Car stereo guys

[The Violator]

Its been 10+ years since I bought any high end stuff for my cars. I ran sony mobile es, PPI, Jl Audio and MB quarts then. Whats the new hot ticket now. I was looking to pick up some new speakers for my wagon, and saw that the price of MB Quarts stuff has either come way down, or its not all that anymore. I want great sound, and while price is a consideration, its not the driving force. I need a 6" a 4" and a tweeter. I was looking at MB quarts reference line. I have 4 12" rockford subs and 2 bd1001 amps for them, but need some mid and high amps and speakers. And I live in a smaller town that does not allow me to hear things before I buy them, and I have been burned going on name alone. I want sound quality above spl.
thanks
ted

 

[Harley]

I believe MBQ was bought out by DEI quite some time ago (I know PPI was). I also believe the SQ fell when that happened. It has been a few years since I graduated and stopped working in stereo though. I could have the names confused.

I have always been a fan of the JBL and Infiniti stuff, the high end stuff. The JBL GTi components are what I ran and they were amazing. A little pricey at about $600 per set of 6.5" but worth it. You will need a good clean 4 ch AB amp for them of course.

 

[soundcolor]

Can't go wrong with Infinity

 

[Egnix]

I was like you until 2 years ago. My old car had MB quart speakers, a JL sub, and an Alpine amp. When I got my new car I learned that MB Quart had been bought buy someone (Rockford Fosgate, maybe) and weren't what they used to be. I heard a lot of good things about Focal and checked them out. I ended up with Focal speakers and sub, and JL amps. I ended up hating the coaxials I got for my doors and got components instead. I /love/ them. Took me a little while to get used to them (but that's normal for me and new speakers).

I noticed that Crutchfield just started carrying Focal. I hope that's not a bad sign...

BTW, my goal as well was sound quality above spl.

 

[WVB]

MB Quart was bought out and since fell to the way side... Since you owned MB's in the past (as I have) sticker shock will not be new to you. I would recommend looking into Boston Acoustics for mid's high's, as far as subs go you can't go wrong with JL Audio (although there are tons of subs out there just as good for less). This will all depend on what your plans are of course. Personal usage or competition..?

 

[rottenbelly]

I would recommend Image dynamics. I have messed with car audio my whole life, worked at numerous shops and such. I still like the high end kenwoods excelons myself. As for subs, RE audio can eat the rest for
breakfast ,lunch and dinner!! Here a website i trust and do alot of buisness with."thumbsup"
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.brands&category_id=9&brand_ID=36

 

[The Violator]

I have a set of 6.5 image dynamics middle of the road components, and 4" also, I was looking forward to them, but they really are harsh. I have the Boston pro 6-4-tweet in my excursion and like them, but was looking to go back with quarts.

 

[comptonscrawler]

If you want the best go with Focal! Hands down the best midrange speakers you can buy in my opinion.

 

[axman2010]

Well now I have learned why MBQ are so much cheaper now. My dad only ran quarts in his systems and they werent cheap then. I have also heard good things about the higher end JBL, and JL will (imo) always be a great choice. Focals are good if you spend the money, don't buy the cheaper line because you wont be happy. Phenix Gold is also good.

 

[ubbb69]

Jl sub and amps focal mids tweets. The focal top line not the lower line."thumbsup"

 

[cartronicshn]

You can also try Focal, these are crisp, clean sounding speakers, you can start with the access series, polyglass, k2 power(i personally like these a lot) or if you go the coin for the utopia's"thumbsup"

 

[Mr.Slave]

there is only one brand you should consider

http://www.massiveaudio.com/

 

[ToyTundra]

build your own component set: Seas, Morel, Scanspeak
Component sets: DLS, Hertz, Hybrid audio, Dynaudio, Focal, Rainbow
Amps: Arc audio, ADS, Helix, Zapco, Audison, Zed audio, JL, oldschool like Linear Power, PPI

I would seriously make a road trip to audition whichever interest you.

 

[KrawlOff-Road.com]

WOW, Car audio is where I come from. I was a high end custom installer for 10+years. I used to compite in both SPL and SQ. Loved it!!! Still thinking about getting back into it.

You can also try Focal, these are crisp, clean sounding speakers, you can start with the access series, polyglass, k2 power(i personally like these a lot) or if you go the coin for the utopia's"thumbsup"

X2 Focal is the way to go if you have the money. They are pricey. If you don't want to spend that much look into ID. They have some of the best sounding stuff and at a great price!! Amps... Audison hands down for SQ. Wow, put them with some Audio Control digital stuff and amazing things will happen. A cheaper amp line would be Alpine. Great stuff all around. Sometimes not so user friendly though. Small and compact. For SPL amp, JBL Crown!!Subs... ID for SQ. For SPL, RE all the way. That is what I used in my SPL comp van. Humm, I have two RE MT 18's setting around that would be great in you wagon.!!!If you have any questions, you can just ask. I would love to help... -Jason

 

[ClodMonster]

Personally I love RE and Fi subs. They just sound so good.

Fi makes some very good subwoofers, with lots of options to choose from.

https://ssl.perfora.net/ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1549a74797814cb/shopdata/index.shopscript

 

[ol' gravy leg]

check out dynaudio or DLS components, they are nice without the price getting too out of hand. I had arc cxl series amps and they were good, i think they were bought out though so I'm not sure how the quality is these days. DLS makes a pretty good amp too.

for subs, yeah...RE is the shit. had some in my old truck, only sub i'd ever own.

 

[The Violator]

This is what I want.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091165KRX3/Focal-K2-Power-165-KRX3.html?tp=106&avf=N

But they cost more than I paid for the car that they are going in. I am gonna think real hard about them. My visa has been bad. Maybe I should punish it.

 

[The Violator]

On a side note, I really want a wall with the 4 12's just above the back seat facing forward. I know they would sound better in the very back, I like the way they look in a wall. Any ideas. I could probably get 6 total facing forward, but only have 4 right now. I understand that the sound quality will suffer, but how much ?

 

[The Violator]

maybe these

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9564_Focal+100+KP.html#

and

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9566_Focal+165+KBE.html

 

[The Violator]

or this, but it might be thier lower line.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10613_Focal+165+VR3.html