ?

SL60 $549
FS60 $349

both good speakers, the SL replace's the old rally series which were mighty fine speakers.
the FS i have read some good reviews on them.

[QUOTE=Bobby_Digital]SL60 $549
FS60 $349

spot on. i want to spend about the 450 mark. so its either jus buy them or hang out with my wang out till i get the cash. lol. anyways

There's more new stuff coming into the market all the time, that some of the lines that have been around for a little while sometimes get overlooked. Don't forget the MBQ Reference series. Mighty fine imo. Should be able to get em for $450-500:)

if you haggled then i'm sure you won't have to rock out with your cock out
if your looking at about the 450 mark....then maybe also look at
dls reference: 499
phass es: 499
eton pro line: 459
rainbow cmx 265: 528

Whats the challenge if you don't buy them and make them fit? I'm sure kick panel install wouldn't be too challenging..

Vifa tweeters wont fit??? Even in the stock tweeter locations?

Used to be able to get DLS Magnesium splits for around the $450 - $500 mark... They were damn nice Splits, in particular the soft dome tweeter. And the mid was a bit smoother than the reference series if I recall...

To respond to waxdass' initial question - I've been running around Perth auditioning speakers to try and find a cheap way out of a nice front stage (Same budget as mentioned)...and I've been pretty disappointed with whats out there. In the end I just said 'stuff it' and have decided to fork out for a set of Dyn 240GTs (I know its double my original budget... but the front stage is the life blood of a good system).

Just to reiterate what others have already said, generally if you are looking for a soft sounding, natural tweeter than look for something with a silk tweeter, if you want midbass, something with a well formed, sizable basket is normally a good indication...but just bear in mind the need for some good sound deadening in the doors else anything is gonna sound like @#$@#$.

Cheers
Beau

yeh the tweeters are way to big to fit insdide the stock tweeter locations. i also dont have money to fork out on a cusdtom panel setup on my doors.

im still looking...tho im heading towards some boston fs series splits. these have silk dome tweeter and some nice mid-bass.

Anyone know about audiobahn? - also keen on the ones in the for sale section if they are up to standard.

imo audiobarn are an american brand big on looks, therefore less money is spent on actually getting them to sound good....i dont believe they are anywhere near as good as the boston sl/fs series speakers

thanks..will go with the bostons.

Yeah - 10cm wide radiator plate on the XT25"s limits some installs and they are rather deep as well.. couldn't imagine them getting behind factory tweeter grills - but if someone did it i'd be damn impressed!

Kick panel would be some basic wood work, some bogging skills, some time to position and time to do it.. and then cover with some vinyl.. not overly hard.

I encourage you to learn more about your system including install techniques - saves money down the line as well