I know this has come up heeaaaps of times and every time it comes down to budget, opinions and what the user likes to hear but...

which splits?

I have between $300 and $600 to spend and have heard a few of the following, but still need to make a decision. I am after SQ, esp at high volumes :P but don't want to be spending $600 if speakers for $300 will suffice. i.e. if I spend an extra $300, it must be $300 worth of difference... so here's what I'm up to with prices to match.

Boston (F60?).................$299
Phoenix gold xenon x65.....$300
MB quart DSE 216............$349
Focal polyglass 165V2.......$420
Focal k2 power 165KF.......$529
edit: Hertz HSK-165 ........$350?
edit: Morel pulse 6...........$330?
edit: MB quart RCE 216.....$440
edit: Eclipse 6" splits........$360- worth $499

To me, the PG's offer good value for money but I am unsure about sound quality.
I have not heard the bostons, but have heard good things (any recomendations? other models?)
Word on the street is MB quart is not as good value as it once was, have heard them, not impressed but could have been the install.
Are the focals really worth the extra dosh?
How much better are the k2s as compared to the polyglass?
Are type r's really that bad?- heard them and yes, the new ones are average
Are high end coaxials worth getting or are splits definately the go?

Any thoughts/recomendstions/answers for me would be much appreciated.
After 2nd hand gear too, just incase anyone's selling...
Thanks in advance,
Danno.

Gotta get out there and listen, preferably in a car and always with music ur familiar with. And with a flat response from a good headunit.
Out of that list the focals appeal to me, but you knew I'd pick the most exxy ones anyway.

Dont skimp on install. Sound dd, baffles etc.

Gotta get out there and listen, preferably in a car and always with music ur familiar with. And with a flat response from a good headunit.
Out of that list the focals appeal to me, but you knew I'd pick the most exxy ones anyway.

Dont skimp on install. Sound dd, baffles etc.

yes tim :D hehe, just finished reading about 15 different threads on splits in which you (and others) gave the same advice. Decided not to use the carpet tile as SD either... lol

Hertz HSK-165 (6.5" splits), I know I mention them everytime but they're fantastic for the price. Decent in terms of SQ, it wont win you any competitions but they're pretty good for the price. ~$350

Hertz HSK-165 (6.5" splits), I know I mention them everytime but they're fantastic for the price. Decent in terms of SQ, it wont win you any competitions but they're pretty good for the price. ~$350

I'll edit them into the list because I've heard of them but know little.
Any idea of who'd stock these in wa? (anyone)

www.rmaudio.com who are the distributors of Hertz/Audison/Morel says that this shop in WA sell them:

Technik Car Audio
located in Willetton

Have a look at the Hertz HSK 3-ways.

Stupid loud. very good sound quality, but not as good as Focals, Morels etc etc.

Great if you like hard Trance (like myself)

Yep mate has the hertz 3 ways with the 8" midbass. And I think ur interpretation was spot on.

Stupid loud with no distortion, but they just dont sound real. Definetly lacking something compared to the other flavours. With the 8" mids u seriously dont need subs... Takes ur head clean off with 440 watts a side. hard to hear the 2 x 12" DD3012s over the top of them lol

Mind you he came 2nd in Amatuer Show @ last comp.

So you can still do well with them.

I've got the HSK mids Dan (on sale as per the jvc thread) The hsk tweets are known for being overly bright as well.

The mids absolutely hammer though, and will suck up any power you give them.
Excursion is huge too.

Ive got Morel Pulse 6s ($327 - FHRX Studios's website) and I love them. Crystal clear speakers. I havent been able to turn them up to painful levels though as my factory baffles start protesting. But loud enough for my mum to tell my little sister off for having her stereo up to loud when it was me sitting outside in the car! :bowrofl: (with the amp turned down to minimum... so cant wait till I can start turning the amp up!)

Have yet to get sound deadening installed, but cant wait to see what they sound like then!

But yeah when I was asking the same question, the Hertz and Bostons seemed to be the favorites.

Let us know what you pick and then some pics of the install!!

Cheers
Pete

s_tim_ulate:

Which are better...

Morel Pulse 6s
or
Hertz HSk-165s

I'd go the Morel Pulse for SQ...
The hertz to get loud...

The Morels will sound nicer. Will be much more realistic and in all honesty will get loud enough to do what you want. But the hsk's are a very tough speaker if you have enough power to feed them.

I personally couldnt go back to the Hertz after Morel. I'd prefer my current setup to the 3 way hertz splits as well.

I havent actually heard the Morel Pulses, but have used both Hybrid versions. Morel has a fairly distinct sound to them that you learn to love.

Ive got Morel Pulse 6s ($327 - FHRX Studios's website)...
...Let us know what you pick and then some pics of the install!!

