Building a new system--high-end speaker recommendations?

zt33l · Post by **zt33l** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:20 pm

A lot of you may have read my other post about amplifiers, and I would thank everyone that responded. On a separate note, that made me rethink the speakers I am going to use for my current my car. My old vehicle has a set of Focal Utopia's (7" Woofer, TN51 Tweeter) and I liked the way it sounded so after getting my new car, I automatically bought another set of Focal Utopia's (165W). I was thinking though that I should probably broaden my knowledge on speakers instead of sticking with what just works. For my musical preference, I prefer warm vocals, well defined (but not fatiguing highs) with a punchy mid bass--I primarily listen to vocals, trance, pop, etc. From what everyone has been telling me, most likely these will be powered be a 4 x 100watt RMS amplifier, so power shouldn't be lacking.

I have limited my selection to either SEAS, Peerless, Scan Speaker, Morel, or CDT. Can anyone give me recommendations on what components would be ideal for what I am looking for? What type of tweeter and midrange driver should I be looking at it? My budget for my front stage is at about 1,000.00, but I'm definitely willing to pay more (or less) if I can justify it. I'm not too familiar with active crossovers either so if anyone can enlighten me, or recommend some that would be ideal, I would appreciate it!

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:22 pm

o jesus. sq close's door behind as i sneak out.

sinister audio · Post by **sinister audio** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:00 pm

how about DLS or dynaudio?

zt33l · Post by **zt33l** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:06 pm

I have considered them but I'm not sure exactly if they would give me the sound I want. Since I can't audition any of these speakers manufacturers anywhere, it's really hard to choose what would be an optimal set without feedback from people who have used their products. Are those your two preferred brands?

sinister audio · Post by **sinister audio** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:11 pm

remember a comp set is only as good as the install so if ur not going to have a very high end install its not going to really matter what u get.

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 3:04 pm

Also Bravox

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:11 pm

ONYRMRK - Joe can probably help you out best with info on Focal.

I think the Focal as a brand is a very good one. One thing to be weary about is the clones being sold via various websites and on E Bay. Im serious, be very careful with this.

Morel is also a very hi end name. Ive never dealt with either brand. Currently Im running Rainbow in my car, if and when I switch I will be looking into Focal or Morel- take that for what its worth.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:30 pm

This question would be best answered after a lengthy evaluation of what you have, and more importantly what you feel your current setup is lacking. Every speaker is a compromise, though there are some that just suck in all areas, you'll experience a unique set of problems from every system you have.

My favorites are the SEAS Lotus Reference components. They sound incredible, but they are quite different from the Utopias you're accustomed to. You'd be hard pressed to find better quality control from anyone that is mass-producing equipment, too.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:47 am

If you don't know anything about crossovers, it'd be in your best interests to get a prepackaged setup with drivers and crossover. You'd need to know the crossover points/slopes of the set to transfer them over to an active crossover. This isn't going to account for notch filters and other compensations, which will be accounted for with your prepackaged passive crossover.
I'm not sure that, besides a basic set that Peerless makes, that Seas, Peerless and Scan Speak have prepackaged sets. They seem to just make raw drivers from which you would have to build a crossover. CDT drivers, I believe, are just rebadged from another raw driver company called Vifa.

zt33l · Post by **zt33l** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:33 pm

Thanks for letting me know--I'm familiar with crossovers and hold they work, but building in building one, I'm a bit hesitant. Are there any other pre-packaged speakers anyone can recommend? I currently have a set of Focal Utopia 165W, but I would love to try something else--that way, I'll be able to choose one the speakers that best match my preference.

Does anyone know in what lines from CDT and Morel are comparable with Utopia's? I think I might try one from one of those first for now, since I don't think I'm comfortable building the entire system from raw components.