I have wanted to upgrade my sound system for a while now but just recently got going on it. I am hoping that some of you here can respond the choices I have left...

Right now I have:
Alpine 9831 HU
Lucid DCI
PG 500.4 Ti Amp (4x75 @4, 2x250 @2)

Immediate step right now is to pick the components, then I plan on adding a sub in a wlaurent box after.

I keep debating between Perfects, BA 6.5 pros, and Focals of some sort. I say some sort because I have not had a chance to hear them. My concern with the BAs is that they might want more power than my amp will give (not sure where it falls at 3ohm). Perfects with those clear highs for ~$210 is hard to pass up as well. So my question is how do the Focal 165KPs and/or K2Ps compare to the other two? My assumption is they are similar to the Perfects but with more mid-bass? Music usually includes a mix of hiphop, pop, rock, and electronic - with that type is it worth another $150+ for focals/BA over the perfects in your opinion? I realize that ultimately it is subjective, but I figured I would see what others thought.

Then there is the sub -- I assume I want a 4ohm DVC model so I can get the ~250-300rms off the bridged rear channel? Other than that, I'm not sure which models generally do well in the enclosure. Some of the ones suggested here seem to want 200rms, in which case I would be pushing the general 125% power concept.

Thanks

BD

 

I just switched my Focal Polyglass 165CV's for the Focal kevlar 165KP's. I like them a lot more. Cleaner, clearer sound without the harshness, and more midbass!



Get them online for a great price through:

www.acaraudio.com

www.procarstereo.com

I like the fact that they don't require a ton of power to get good sound (unlike the BA's). So if you're running 75-100w on mids/highs, they will sound very good.

You can always bump up to the 165K2P's for even better quality sound. They come with the utopia tweeter, so they are "good bang" for the buck.

I'm not a fan of Infinity, but I know many have the Perfect's in their cars and really like them.

My personal choices are:

1) Focal KP or K2P
2) MB Quart premium series
3) Diamond
4) Boston Acoutics (pro series)
5) CDT Audio
6) Infinity Perfect

 

MB Quart Premium should be near the same class as the perfects, bostons, or Focals.



Anyway, I suggest perfects, because most of what you listen to the perfects are slightly better performers than the Bostons, better for electronica than the focals....and CDT is just too expensive and not "better" than the other three.

Tied for hip hop....slightly less midbass, but more tweeter burst than the other two....and considerably cheaper. They are power hungry....100wrms is ideal.

 

as an FYI:

the BA pro series @ 3 ohms should make the amp output about 100 Wrms x channel.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

So now I'm debating Perfects (which I have seen for ~$210?) and the 165KPs (Somewhere between $350-$400 online). NFR you said that 100w rms would be ideal for the perfects, while the KPs suggest 80w. Since I am sending 75(perhaps a bit more?) watts at each speaker, do you think that the Focals would let me get away with not taxing my amp as much while still maintaining similar levels of sound quality and volume (not necssarily the same, but similar on average)? I noticed that the focals have a higher sensitivity rating as well, and seem to remember that meaning that I can get more (clean) volume with less power? Basically, with my amp, am I going to have to really push it everyday with the perfects vs. other options?

acaraudio looks like it has some solid prices - have experiences there been good overall? They also have Diamond s600 components for somewhere in between the Perfects and Focals - anyone want to chime in on those speakers given my set-up?

Also FYI - I ordered Lucid's speaker adapters just in case - with these I think I should be all set for installing whichever speaker option I end up choosing? (I have decided to take the install on myself, which should be an adventure to say the least )

Thanks again!

BD

 

Yes, youll be fine with the focals.

I would buy somewhere else...

acaraudio, while good prices, has really bad customer service, and I probably wont buy form them again. I ordered my sub on may 10th, and still dont have it.

 

What is the difference between the 165K2 and the 165KP? Is one discontinued? The KP seems to have the higher-end tweeter (TN52?)

Thanks for the heads up on acaraudio. I will try to find some other online shops.

Any input re: my sub question? 8" sub that can be wired for 2ohm mono @ 250-300rms, emphasis on SQ. The Polk and RF often referenced from crutchfield, etc. seem to only want 200w, and it doesn't seem like an e8a is available. Does Eclipse make an 8" sub?

 

NFRs2000NYC, damn! Sorry to hear about the bad customer service. That was something I was a bit worried about with acaraudio. But I do know that they give a one-year warranty and all products are new. I asked about that!

In that case, try some of the other places like:

www.procarstereo.com

www.thezeb.com

www.sounddomain.com

www.onlinecarstereo.com

The 165KP's are great for the money, but the 165K2P's add a nicer tweeter (Utopia tweeter). But you do pay more for them.

Remember, with the top down and all the wind/road noise, you may never notice the difference in sound quality between the 165KP's and the 165K2P's. So go with what fits in your budget.

If you're running 75w at 4ohms, I'd stick with the Focals only because they'll be more efficient with the power you're pushing. They sound good too!
You'll be happy with the 165KP's.