Thanks for the info! Very helpful! I'm off to go visit some of the stores you listed above to have a listen.

Thanks again,
and for my 2 cents i didn't get the impression that SUX 2BU was bashing Focal in any way. Just like honda's, they're good but too common and I agree.

 

Who cares if something is common or not?

Go to a store, LISTEN TO THEM. If you like the focals better, then buy them. Or are you guys more concerned about what people think then what pleases you?

P.S. i have a set of Macrom ext4.0's for sale .

[ May 27, 2005, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: chev2 ]

 

All good choices but they sound very different, your personal preferences are important.

Some will diss Kicker but set up correctly they can hang with the big brands (the Memphis can sound good but usually way too bright). Image Dynamics is a good articulate comp set too. I run Dyn's and love them for their neutrality in the mid-band and their fatigue free detail. Jason Gays Focals (proper installation is the key to all of these) have an incredible level of control and power over the entire bass and midbass region that is hard to believe.

 

And I think the best advice is go and listen to every damn speaker out there , Make your own decision! Like I have said before we all hear differntly. Too many guys hung up on names. Some of the stuff I carry would put lots of the lines mentioned here to phuking shame. He asked for an opinion and he was given many. Be individual. Be yourself. You are building your car for you not anyone else. Me I could care less what anyone thinks of my gear or myself. Miluni you and I have talked a few times you are a smart guy and you know what you are doing. I wonder if any of the whiners here actually know what they are talking about.

[ May 28, 2005, 01:00 AM: Message edited by: AudioVault ]

 

Hey rob, I'm auctually going down to Audio Vault tomorrow to check out some of the stuff you carry.

 

Speaker City carries AVI, which is definitely worth a listen. I 'think' they carry Focal but not entirely sure. They might be Dynaudio dealers too? I can't see the Dyn's being more expensive than the top-end Focals (K2P series?) but have a look into it.

Audiolines and BoyzAudio carries Focal. Boyz opened up a snootier shop called Axis Audio too on West 4th I believe.

Ralph's Radio carries Boston and Kicker.

The good Quart stuff I believe is at Visions still. There might be an independant that carries it to but I don't know.

Morel is good stuff too. Hzemall Customs is a dealer. </font>[/QUOTE]Utopia is top end stuff from Focal, Dyn's would be more in that price range than Kevlars I think.

 

To repeat what everyone has said:
- Go audition speakers
- Go to an IASCA event and listen to a variety of speakers in different applications

Install is MORE important than your speaker choice, so plan to spend a good portion of your budget on intall.

I've always liked Focals (Utopia series), but have heard some incredible Dynaudio, MB Quart, and Morel applications as well.

 

Thanks for the help guys. Well I went out and checked out a bunch of different speakers.

Focal great as usual but I gotta speak up for two more that people don't usually consider and one in particular.

Eclipse sounded pretty damn good. Between the eclipse i heard ($450) and the Focal ($1600) there was defiently not a $1200 difference. I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

ANyways the ones that got my attention were the exile ones. They're super light and sound incredible. Not to mention they're $400. In my oppinion they're almost better then the focals and very crisp clean sound even at huge volumes.

Not bashing Focal or anything, I'm just starting to think it's overpriced and people are led to believe they're that much better just because they cost so much more.

 

I've been listening to my DLS Iridium 6.2 set for the last 24+ hours... and damn. that's really all I can say is damn. I've listened to some high end home systems, but the clarity, openness and intensity of these speakers is amazing.