Which speakers sound amazing?
04-20-2019, 05:30 PM
#1
Which speakers sound amazing?
Anyone have front component speakers for the S2000 they feel sound amazing between $100-$600 per pair?
Very few audio shops seem to have working demo boards, let alone sets of desirable 6.5" components for A-B testing.
Without being able to audition speakers, am hesitant to throw dollars after brand names without strong recommendations…
About to cave and just order some Polk Audio DB6502, since they seem to be well liked for reasonable cost, and on paper have good frequency range and efficiency. ($119, 35-23k Hz, 92db)
Will be running off Alpine head unit at 18 watts RMS to start, but open to adding separate amp as required.
With bass engine feature enabled, and .flac lossless audio as source, even the stock speakers sound surprisingly decent off the Alpine to me, believe it or not,
but looking to bump it up a level.
A local shop does carry Focal models below, but unable to audition:
isu165 ($169, 60-21k hz, 93db)
165as ($299, 60-20k hz, 91.3db)
ps165v1 ($399, 60-20k hz, 92.5db)
ps165f ($499, 60-28k hz, 92.5db)
ps165fx ($599, 55-28k hz, 92.2db)
Can anyone vouch for any of these Focal models sounding great (or much better than Polk DB6502) in your opinion?
Does anyone really like AudioFrog G60S? ($349, 50-20k hz, 89db)
Very few audio shops seem to have working demo boards, let alone sets of desirable 6.5" components for A-B testing.
Without being able to audition speakers, am hesitant to throw dollars after brand names without strong recommendations…
About to cave and just order some Polk Audio DB6502, since they seem to be well liked for reasonable cost, and on paper have good frequency range and efficiency. ($119, 35-23k Hz, 92db)
Will be running off Alpine head unit at 18 watts RMS to start, but open to adding separate amp as required.
With bass engine feature enabled, and .flac lossless audio as source, even the stock speakers sound surprisingly decent off the Alpine to me, believe it or not,
but looking to bump it up a level.
A local shop does carry Focal models below, but unable to audition:
isu165 ($169, 60-21k hz, 93db)
165as ($299, 60-20k hz, 91.3db)
ps165v1 ($399, 60-20k hz, 92.5db)
ps165f ($499, 60-28k hz, 92.5db)
ps165fx ($599, 55-28k hz, 92.2db)
Can anyone vouch for any of these Focal models sounding great (or much better than Polk DB6502) in your opinion?
Does anyone really like AudioFrog G60S? ($349, 50-20k hz, 89db)
04-21-2019, 05:54 AM
#2
I run these ps165v1 ($399, 60-20k hz, 92.5db) but I feed them 100w RMS from an amp. I really like the Focals, Also running a 10" Type R in the trunk. If you are not going to run an amp then just go with the Polks.
04-21-2019, 08:44 PM
#3
Focal speakers seem to be standard to set other aftermarket sets against. If you can fit the things, with good adapters --- which handle the extra size and weight. I'm running an Alpine set in my S2000,
04-21-2019, 09:21 PM
#4
Your best bet is to keep looking for an audio demonstration. I have the Polks and am typically satisfied with them. Another local (former) S owner had a better system that I could hear the difference with, yet my budget is satisfied with the Polks. It all depends on your budget and ears.
04-22-2019, 07:05 AM
#5
Site Moderator
I've been happy with my JL C5-650's, I had Diamond Audio D971's previously but they were a bit overkill in the S. I've also ran Diamond Audio Hex 600's as well.
Focal makes good stuff, I'd venture to say better than Polk, but everyone's ears are different, plus the S isn't exactly the best car for judging SQ. I tend to prefer a non-metallic tweeter so the highs aren't quite so bright, again, everyone's ears are different.
The amount of power you're putting to the speakers is important, if you aren't planning on adding an amp upgrading the speakers to high end is a waste. HU power isn't sufficient to properly power a set of good components.