Cheers
Pete

Will definately report back in, but i'm trying to keep it looking factory. No sub intended but (as I said to tim on the JVC unit thread) 8 or 9" mids are an option...

Tim, are your HSK mids 6"? Because I was contemplating splits in the front doors, mids in the rear doors and 6x9's in the tailgate, hoping that the 6X9's and rear mid-bass would make up for not having a sub. (don't intend to get one but as I said, 8 or 9" are a possibillity)

HSK's sound like something for me to research then.

I am into everything but most played inc hard rock, heavy metal, house, dance/trance.

Any opinions on the bostons and the phoenix gold xenon series? (eek where are you?? :D )

Hertz hsk 165 are 6.5" - Midbass is really deep and hits hard.

Bostons are a great all rounder.

PG's I've never heard except for their subs, but Eeks ur PG man...

Hertz hsk 165 are 6.5" - Midbass is really deep and hits hard.

Bostons are a great all rounder.

PG's I've never heard except for their subs, but Eeks ur PG man...

Well, here i am! hahaha

I've heard all teh Octane series splits, but they're the series below the xenons. Nothing to rave about, but the xenons go pretty well(the subs especially!). LIke the octane's the tweeters are still a little too bright and a bit harsh for my liking...u'll probably find the same with the hertz. I haven't heard a xenon in a well prepared door (no sd, sstuff like that...typical garage DIY install only).

I'm running something like 65wrms per channel into my octane r's but they're mounted on the plastic baffles, which sadly gives me next to no midbass...try to re mount them on mdf, and maybe chuck a tile behind the speaker (yeh, ghetto style, don't want to spend too much on my doors since i'm saving for a new car). To be perfectly honest with you, I'm not satisfied with my splits, but that'll do until my upgrade :D

but yeh, i guess if you're going for SQ, you'd probably want to lean towards morels, focals.....if i were you i'd go focals as well too......nobody's said anything about the bostons...where's mr_charisma lol

Still though, go for a listenn! :D

Well, here i am! hahaha

I've heard all teh Octane series splits, but they're the series below the xenons. Nothing to rave about, but the xenons go pretty well(the subs especially!). LIke the octane's the tweeters are still a little too bright and a bit harsh for my liking...u'll probably find the same with the hertz. I haven't heard a xenon in a well prepared door (no sd, sstuff like that...typical garage DIY install only).

I'm running something like 65wrms per channel into my octane r's but they're mounted on the plastic baffles, which sadly gives me next to no midbass...try to re mount them on mdf, and maybe chuck a tile behind the speaker (yeh, ghetto style, don't want to spend too much on my doors since i'm saving for a new car). To be perfectly honest with you, I'm not satisfied with my splits, but that'll do until my upgrade :D

but yeh, i guess if you're going for SQ, you'd probably want to lean towards morels, focals.....if i were you i'd go focals as well too......nobody's said anything about the bostons...where's mr_charisma lol

Still though, go for a listenn! :D

Well, like I said earlier, i've heard the mb quarts in a prado and it sounded like it had a really harsh tweet, almost to the point where it sounded like it was crackling... could have been install... it was mounted in the factory spaces too, facing near vertical straight up into the windscreen. I intend to install mine in the door, just inside the wing mirror facing the centre consol I've decided.

The TI6's are still an option but it would mean saving for another few weeks and I think the money would be better spent elsewhere... eg on focals or bostons.

Tim, I'll get back to you about the hsk mids. I'll concentrate on front splits atm but I'm keen as mustard to do mids in the back doors for a bit more depth. Was just reading a thread on putting stock speaker grilles in the rear doors.

Still no comments on the bostons?
Or the difference between the k2's and the polyglass series focals?

:bump:
ok here's where I'm at...

Havent heard the hertz, bostons, morels or quartz reference series.
Today I listened to eclipse splits and they sounded pretty good, not top notch, but like very good value at $360. Started to look at 6X9's too just so I could compare the MB quarts and the eclipse speakers in general. The MB quarts sounded like their tweet was a bit harsh, but I think thats just personal opinion. The eclipse had good bass (as did the splits) and a fuller sound.

Noone has mentioned eclipse, so I'm interested what people think of their speakers and how they sound and how they're priced.

Any info on where to go to see/hear/buy morel, hertz and boston in WA is also appreciated.

edit: morel pulse 6" I can get from fhrx for $330... they're an option

Cheers,
Danno

I had started this sort of thread a few months back. Do a search on threads started by me with 'splits' in them. It was June sometime.

This is what I found.

Much better to lower my spending for the speakers and add to door deadening and installation.

