Hey all! I'm a newb to this forum, and new to high-end car audio.
BUT, I'm an audiophile with a small home studio setup, like my music loud and bassy but clean and punchy! Listen to almost everything but particularly psytrance, metal, some drum 'n' bass, punk... One of my pet hates is cars that roll by with ridiculous amounts of muddy bass blaring, and seemingly no amplification for anything else.

OK with that out of the way... Can any of you experts help me out with my next purchases? My current setup is the following, in a 1990 Honda Integra :

Head-Unit :: Eclipse CD7200 mk II --- 3x 8V preamp outs (en route, not installed yet)
Amp 1 :: MTX Audio TA7804 Thunder --- 4-channel amp --- 4 x 100w RMS @ 4ohm (~150w on dyno)
Amp 2 :: MTX Audio TA81001 Thunder --- Monoblock amp --- 1 x 500w RMS @ 4ohm (~750w on dyno)
Front :: Vibe SA 60 Kevlar --- 6-1/2" 2-way component --- 90w RMS
Rear :: some old Kenwood DualMag 5 inch splits, like 50w or something
Sub :: Vibe 12" sub in sealed box, about 250-300w RMS

The amps are currently turned down looow. Really a lot of room for better speakers.
I need some good SQ splits for the front, the existing ones can replace my rears, and I want a new sub.
I intend to continue running everything 4 ohm because from past experiences it seems to sound better.
For a single sub then, I would assume I need a 4 ohm single coil, or dual coil 2 ohm if I wish to retain that?

Restrictions :
- For the splits, no more than RRP$750 ish, in aussie dollars. Will probably import, as I can get stuff very cheap even with shipping. Have not included Focal, Dynaudio etc as they seem to be a bit beyond my budget.
- I don't like really bright/harsh high-end. My ears are sensitive to it. I've always felt that the mid-bass up front has been lacking, across 2 or 3 sets of speakers... So good mids and clear (not ear-piercing) highs is what I'm after.
- I want a 12" sub, which will be in a sealed box. Space is limited, as it's sorta wedged in the back. The existing box is avg size for a 12", so maybe that's an issue for powerful subs? Looking at max RRP$650 ish.

Here are my considerations :


Heard good things about the MB Quart. The Alpine SPX-17PRO seems good, but a bit expensive and 100w RMS seems kinda low?
For the subs, I keep hearing that the Boston G5 is good, but the other two subs I listed seem to have greater power output... I'm stuck. And am not sure if the Kicker will work in a small box.

Any advice greatly appreciated, feel free to suggest me other products. Thx

For front stage I personally wouldnt consider any of your options, although I will admit that I havent heard the MB or MTX however from what I have read I wouldnt think they would suit my tastes. when I hear MTX I just think Strathfield, enough said
Although this is not to say that you wont like these speakers your best bet is to go have a listen and pick what sounds best to you.

For front stage consider speakers from the likes of Rainbow, Focal, DLS, Hertz.
Dont look at the power ratings of speakers this means nothing when it comes to how they sound.

For sub bass on a budget you cant really go past Peerless, especially for a touch over $300
other options may include Oz Audio, Treo, DLS, Focal

Once again go have a listen to as many as you can

as for importing take into consideration that you will get no warranty so if something breaks you have to pay for any repairs. Also you will be less likely to get support from your local shops. Often their advice/help can be worth much more than the couple of bucks you save.

Finally, I would also consider upgrading your amps to something of a bit more quality. As once you replace your speakers and sub they will no doubt be your weakest link.

i'd personally consider the focal k2p splits with the kbe bass extension kit (added 6.5" driver set for added midbass)
and then team with a boston g5 (yes, i'm biased on that decision)...polk is also supposed to be a fantastic sub

I'd definitely look at Polk for the sub, it's a cracker for SQ and also has some solid punch to it.

Not fussed on any of those splits you mentioned either. Again I'd be looking at Polk, Focal, DLS.

And as for importing, good luck with no locally endorsed warranty.

the new image dynamics idqv3 subs are around that price range and work well in smaller enclosured, prob also worth a look

if you are really sensitive to bright tweeters then you may want to avoid the focals but there are multiple other options (like these guys have mentioned) other than the ones you have listed.

and again i would be wary about the lack of warranty on imported products...

Thanks a lot for the responses guys.

Yeah I thought you would suggest Focal/DLS... but they seem a little beyond my budget.
I could ask "Are they that much better to be worth it?" but of course that's a subjective thing isn't it.

I should probably mention that the reason I got the MTX amps at the time was due to limited budget, and they were heavily discounted overseas and had good reviews. I picked them up for like $250 each, when the MTX amps 1 or 2 models below were selling for like $600+ here. At less than half what I'd expect to pay (including shipping), I guess I got suckered in by it... and as for warranty issues, I don't know, I think the store I used offers a 1 yr warranty of their own, but at those kinds of prices I basically consider the gear expendable. The amps seem fantastic for now, so I'll probably hang on to them until I outgrow them or they break or something.

Also, everyone keeps telling me to go listen but I can never find any shops that stock much decent gear here in Perth. There's usually a limited selection of brands/models, and mostly lower-end gear on display. I haven't been able to find any of those speakers I listed for demo here, nor have I seen Focal/DLS. If anyone else lives in Perth and can point me to the right places, that would be great.

The best place I've found so far is Alberts, but my local shop is pretty small without much on display, and when I ask about newer gear it's hard to get answers on if and when it's coming in.

