Hybrid Audio .
They have a little something for everyone, for the price point, you'll be hard pressed to find a Focal set that can even come close.

 

I have never heard of Hybrid Audio, then did some research, they have only been around for 3 years. Never heard them so cannot comment on SQ.

Focal has a relatively new model called the 165VR (130VR for the 5.25 ....it is a Polyglass cone with aluminum phase plug (like the K2P) and the new TNB tweeter. They offer tremendous value.

 

I have the Clarus(6.5") set. The tweeters are bright as well. Not laidback at all. But the set sounds incredible and goes low with ease, also a bit quiet on the upper midrange, but midbass is great. Might just sell them, too much gear.

 

what about Hertz or Seas? I've heard that these are very high quality products as well. Any thoughts?

Again, for front components, I have a fairly healthy budget but would like to keep it to around $700 or so.

 

Hertz- I have now heard them in 2 vehicles and at CES 2008 very good, musical

Hybrid Audio- an enthusiast brand, top notch as good as anything out there and world class winner when set up properly. As with Focal, Dynaudio, scan speak and Hybrid the best is not cheep

 

I ran with Scans for two years and have since moved on to using Hybrid Audio. I have the L8, L4 and L1Pro. As you would expect the product is great, but the best part about using Hybrid Audio is the support you get. I don't think there is a single company that supports its customer as well as Hybrid Audio. Hybrid has a Canadian Distributor now too!

www.sound-solution.net

 

Not meaning to muddy the waters further, but I will definitely look into Hybrid and Scan Speak. Do any of you guys have websites for these?

Also, what about Memphis components? I've long been a fan of their amps (I run an old-school 4 channel right now) and subs, and have heard that their components are quality units, but for some reason, haven't lumped them in with the focals and CDTs and Hertzs of the world.

Are they worth exploring?

I may well build my system around a Memphis Belle. so is it worth looking at Memphis' top end speakers?

 

Memphis speakers are fine. But I would not put them at the same quality level as the Hybrid or Scan products.

Solen is the distributor for Scan Speak
I already listed the distributor for Hybrid in my above post.

 

I have the Memphis top of the line last year 15MSQ-15 comp set. it does a lot of things very well, and I competed it very successfully making no apologies for spending 1/20 of anyone else (even ran off HU power to prove a point). But these are bright (silk dome too) makes Focal sound laid back... BUT with great detail, clarity, imaging. Timbre is well off the mark set by Hybrid, and bass output and extension is well below Dynaudio/ morel standards. Sonically and visually similar to the aramid cone Pioneer Premier components (which are definitely worth a listen too BTW). I might prefer the Pioneers...

But I have staging/ depth and imaging a plenty, VERY happy with them at their price but with the crossovers setting of -6 dB (tweeter) and -12dB of all HF and upper Mid freq they are still too 'in your face' from 2000 Hz up.

With a heavy hand on the EQ these babies are quite musical but a little etched (to use a video term). An interesting option for under $300 not as good as the best but better than they should be

 

Hi Sasha,

In your opinion, how do the Clarus compare to the Focal K2P or KPS, or to the CDT HD or ES lines? I've been doing some research and and lot of the recent replies to my thread seem to promote Hybrid, so definitely adding them to my list