Listened to Boston (fs-60's maybe... can't remember now) in both a fully prepped car with all deadening, diffusers and custom pods etc, and a 'just get them in' install with the rest of the system fairly similar (same amps & head unit). talk about chalk and cheese difference in sound quality. Fully installed had tons more bass and mid-bass. Also much better imaging, they kept the tweeters close to the mid-bass briver. The other was tinny by comparison, lots of rattles. Awful.

Speakers I auditioned:
Hertz HSK 3-ways (Not as SQ oriented as the 2-ways but FCUKING LOUD! Was like being hit around the head with a baseball bat. Great for Dance music doof nuts like me. Left that vehicle with one big smile on my face. 2x 12" subs -Higher end MTX's- were struggling to keep up but I thought they were somewhat underamped and crossed over too low at 70hz)

Hertz HSK 2-ways (more SQ than 3 ways, helluva lot more controlled although bright. Also a nice speaker, much smoother upper mids to highs in the 3 ways however due to more drivers)

Bostons - Various models. Great all rounder, you could do alot worse. Top notch installation an absolute necessity - they go so much better in a solid, deadened door.

MB Quarts - yes, bright but could be EQ'ed out to my liking.

Morels - Nice, but a fairly soft suspension speaker, not really suited to musical styles I like.

I'm aiming for the HSK-3ways, but they are great for what I like. Bostons would be the next in line.

I have always liked the way the Boston Rallye Sounded..

My factory plastic baffles complain something bad and the amp is turned down to minimum, but the Morels are still pretty damn loud. Cant wait to see what they can do with a sub to handle the bass and a fully preped door!
Judging by your music tastes, although I love the Morels, I'd go the Hertz 165s, specially as you arent going for a sub. The Hertz seem like they have better bass form what people are saying.
Don't waste your money though. Fully prep the doors. Doesnt have to be straight away, but make sure you do it.

Good luck!
Pete

I'm planning to do the whole lot in stages:

1. Head unit- stock speakers

2. Splits replace fronts

3. 6x9 replace rear

4. sound deaden with dynamat- all panels eith speakers

5. amp and wires

6. either 6" midbass in rear doors or up to 9" subs behind the back seats in the rear quarter panel of the wagon.

I intend to do this over months so I can see and appreciate the sound quaity improvements due to each of these steps and have a quality system that I like.

I need to hear these hertz speakers, I've decided.

Tim, did you use the hertz/candence/boston split system together or is that just what you have left to sell? Have you heard them played together? Do the boston xovers have adjustable levels for the tweet?

cheers,
Danno

Still no opinions on eclipse? they do make the head units for the vrx...

I have used the hertz /boston /cadence tweets... Nothing amazing... But definetly works.
Definetly not gonna win any comps though.

there's no adjustment on the xover,

Otherwise I have a coustic electronic crossover, fully adjustable everything.
Set ur crossover points/slope etc.

Could do that with the hertz and cadence (wouldnt need the boston xover) for $300.
But u need 4 channels of amplification to run the lot.
Means u can easily upgrade the tweet later on too.

Thanks tim, I'll keep it in mind. At the moment I'm after a set of focal K2 power series (165kp) for $289...

I don't think I'm going to be able to beat that, so I'm going to go ahead unless someone says otherwise...

Cheers,
Danno

Cant beat BOSS Audio mate !! their 6 inch splits are the Bee'z knee'z.... Not.. :bowrofl:


Have you looked too see what DLS,Rainbow, Vibe and CDT all have to offer ??

CDT were supposed to produce the most Natural sounding Speaker ( a 6x9 to say the least) the CDT CL-69X for around the $600 price tag, so I could imagine their splits being a little cheaper ??? ( as the CDT's were reviewed in Hot 4's Edition Number 94)


see CDT audio here..worth checking out..
http://www.cdtaudio.com/

Cant beat BOSS Audio mate !! their 6 inch splits are the Bee'z knee'z.... Not.. :bowrofl:


Have you looked too see what DLS,Rainbow, Vibe and CDT all have to offer ??

CDT were supposed to produce the most Natural sounding Speaker ( a 6x9 to say the least) the CDT CL-69X for around the $600 price tag, so I could imagine their splits being a little cheaper ??? ( as the CDT's were reviewed in Hot 4's Edition Number 94)

I've heard of them, but it's also a matter of being able to hear them before I buy and perth has very very little on display as far as quality car audio goes. It's hard enough just to find a store with bostons or focals let alone many of the other imported brands because most stores only cary between 2 and 5 brands and 4 of them at least will be commercial stuff like sony, kenwood, pioneer etc...

The focal k2's (kp165)are the go at the moment, just because at $344 delivered, they're a quality speaker that I've heard and like... and they retail for $530 on fhrx! Westside car audio wanted $760!!!

