I've got the Focal 165K2. I'm running with the stock head for now with line-level converters (yes its a travesty). For some reason, mine sound REALLY REALLY bright. too bright, i have to turn down the trebel.

I'm hoping it's either:

a) mounting location, the bottom of the A-pillars
b) The crossover setting (i'm not sure if it's at -4db or not)
c) the crappy stock head unit
d) poor wiring

those things I can fix. I really hope it's not the speakers themselves since i don't want to replace them. anybody else notice this?

 

I'm no stero genius, but when I heard the focal 165k2 in comparison to bostons, they had much more bass and treble. I thought they were incredible speakers, and I want to put them in my car as well. I think that it is probably your crossover(which is basicially an equilizer) settings affecting that.

Did you install them, or did you have them pro? Because usually the pros will "tune" them after installing them.
So how was the clearance with the window? This I must know, because they are deep speakers and was worried about it.

 

I haven't heard Focals yet, but judging by their cost, superiority in the industry, and general opinion of them by most users, I'd say something's funky with your setup. Maybe the tuning.... most likely a cross between the poor head unit and a lack of an amplifier, though.

Nowhere near enough power to those things. They're trying to run a marathon on two Corn Flakes. So they're wheezing.

 

i had a shop install them, although I wouldn't exactly call them "Pro". it was some hole-in-the-wall joint, they screwed up a bunch of stuff, and the service was *horrible* but that's another story....

forgot to mention that I do have an amp.... they would definitely be wheezing if I didn't! I have the speaker outs running through a line-level converter to a Lunar l60x2 amp, so lack of power shouldn't be an issue hopefully.

guess i should'a went to a better shop!

maybe when i get a better headunit and get rid of the line-level converters it will improve

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by flava
[B]I've got the Focal 165K2.

 

I vote for the location as the issue.

People have commented on the results from A pillar installs with other speakers.

My 165k speakers are mounted in the original spaces in the doors (with the tweeters mounted to the inside of the speaker grills) and they sound terrific with the stock head unit. More power would be better for sure though.

 

a) Mounting location cannot make the tweeters brighter, it can only deaden the sound. If you have the tweeters pointed right at your ear before the install, that is all the brightness you're going to get out of them. Mounting location can be used to your advantage for super bright tweeters...

b) Same as in a), a crossover cannot make the tweeters any brighter. It can only shrink the frequency range coming from the tweeter, not widen it. What frequency do you have it set to -4 dB at?

c) Same thing again...

d) You guessed it, same thing...

If you want to deaden them a bit, try placing various materials between the tweeter cone and the grill. Some materials I've used in the past have included mylar film, rice paper, and that slick white foamy plastic stuff they sometimes wrap panes of glass in (I have no idea how else to describe it..anyone have a name for the stuff?). Try all kinds of stuff, something is bound to get that tweeter sounding exactly the way you want it.

 

A. More power needed!(no head unit is good enough for separates!) B. Power each speaker on their own channel and use an active crossover to not only cross over the tweeter at different levels but to turn down the tweeter if needed.

 

Ummm... MacGyver, I disagree. When we get together soon, I will show you what I mean.

Pinky, I guess I was assuming he was using an amplifier when he said he was using a line-level converter. But then again, I don't think more power will reduce the tweets being so bright. As for the active crossover, I agree entirely. That is how I am crossovering(sp?) my tweets right now. I am not using the passive crossovers that came with the Focals.

Clutchcargo, we need to get together soon! I bought my Focals from the same place that installed yours! Great guys! I mentioned that I knew you went there, and they did remember you.

 

g-s2k,


I am glad your install turned out well. Sound in Motion is a fun place and could be very addictive.

Once a week I head out to Framingham for work.

Next Thursday, the 10th looks like my next visit.

Otherwise, I could do an evening ride sometime if you like.