Looking at upgrading the stock speakers in my EVO to some Focals. Any opinions, experience or otherwise with this brand?

The ones I'm looking at are these...

http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/polyglass1.htm

The very top ones... 165V1 - 6.5" component speaker set.

Also looking at the 6x9's for the back which are right down the bottom of the page.

Keep in mind the fronts will be amped off a JVC AMP. AMP is this one...

http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=15947

Thinking I could just run the rears off the HU. Thoughts?

Headunit is a Pioneer DVD single DIN unit with iPod control etc and 50Wx4.

http://www.ryda.com.au/Pioneer-AVH-P5750DVD-In-Dash-DVD-Player-p/avhp5750dvd.htm

Cant really go wrong with Focal.

As will be mentioned, if you get a chance listen to them first. Boston, Focal, Hertz, Morel etc are all top brands that dont let down on quality - but everyone has different tastes in what they think sounds good.

Amping front and leaving 6 * 9's unamped is fine, unless you drive from the backseat of your car.

The amp itself, eh, but if you already have it, then it will do. I *personally* dont like underpowering speakers as once you get the right power into a speaker, its amazing how different the sound is.

I just helped Nemesis install some 165V1 components into his car over the weekend. At the moment they're only running off his headunit and they sound wicked, really can't go wrong with them. Buy quick though, if your lucky you'll be able to find a place with stock from before the prices sky-rocketed. There's a place near me that has a few sets left under $300 atm, but thats no use to you up in Qld haha, hopefully there's a similar place near you! :D

I can get the speakers for a good price, and I already have the AMP. But that doesn't mean I can't upgrade it. Seeing as tho I know as much about AMPs as I do about the cognitive state of neuron dialysis, can someone point me at a good AMP for those Focals?

All depends on how much you want to spend, where the amp will be mounted etc

The JVC will do the job, but the 55wrms @ 4ohm output is probably at 14.4V, considering your amp will only see about 13.8V means it real world, the amp puts out 52wrms. Speakers are 70wrms, which makes them around 34% underpowered.

Also - depends if you want to go 2 or 4 channel, i.e is this as far as your stereo goes? Or will you amp the 6 * 9's later down the track?

My picks would be:
4 channel: Eclipse XA4200 (100wrms x 4) $529 (lifestyle store)
Vibe Slick A3 (4 x 100wrms) $506 (Fhrx)

For 2 channel, Vibe slick A2 (2 x 100wrms) $359 (Fhrx)

Then you also have Alpine PDX series (though, rather pricey)

Etc

Why do you say Amp all in capitols?lol

I don't see a point in amping the rear speakers as I only hear the front ones, so a 2 channel AMP will be fine I guess.

Im running those focals off a mid spec Alpine deck and they sound sweet, if you really wanna make em dance when they are amped, I recommend the use of some acoustic absortion tiles fitted behind the woofer. I plan on runnin mine off a amp in the near future, from my past experiences with focal, ideally you want to feed them a lil bit more than they state as rms and set your gains accordingly, ie: I had a set of focal polygl*** V2 splits their wrms stated was 100 and I was feeding them 125wrms from a V12, damn did they pump.

XA4200's fail because Eclipse has introduced their form of inbuilt sound filtering to make your music 'sound better', and you cannot turn it off. fine for some maybe, but stupid in practice.

XA4000's ftw

XA4200's fail because Eclipse has introduced their form of inbuilt sound filtering to make your music 'sound better', and you cannot turn it off. fine for some maybe, but stupid in practice.

XA4000's ftw
You mayaswell of just typed all that in Cantonese mate. lol

Budget $300-$400 for a 2 channel, and you wont really be able to go wrong.

Eclipse, Focal, Audison, Vibe.

Any of those in 2 channel will be fine. Just make sure they have atleast 2 x 80wrms @ 4ohm output.

hey man i got focals all round in my car polyglass 165v1 components in front and 6x9s access range in the rear was told that there the same as the polyglass and cheaper to i'm also running a sound stream 4 channel amp and loving it :D

As has already been said, the Focals are good, but try to have a listen to Morel, Hertz, Boston etc as well if you can.

I personally wouldn't use the JVC if you have the money to upgrade. Again repeat of what has been said, Focal, Vibe, Audison amps are all good.

If you aren't getting a sub, maybe you would consider amping the rears?

As has already been said, the Focals are good, but try to have a listen to Morel, Hertz, Boston etc as well if you can.

I personally wouldn't use the JVC if you have the money to upgrade. Again repeat of what has been said, Focal, Vibe, Audison amps are all good.

If you aren't getting a sub, maybe you would consider amping the rears?
If I amp the rears, would I be better off getting 2 x 2 channel amps or get 1 x 4 channel amp with more power to run the fronts and the rears?

4 Channel for ease of wiring/installation.

The Vibe 4 channel I mentioned, has 4 x 100wrms.

Your fronts are 70wrms, rears are 80wrms.

Means it has ample power for both.

If I amp the rears, would I be better off getting 2 x 2 channel amps or get 1 x 4 channel amp with more power to run the fronts and the rears?

Go a single 4 channel, much neater and easier solution. The gains for for each side are independent so you can set your rears louder/softer and adjust crossover points etc independently. A 4x100 would be fine.

Great. Thank you. :)