Ill just like to add that you can get a pair of Alpine 6.5" type S for under $100 if anyone wanted to know.

where from? new? might use them for backfill

I have seen them at Westside Car Audio for $99 (in WA)

They also have the 6x9 Type S for $120.

EDIT: yeah brand new :)

I'd highly recomend alberts car stereo in freo, the guy there is a legend.
Spoke to him all day about everything audio. He'd match any advertised price you took him I'd bet.

Westside car audio wanted $530 for focal 165V2's while FHRX offers them at $419.
I dont trust them...

committed to buying the focal 165KP K2 power splits for $344 delivered to the door...
Just gotta hope I get them now...
and that their in one piece...
and that they're real...
I'm so nervous, its my first ebay buy!

I'm no longer an evirgin :D

committed to buying the focal 165KP K2 power splits for $344 delivered to the door...
Just gotta hope I get them now...
and that their in one piece...
and that they're real...
I'm so nervous, its my first ebay buy!

I'm no longer an evirgin :D


Ummmm.... not to rain on ur parade but I hope you didn't get it from these guys...

http://www.focal-fr.com/COUNTERFEITING/onlinedepot.htm

Focal is smashin down on counterfeits... I think this is gonna hurt a lot of ppl I know.. I saw a RF amplifier tha other day that looked fake as well... Hope it wasn't.... for the Ebay buyers sake...


EDIT: OOPS... I just realized how old dis thread was!! :redface:

No Probs.. Start a New one to Warn future Buyers

yep... doin one now

what about the Jaycar Response 6.5" splits. I heard these and they were way better then anything else i heard. Caraudioaustralia.com.au all reckon that these are really good. Thats what i'll be getting.

Jaycar splits are great bang for buck. As are most Jaycar products.

But dont skimp when it comes to front splits. Use as much $$ as you can afford even if it means running them off the headunit for a bit before you get an amp. Front splits are by far the biggest determinant of how well your system reproduces music.

If possible have a listen to: Dynaudio, Morel, Boston, DLS, Phass, Eton, Diamond

On a budget: Hertz, MB Quart

On a bigger budget: Pioneer, JL, JBL etc.

But definetly try and have a listen to some of the less common brands if you want quality audio

Peace

Tim

Jaycar splits are great bang for buck. As are most Jaycar products.

But dont skimp when it comes to front splits. Use as much $$ as you can afford even if it means running them off the headunit for a bit before you get an amp. Front splits are by far the biggest determinant of how well your system reproduces music.

If possible have a listen to: Dynaudio, Morel, Boston, DLS, Phass, Eton, Diamond

On a budget: Hertz, MB Quart

On a bigger budget: Pioneer, JL, JBL etc.

But definetly try and have a listen to some of the less common brands if you want quality audio

Peace

Tim


Hold on Tim, Dont you mean

On a Bigger Budget Mb Quart and Hertz
Lesser Budget JBL, Pioneer ETC as I think Both Pioneer and JBL have splits that retail for less then MB Quart ???


INCAR Entertaintment Australia Did a 6 and 6.5 inch Split Review in an Edition 62 I have and Rated the Best Budget Splits to a Company called AudioBank and they retail for $130..
Audiobank TC6500
I just have no Idea as to where they got them from..

http://tenvox.com.au/audiobankcomp.htm

On a bigger budget: Pioneer, JL, JBL etc.

Tim

Um... at the risk of putting words into ppls mouths I think he meant to say "on a tighter budget"

No worries Tim, we know what ya meant!!! :thumbsup:

haha...
How about on more of a budget...

Nah mate... I thought you meant as in tight budget, sphincter budget.. I reckon go Poineer all the way!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Speakers-1-Pair-Brand-New-in-Box-4-x-6-600w_W0QQitemZ5821575850QQcategoryZ3292QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

Poineer mate, Poineer...

try Infinity Kappa Perfects...... i have them and they are very crisp....

massive cross overs, huge magnets, aluminum woofer cone, silk dome tweeter....

just try them...

Well, I've got the soundstream LOS Series front splits, they retail for about $499 but imo are well worth it. I'm biased, but it's worth checking them out if you can find somewhere that sells them (in vic: Gary's Car Radio). I never realised how crap my music sounded in the past untill i got my new set up :P
I hada look at a few others, mb quart, focal, when i listened to them it didn't sound as good, although, they were in different shops, so hard to compare :| But anyway, thats just my opinion :P

I've gone with Hertz HSK-165's I picked up from FHRXstudios.com for $327. Installing them this weekend and hoping for good results. I've only heard them on a board so far so fingers crossed they sound decent installed properly in my car. Will be running them off a Kicker KX200.2 for the moment.

Will let you know my in-car results once they're installed.....