Cheers

P.S. About DLS... Which models specifically would u recommend? Anything in the "Ultimate" series?

if your in perth i would go along to the next SQ comp if u can and listen to some people setup's http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/forums...howtopic=540217

I have heard DLS Ultimates and they're pretty good. Good solid mid-bass IMO and a nice mid-range, which tends to be a strength of DLS splits.

I would get Morel Elate 6" - 2 way for the front. very smooth and dynamic sound, excellent for resolving the fine detail without being harsh or sibilant. the RRP of $855 is only a starting point, and not too far above your stated budget.

You could get Morel Ultimo 10" sub (RRP $699) to complete the set.

Personally I like the Focal 33KX sub (RRP $969) better than the Boston G5 (RRP $699). That's the only sub in your list I think is worthwhile. most 12" subs like 1 to 1.2 cu.ft to work in.

from an audiophile POV.

Thanks man, your description of the Morels got me interested so I dug around and wow just from specs they look crazy. 200w RMS, and down to 25Hz?? I know the wattage isn't everything, but still. Would it be a fair assumption to say that if a speaker can hit frequencies that low, then the lowest freqs after applying hi-pass could be clearer than a speaker that can't go so low, given the same hi-pass settings? My understanding of freq response has been that at the extremes the level and quality suffers.

Please correct if I'm wrong.

Oh and a while of googling finally turned up where u got the $855 figure from... and I seem to have found a dealer in Perth too, I will go check them out. The ridiculous "MSRP" numbers I find everywhere seem to be double or more what the stuff is actually sold for... makes it hard to know what's in my budget and what's not.

What are your reasons for liking the Focal sub better than the Boston?

Please though, don't choose stuff based on what others hear or like, as you may completely disagree with what is said and be disappointed with your choice. Definately check out the WA SQ scence, there seem to be some very good looking installs (can't say sounding because I haven't heard them personally , but those that do seem to say they are good), and you'll no doubt be able to hear a wide range of stuff.

If you want RRP prices, check out FHRX Studios in NSW, their site has a whole bunch of price lists under "products" on the left hand side, so that might be able to help you work your budget. For ~$800 for splits, ~$700 for sub you should be able to locally pick from a huge range of gear, Morel, Focal, Alpine, DLS, Boston, DD, MB, RF, Hertz and plenty more.

for stores in Perth I can recomend Alberts Myaree and Cannington, also Westside car audio or Audio Art & Techologies. I used to live in Perth and have had dealings with all those stores.
You say Focal/DLS are out of your price range, thing is they have more than one set of speakers, I think DLS starts at around $250 for splits, although I dont think anyone stocks DLS in Perth. Westside however stock Focal and Morel

Subs dont output power, they output sound. I believe you are referring to the rated power handling, which might be an issue if you were talking SPL but you claim to be after SQ. Believe me, a G5 will be plenty loud enough and IMO are a nice sounding sub. If you are that tight for space you could even go for the 10"version, though I'd recommend auditioning one first.
I'm sure Morel states the Elates have a freq response down to 25Hz but there is no way they will make useful bass at those frequencies, they are still a 6" speaker!

The moral of the story is: Don't get too hung up on the specs!
Definitely attend the next SQ comp like Mooingchicken said and let your ears decide.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I will see if I can attend an event and hear some good systems. Most of my friends consider anything more than $1000 to be overkill for a complete system so I've been on my own.

Oh about the Morels, I called 2 Westside shops and they say they only sell it online, they don't actually have any in store...
Looks like my only chance to hear before buying is to find someone local who has them.

hmm interesting, they used to have them available to demo

Its interesting that the MB Quart PVF216 is leading your poll but is not given much of a mention in your replies. Definately give them an audition at Alberts, either Myaree or Morley may be the best bet.

Interesting indeed... Though I'd suppose it's because I have not included these guys' preference in my poll.
From all the feedback I've received from people, it sounds like MB Quart *is* a good brand, but no longer the top choice of a lot of audiophiles... Names I keep hearing are Morel, DLS, Dynaudio, Focal, Hertz etc and I think they must be praised for a reason.

I will quite likely check out the sound of those PVF's (though even if I find a demo board, that's not quite indicative of how it would sound in a car)..
Just a pity I can't get all these speakers together and hear them side by side.

On the sub front, the choice is looking easier. Boston's G5 really seems to have a good rep, and it's not beyond my budget. I found it for $554.40, quite tempting.

would be good if you can run all the different speakers on your amp to see which works best

or in turn try your speakers with different amps

i think that most of the options above are goodens but if its straight SQ your after try going to Audio Art and talk to Kurt about what they have as they have got just about every top middle and lower end scale in SQ there already so you could listen to most of them back to back like dynaudio hertz pioneer boston A/D/S and a number of others i think also they have cresendo now but i think they are expensive i havent seen them yet but they are well known for the Solid SQ gear even on a tight budget

Audio Art hey?? Bedford St, North Perth?
If they stock this kinda gear then I will certainly stop by if only just for a look!

I've been to all the retailers I could think of already, and the selection of speakers for demo is always small, usually middle to low end gear.

I'd recommend you check out the Rainbow SLC265. They go for $430 and are very good comps.
Talk to Michael from Sounds Xplosive http://www.soundsxplosive.com.au/ I'm not sure exactly where they are located, but give them a call or email him and I'm sure he can demo some products.
They have the SLC265 in stock atm.