Focal makes good stuff, I'd venture to say better than Polk, but everyone's ears are different, plus the S isn't exactly the best car for judging SQ. I tend to prefer a non-metallic tweeter so the highs aren't quite so bright, again, everyone's ears are different.
The amount of power you're putting to the speakers is important, if you aren't planning on adding an amp upgrading the speakers to high end is a waste. HU power isn't sufficient to properly power a set of good components.
04-24-2019, 05:40 PM
#7
Thanks all for the feedback!
Summary of recommendations is:
- Focal ps165v1 (1 really likes on 100w rms)
- Polk DB6502 (1 typically satisfied on a budget)
- JL C5-650 (1 is happy)
- Diamond D971 (1 says overkill)
- JL c5s (1 says pretty good on 250w per channel)
- Alpine (model?) (1 is running)
Surprised that so few seem really happy with their speakers?
Summary of recommendations is:
- Focal ps165v1 (1 really likes on 100w rms)
- Polk DB6502 (1 typically satisfied on a budget)
- JL C5-650 (1 is happy)
- Diamond D971 (1 says overkill)
- JL c5s (1 says pretty good on 250w per channel)
- Alpine (model?) (1 is running)
Surprised that so few seem really happy with their speakers?
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04-26-2019, 04:57 AM
#8
The fact of the matter is that the S2000 is an extremely noisy car, and that noise floor must be overcome by the audio system in order to hear all of the signal. To do this requires a.) clean power to push the speakers distortion-free so that you get b.) volume to hear over the road noise. On the highway, this is already to a level that can cause hearing damage, so proceed as you may...
As far as components, I'm running an Kenwood KDC-X997 active with Phoenix Gold RSd65cs in the doors with 150wpc and an Illusion Audio C10 in the footwell with 400w, and while it sounds extremely clean, there is still a TON of road noise messing with the sound. I have the Polk Db6502 in my daily, and they are quite nice with 100wpc going to them! They even sounded good on head unit power, but an amp drastically changed their sound for the better!
As far as components, I'm running an Kenwood KDC-X997 active with Phoenix Gold RSd65cs in the doors with 150wpc and an Illusion Audio C10 in the footwell with 400w, and while it sounds extremely clean, there is still a TON of road noise messing with the sound. I have the Polk Db6502 in my daily, and they are quite nice with 100wpc going to them! They even sounded good on head unit power, but an amp drastically changed their sound for the better!
04-27-2019, 10:51 PM
#10
The fact of the matter is that the S2000 is an extremely noisy car, and that noise floor must be overcome by the audio system in order to hear all of the signal. To do this requires a.) clean power to push the speakers distortion-free so that you get b.) volume to hear over the road noise. On the highway, this is already to a level that can cause hearing damage, so proceed as you may...
As far as components, I'm running an Kenwood KDC-X997 active with Phoenix Gold RSd65cs in the doors with 150wpc and an Illusion Audio C10 in the footwell with 400w, and while it sounds extremely clean, there is still a TON of road noise messing with the sound. I have the Polk Db6502 in my daily, and they are quite nice with 100wpc going to them! They even sounded good on head unit power, but an amp drastically changed their sound for the better!
As far as components, I'm running an Kenwood KDC-X997 active with Phoenix Gold RSd65cs in the doors with 150wpc and an Illusion Audio C10 in the footwell with 400w, and while it sounds extremely clean, there is still a TON of road noise messing with the sound. I have the Polk Db6502 in my daily, and they are quite nice with 100wpc going to them! They even sounded good on head unit power, but an amp drastically changed their sound for the better!
as for OPs question, ive always liked Focal and run them personally but no experience with those specific models. while it is nice to get other peoples opinion on what setup they prefer, ultimately what i like may not be what you like. my advice would be, make sure to include an amp even if you have to go with a lower set of speakers to fit your budget. the amp will make the most impact, i guarantee an amplified cheaper speaker setup will always sound better than an unamplified pricier speaker setup.