I have replaced the HIFI speakers with Inifinity Kapps, and they are too bright for my tastes. I thinking of switching to something warmer, but what? I'd like to improve on the Kappas with something warmer. I'm mostly interested in the 6x9s because they are (or can be) dominant in my unique setup.



Some of the options I'm considering:
Connect a two channel amp to the rear leads at the X0331 connector, replace the Infinity Kappa 693.7i 6x9s with something warmer, and turn the fronts down.

Just replace the 693.7i 6x9s and don't hassle with an amp. Besides cost, running the power for it is something I'm not excited about doing.

Go with a four channel amp. Replace the 693.7i 6x9s. Dump the Infinity Kappa 60.7cs 6.5", and Infinity Kappa 42.7i 4". Put a 6.5" woofer in the lower door position, and the tweeter in the upper door position.

I notice that Crutchfield and Amazon now list Focals. The only 6x9 Focal makes are the Polyglass 690 CVX $350, and Access 690CA1 $250. Anyone running either of these? How would you describe them in the bright/warm range? Other comments?

 

Robin, I am a natural towards warm speaker type of guy and in all the listening I did and speaking with those into car audio Hertz High Energy or Mille speaker seems to be some of the best. Also try to find an amp that is powerful and laid back. That will help a lot in the sound.

I am having a set of High Energy's with a JL amp installed in my car on Monday. I will let you know what I think.

 

Looks like the Hertz speakers are only available through car audo installers.

Are JL speakers bright or warm? How about Focals?

 

Bright sounding speakers usually result from either tweeters made from poly anything (plastic) or mounting them in a way that they were not intended.

Look for a soft domed silk tweeter....and chose a mounting location that gives you the a decent offset sound pattern. The mini's mid location is fine.

I am a HUGE fan of the Image Dynamics Chameleon components. Maybe not as sexy as all the new trendy speaker lines...but for me they just plain sound good.

ID also gives you the option of mounting the tweeter right on top of the woofer...i would try that if i were you..gets the tweeter down lower and imaging is nice.

 

True but some installers will give you a good deal on them so you can install them yourself.

I know the Infinity's are super bright and somewhat harsh sounding. JL, Focal and Hertz all sounded smooth. The Focals sounded really good too but the Hertz or the same amount of money sounded slightly better.

 

How about dropping your frequencies going to the 6x9's? They are too bright because of the frequencies you are sending them. Almost any soundquality built car will only have at the highest a mid range ( with low power) in the rear because anything else will kill a soundstage. Woofers are the exceptoin to the rule if crossed over properly.

 

I'll have to call around to the car audio places in Monterey. Kar Tunes is the only one that has a web page, and doesn't seem to carry Hertz. Probably have to go up to Silicon Valley...

Anyone know anything about JL Evolution C2-690tx 6"x9" 3-way speakers? They have a 3/4" silk tweeter.

Also, what online dealers, besides Crutchfield, are reliable?

 

I just ordered CTX69 - Image Dynamics 6 x 9" 2 Way Speaker w/ Silk Tweeters at woofersetc.com. As far as I can tell, they are the coaxial version of the Chameleon. Price was $160. I hope this was a good choice.

They had a the XS-69 for $580, but that was more than I wanted to spend.

Edit: Just found CTX65CS - Image Dynamics 6.5" Component Speaker System on sale for $180 and decided to do the whole thing. I'll probably disconnect the 4" Kappa and leave it in place to seal the hole, or fill the hole with something else. Seems like it would be best to put the tweeters in the A-pillars, rather than in the 4" location. Thoughts on that?

 

I think you will be very happy, I am not sure if its the exact same tweeter as in the chamelion set...but i think it will be nice.

Maybe try the tweeter first in the mid location and if you find yourself not happy you can try moving it to the pillar. I personally have not found pillar mounted tweeters to sound all that great.

Can't wait to hear what you think....BTW..i asked eric stevens personally one night about these speakers and how he felt they sounded compared to the chamelions, and he said they wee abotu 95% of the sound for about a 1/3 the cost....

 

Thanks. Perhaps I wont put them in the A-pillars.

I've heard it said for various things that the last 10% of quality is the hardest to achieve, and most expensive. I'll probably be happy with 95%.