I'm looking for opinions/recommendations for 4" mid-range speakers to use as a centre channel. I was going to use just one, but 2 are not out of the question if there is a good reason. I want to stick to 4" as each door will have 2 x 6 1/2" mid-bass, 1 x 4" mid-range and 1 x 1" dome tweeter with another dome tweeter high in the windshield side post. It will be either an Alpine 30Wx2 or 60Wx2 @4ohm powering them all. Haven't decided on that yet, but assume 60Wx2 to be on the safe side.

Anyone have a manufacturer preference or good experiences with a certain brand of 4"?

 

In an ideal world, where things like off-axis response and reflection don't exist, you'd want your center speaker to match your fronts. This is what is done with proper home systems, as much as is possible.

But when you are in your car, with a 4" in your doors way off axis, and a center channel being reflected off the windshield, I don't think it's really going to much matter what you put in there.

And tonally, the best 4" I've run across are the KEF Q100.

 

Hybrid Audio Technologies makes a wicked 4" driver.

 

A great 4 inch regarldess of price is the PRS 4inch from pioneer. Only available in europe and asia in paires though. It is around 300$ + ship for the paire.

 

My thanks to all for their suggestions.

macguyver, you may be right, but I also have space restrictions in the dash as well (didn't mention).A place I worked for used to be a kef retailer and I did like their sound. I'll try to find a local retailer and listen.

grep, I never heard of Hybrid Audio, I'll look into it. One of the shops here has a pretty fair assortment of names.

AAAAAAA, back in my day (over 10yrs now), the only thing Pioneer that ever impressed me was the H50 amp and one of their 10" subs (worked real well in a bandpass enclosure). I bet nobody even remembers those now. As I've now started to learn (again), things change rapidly. I'll give Pioneer another listen, but can't justify the price tag for those specific units on this build, especially since I can't even hear them first.

 

i've ran afew diff 4" for my center channel. right now im running a jl co ax but its hard to get really good center imaging in a car i find. if i could fit i'd go 6 1/2 component.

 

Macrom EXT MD4...............