Help me choose my components :)
 

My best friend is an installer and has offered to get me whatever I need at his cost. I'm looking to land a set of 6.5" components. I have MB Quart, Clarion, and Soundstream to choose from.

Here's the caveat....
I'm probably going to order them without ever hearing them. Yes you read correctly. Sounds stupid but honestly, I don't want to walk into any of the local shops and pretend I'm interested in their speakers just so I can have a free demo... only to leave and buy them through my friend.

For now I have a set of bottom of the barrel - future shop MB Quart's i've had for 4 years or so. They work ok but you can tell they're not knocking anyone's socks off. They don't handle volume well. However I'm sure the high end MB's are a whole new ball game.

I'm looking for a component that shines at higher volumes and has some punch. Yes I'm limited to picking from the three companies I mentioned but I'm sure I can find something suitable. I'm going to be running at least 75 watts rms to each speaker.

Anyway let me know guys what you suggest. Remember of the three companies I would be willing to buy anything at cost. Don't worry about budget. :)

Not to be offensive, but that was my initial reaction...

Despite how you feel about wasting a local shop's time, you really need to hear what you're buying to make a decision you're not going to regret. I personally favour MB Quart and Soundstream on this one, but that's just me.

Good advice. I'll go and check 'em out when I get the chance. I'm curious what the soundstream are like however.

If I had to choose one of those brands, I'd get the Soundstream XXX6.5 2ohm comp set. May hurt SQ a bit at 2 ohm, but I'd be fine with that considering the extra power .:cheeky4:

All of this. Sound quality is different for different people. I would say that all three are just different "flavours", and you need to find out if you like Strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla better.