I have to ask the same question as Jonathan. What doen't you like about the focals? I have the 165W set myself, and they are a very picky set. A poor install will send you running, but a well instaled and adjusted set are magical.
So what don't you like about them?
and
How are they installed? Imaged? EQed?
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Building a new system--high-end speaker recommendations?
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solacedagony
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CDTs: quite honestly I don't feel are comparable in hardly any performance area with your Focals. Unless you shell out for the super high end stuff that will cost you thousands and net you the same performance that Vifa XT/XG drivers and a good crossover would provide for much less money. CDTs are great in their budget offerings, not as good in the high end category.
Morels you'd be looking at the Elates in the same level, or an Elate midbass paired with the Supremo tweeter. Dynaudio has new sets out now, which are an improvement over the older stuff. Mainly based on their Esotec home audio drivers, they should be pretty solid though I haven't heard them yet. Dynaudio and Morel are very similar to one another in both sound and design, Morel licenses a lot of Dynaudio technology actually. I tend to prefer the Dyns for their midrange/midbass drivers, but Morel tends to make the better tweeters. But in the end the differences are very, very subtle. The overall sound is on the warm side, pretty neutral and forgiving. The sets are very laid back in sound and are pretty detailed. They will still reveal a lot of the recordings, whether those subtleties be good or bad. Midbass is a bit light on the 2 way sets (7" midbasses), but better than most systems out there. They're more "dry" in their sound, being deep and accurate moreso than that punch you in the chest type of midbass. DLS drivers are pretty similar to them as well, the 2 ways aren't quite as good IMO, but the 3 ways shine due to how low their midrange driver can play in comparison to the Dyn and Morel sets. The DLS 3 ways do well in the imaging department.
The SEAS Lotus components are the most neutral and detailed 2 ways I've heard, they are VERY revealing. Good for reference level material, bad for poor recordings because you'll hear every flaw and that can make a bad recording even more unpleasant. New midbass is designed to be tight and punchy in a car door, intended to be used down to around 80hz or so in a door. Fs and Qts is higher than the last set, basically it's trading some low end extension to get more power and output in the midbass region. Similar to Focal midbasses in that area, perhaps a bit less output and a bit tighter sound to it. Midrange is very neutral and true to the recording, it is a magnesium cone and to some may not possess the warmth that many prefer. They do NOT sound like most metal cone drivers, though, they have a weightier and "darker" sound compared to your typical aluminum drivers, mainly because there are fewer resonances to have to tame (taken care of by the crossover, BTW). Tweeter is detailed for a soft dome, but not overbearing at all. They aren't quite as laid back as a soft dome like you'd get from the Dyn or Morel sets, but they trade that for more detail.
Morels you'd be looking at the Elates in the same level, or an Elate midbass paired with the Supremo tweeter. Dynaudio has new sets out now, which are an improvement over the older stuff. Mainly based on their Esotec home audio drivers, they should be pretty solid though I haven't heard them yet. Dynaudio and Morel are very similar to one another in both sound and design, Morel licenses a lot of Dynaudio technology actually. I tend to prefer the Dyns for their midrange/midbass drivers, but Morel tends to make the better tweeters. But in the end the differences are very, very subtle. The overall sound is on the warm side, pretty neutral and forgiving. The sets are very laid back in sound and are pretty detailed. They will still reveal a lot of the recordings, whether those subtleties be good or bad. Midbass is a bit light on the 2 way sets (7" midbasses), but better than most systems out there. They're more "dry" in their sound, being deep and accurate moreso than that punch you in the chest type of midbass. DLS drivers are pretty similar to them as well, the 2 ways aren't quite as good IMO, but the 3 ways shine due to how low their midrange driver can play in comparison to the Dyn and Morel sets. The DLS 3 ways do well in the imaging department.
The SEAS Lotus components are the most neutral and detailed 2 ways I've heard, they are VERY revealing. Good for reference level material, bad for poor recordings because you'll hear every flaw and that can make a bad recording even more unpleasant. New midbass is designed to be tight and punchy in a car door, intended to be used down to around 80hz or so in a door. Fs and Qts is higher than the last set, basically it's trading some low end extension to get more power and output in the midbass region. Similar to Focal midbasses in that area, perhaps a bit less output and a bit tighter sound to it. Midrange is very neutral and true to the recording, it is a magnesium cone and to some may not possess the warmth that many prefer. They do NOT sound like most metal cone drivers, though, they have a weightier and "darker" sound compared to your typical aluminum drivers, mainly because there are fewer resonances to have to tame (taken care of by the crossover, BTW). Tweeter is detailed for a soft dome, but not overbearing at all. They aren't quite as laid back as a soft dome like you'd get from the Dyn or Morel sets, but they trade that for more detail.
Well I have to put my input on the morel since that is what I currently run. I have the elate 3-ways utilizing the 6" midbass. Jonathan is correct on the one downfall of the small dome mid not playing as low as you would ideally want to see. The midbass is tight and clear, but I have talked to a guy who switched to another brand of midbass driver due to lacking output. So it all boils down to install and application, I know this thread is like a broken record in that sense. As for me recommending morel? Absolutely! The mt-23 tweeter is the best sounding tweeter I have heard next to the focal BE tweeters, I have not had the luxury of auditioning a set of the supremo tweeters yet. From what I am told, from many different people, they are possibly the best tweeter made! If you were to do a custom 2-way, the supremo would be my recommendation for tweeter. You have the capability of extremely low x-over points as far as tweeters go, basically it functions as a widerange tweeter/midrange. Midbass, well there are a lot of great drivers out there as mentioned above, I can't just suggest all morel when there are so many excellent drivers to choose from. However! Jonathans recommendation of supremo tweeters mated to elate midbass, excellent recommendation!! 
BTW, no one has commented on my new system, mentioned in my signature. Any thoughts?
BTW, no one has commented on my new system, mentioned in my signature. Any thoughts?
Morel Elate 3-ways ran by a Genesis Series III Dual-mono, Morel Ultimo ran by an Autotek mm3000.1, Alpine DVA-9861
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......
lol, my mt-23's sound excellent! ask joe he heard them full blast on the way up to usac finals and back!! lmao I wonder if his ears hurt...
Morel Elate 3-ways ran by a Genesis Series III Dual-mono, Morel Ultimo ran by an Autotek mm3000.1, Alpine DVA-9861
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......
Those are some good ones. They just can't do that low end magic that a large format tweet can do It's mainly the lower treble/upper midrange where compacts struggle (where excursion is required), which may or may not be an issue dependant upon where the crossover point is set. 2 way comps (especially 6.5" 2 ways) are where they mainly show their weaknesses.
It's mainly the lower treble/upper midrange where compacts struggle (where excursion is required), which may or may not be an issue dependant upon where the crossover point is set. 2 way comps (especially 6.5" 2 ways) are where they mainly show their weaknesses.ooooorrrrr.......you could try out the new Genesis Studio component set! The 4.5" midrange had a dustcap that functions as a tweeter. Don't ask me how it works cause I don't know! All I know is that the driver only has one voice coil, but plays from 200-40k! and I am told does it beautifully!
Morel Elate 3-ways ran by a Genesis Series III Dual-mono, Morel Ultimo ran by an Autotek mm3000.1, Alpine DVA-9861
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......
JC's Customs
For all your stereo wants.......