Mid - High end component suggestions / places to audition
 

I'm looking for new components.
I had a pair of Polk Ex2 components and they were OK, but I'm looking for something that will really wow me - yet won't break the bank.

I'm not too interested in Polk - I've owned coaxial and comps from them, and they sound okay, but I know I can get better.

Here are the brands that I am considering, and I'm open to suggestions:
Alpine Type X - I've listened to type S & R and they sounded pretty good, but from what I've read about the type X, I'm eager to audition them - I just need to find where.
MB Quart
DLS
Focal

The last three, I don't know where to start - For one, there are no retailers in the Niagara region so I'll need to be very intentional in finding time to audition some speakers. Secondly, I'm not familiar with their product line, so I don't know what model to begin with.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

I'm looking to spend $150 - $250 at an online store, so anything that would retail under $400 would be of interest to me.

Thanks

With your budget, the best component set IMO is on Ebay. Look into Diamond Audio HEX. I do not think anything comes close for this price. They retailed $800-$1000 when they came out.

Thanks. I haven't even heard of the brand before. The searches I've done so far look impressive. I'll keep them in mind.

Other brands that I've thought of
Kaption
Boston Acoustics
Elemental Designs (I'm currently running an eD 9kv2.4 and quite like the little sub, so matching comps seems appealing to me as I am considering moving the sub somewhere up front . . . but I'm most interested in the best sound for the buck instead of a single brand system).

I'm also toying with the idea of a package deal from eD - I saw they have some packages where they sell DLS comps with a Nine.2 amp . . . and a pretty good price for the package . . . I might wait a little bit and get a completely new front stage all in one shot.

Any input and experience would be great . . . and anything would be better then my polks (left blown midbass, right blown tweeter)

check out Hertz audio. I just installed my 3 ways. they are super clear, I love them.
before I bought them I listened to the 2 ways and I was sold, I told the store right there to order in the set of 3 ways for me.

I was going to purchase a pair of Boston Pro 60 components, but a recent opportunity popped up and I have a set of DLS UP6 components waiting to be installed later this week when I have time. Dont have the manual in front me, but I think they are rated for 150 wrms.

Still have to open up the 5x7 holes, make a spacer, and stick the rather large crossovers somewhere.

Once I get them hooked up, I'll be glad to let you know how they sound.

Did you buy those from a member on the board?
I was reading his sale and was going to contact him when I saw that he sold them . . . It was a pretty good deal.

Hybrid Audio?
I heard them in Peterborough over the weekend i was SUPER impressed

Yes. I wasn't planning on it, but who needs food next week right? :)

I haven't had time yet, but I'm sure they will sound good. He opened up the box and everything but there was no need. He pulled up in a spotless black car (after it had been raining the last few days) ;)

John

Cheapest Hybrid Audio set is double his budget easy.

my bad, i missed the budget.
but i must say i was VERY impressed with the hybrid stuff.
I currently am running Focal, and I am seriously thinking of changing it up

Not to hijack the thread, but if you're already running a K2P set, the trade off is not there, however the sound characteristics are night and day. To each their own with these two sets. If you're running cheaper Focals, then Hybrid is an upgrade. The tweet on Hybrids is the most detailed one I have ever encountered for a silk, and you may have to thank higher xover settings for transparent and unstrained/effotless sound. Vocals are great too, as most of the vocal range is covered by the mid. I am talking about Clarus by the way, but as I said way over his budget.

Highjack away - you're still talking about high end components, so information is helpful.
I've been cruisin' through e-bay and unfortunately the majority of American sellers charge around $75 to ship to Canada . . .
I've noticed the guy who has the ebay ads here (car stereo speakers) only charges $20-$25 for shipping. He has a few lines that I'm interested in - Boston, JL, Apline . . .

Has one one done business with this guy yet?

I'm also looking at OZ - any experience with OZ?

With your $250 budget, I still stand by Diamond Audio Hex. Nothing comes close.

I have noticed that ebay guy pre pays the brokerage fees (if we are thinking of the same guy) that means you dont get hit with huge rip off fees at the door.

Secondly, I have learned if you pay more to have it shipped USPS air, the brokerage fees are also convered according to thier website.

Check out the pioneer PRS. Tweets aren't great but the mid is hard to beat.

I echo the great PRS mids, and you can look into swapping that Pioneer tweet with something like Seas Neo from Solen or Madisound, and still use the complete component set.

I have seen some poeple using the PRS mids, and Alpine ring radiator tweets with excellent results.

Morel Dotechs will be in your budget and sound great, we have them on display if you ever want to hear them.