Mb Quart QSD-216 imaging

[ShockTherapy]

Hi everyone. I recently installed my Q-series tweeters in my a-pillars of my 99 Chevy Silverado. The problem I'm having is imaging... it just seems off. I heard something in another post about phasing and stuff like that. Can anyone give me a hand with this? I'm running the components off the front 2 channels of an Arc Audio 4150CXLR.

by the way... I followed the instructions on the phorum on how to set your gains using a dmm and the results were fantastic! My components have never been so loud and clear with very detailed midbass.

Back to the issue. would switching the phase of one of the tweeters change things? the sound is unbelievably clear but it doesn't seem to have imaging. Helpabruthaout

[davewaibel]

set the crossover to -6db- changing one of the tweeters phase is not going to help- obvious question are they wired correctly in the first place?

[Bfowler]

i disagree, its worth trying switch the phase!

[ttocs]

best sounding, best looking best value?????

[ShockTherapy]

set the crossover to -6db- changing one of the tweeters phase is not going to help- obvious question are they wired correctly in the first place?

Yes... They are wired correctly. I set the crossovers to -6db upon installation. and changing the phase of one of the tweeters does make a HUGE difference in some setups. Here is the post that I was referring to...

http://phoenixphorum.com/basic-system-a ... vt180.html

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[ShockTherapy]

best sounding, best looking best value?????

Not sure if I understand your comment?

[andy600rr]

best sounding, best looking best value?????

Not sure if I understand your comment?

WELL, for some reason this post is set up as a poll asking 'Which series of PPI amp is the best'.

????????????

[ShockTherapy]

best sounding, best looking best value?????

Not sure if I understand your comment?

WELL, for some reason this post is set up as a poll asking 'Which series of PPI amp is the best'.

????????????

Ohh! I'm sorry. The post was me trying to get help with an imaging issue with my frontstage. I added the pole just for fun. but yeh... all around best quality of the PPI old school stuff.

[Txsaxkat]

I recently got a pcx 2125 and it sounds good and clean but to me the highs sound a little compressed compared to my ms 250 and also a zapco 350 I was wondering if this was a common thing with the ppi stuff this is my first stab at ppi amps. So after saying this I know the arc amps are really good stuff but all the different brands seem to have some sonic differences in them.

Jimmie

[smgreen20]

I'm not very familiar w/the Q series tweets as much as the RSD series. I don't even recall if they're an on axis/off axis tweet.

I still have the same issue as you. I have good staging, but my imaging is a bit off. It's there, but not what it should be. I haven;t had the time, nor the desire in the cold, to start switching the phase of my speakers (3-way set up), but for now the best I have gotten in this truck is by aiming at the rear view mirror.

I'm looking at getting the Eclipse 3-way set, but lack the funds as when I get my grandmas estate $$ I'm getting 2 new PG Ti amps. As well, I'm thinking of putting the PG Elite6 (2-way) set back in. I'm undecided.

The best bet for us/our truck type is to get a tweet w/a good off axis response. Other then that, take the time to try xover slopes and phase together.

[ShockTherapy]

I'm not very familiar w/the Q series tweets as much as the RSD series. I don't even recall if they're an on axis/off axis tweet.

I still have the same issue as you. I have good staging, but my imaging is a bit off. It's there, but not what it should be. I haven;t had the time, nor the desire in the cold, to start switching the phase of my speakers (3-way set up), but for now the best I have gotten in this truck is by aiming at the rear view mirror.

I'm looking at getting the Eclipse 3-way set, but lack the funds as when I get my grandmas estate $$ I'm getting 2 new PG Ti amps. As well, I'm thinking of putting the PG Elite6 (2-way) set back in. I'm undecided.

The best bet for us/our truck type is to get a tweet w/a good off axis response. Other then that, take the time to try xover slopes and phase together.

How are the TI Elite seperates? I've heard people talk about how they are made by Morel and that they compare very closely to the Morel Elate set. The Quarts are becoming a little harsh for my ears. As a person gets older the hearing changes as well as the tastes in music and sound. I'm strongly considering something with a silk dome or soft dome of some sort. I can get a used TI set on eBay for around 250. and i already have someone who would buy my Quarts for $300 so it would be a wash. let me know what you think.

[kg1961]

Quarts tweeter have alway been harsh. I have always used them back in 1994-2002 and had to put some speaker grill cloth over them to tone them down a bit
how much power do you have running to them? The pg TI's are way more power hungry than the MB's. The Ti's you have to make sure that they are not used they loss allot of the bass sound when used hard (problem with the magnets design). I was going to buy them last year and got the heads up. That why I went Focal very very clean easy to use good mid bass the tweeter is not harsh in my mind.
I have a set for sale right now as I did stay with Focal just a older set NIB

http://phoenixphorum.com/fs-or-trade-fo ... 12942.html

$250 shipped in the usa

[Eric D]

The Quart tweeters have a phase plug over the top of them. It is the plastic bridge which looks like a 5-spoke wheel. I have been told by competitors, and people within the company, if your having issues getting them to sound right, you should cut the phase plug off the tweeter. This would fully expose the dome of the tweeter.

Now I personally have Quart speakers, and I don't have the balls to cut the phase plug off. Once you do, good luck selling them in the future. But, then again, if they were going in a car I planned on keeping them in permanently, I would probably have it in me to cut it off.

[smgreen20]

I need to correct what I said. I had it backwards. My imaging is spot on, it's the staging that's a pinch off.

The Elite6's will do very nicely w/plenty of power and the mids prefer a sealed enclosure. When in the enclosure they'll play low enough. I believe I read that the tweets are on off axis tweet. The Elite line, as far as I'm concerned, IS the Elate line.

Are you running active or passive on the Qs? Either way, try active w/a lower xover point. I read in the newer lines they helped tame the harshness of the Quart tweet by x-ing them over lower~ 2,000 Hz area.

The original founders of Quart started anew under the name German Maestro and it's back to the good 'ol days for them.

http://www.german-maestro.de/US/products.htm

[ShockTherapy]

I need to correct what I said. I had it backwards. My imaging is spot on, it's the staging that's a pinch off.

The Elite6's will do very nicely w/plenty of power and the mids prefer a sealed enclosure. When in the enclosure they'll play low enough. I believe I read that the tweets are on off axis tweet. The Elite line, as far as I'm concerned, IS the Elate line.

Are you running active or passive on the Qs? Either way, try active w/a lower xover point. I read in the newer lines they helped tame the harshness of the Quart tweet by x-ing them over lower~ 2,000 Hz area.

The original founders of Quart started anew under the name German Maestro and it's back to the good 'ol days for them.

http://www.german-maestro.de/US/products.htm

I ended up installing the QTD-25 tweeters in the upper corners of the doors. I used the angle flush mount that makes these sort of directional. I aimed them upward and towards the center of the roof of the cabin. The sound improved 100% and I got rid of those reflections coming from the dash and windshield. My new enclosure for the 2 xxls subs ships tomorrow. I had it built to have (2) 1.2cuft sealed enclosures... This should be optimal for the subs. I should get it in around a week and I will post pics of it installed. People are looking for good quality enclosures for the silverados... hopefully this will give them something to reference.

Here's a pic of the door panel of the Silverado...

[kg1961]

very very nice i have to say

[smgreen20]

Good color match on the tweets. I had mine there too, hated the imaging.

I found a set of speakers on ebay that I've been looking for for years and they finally popped up. Clarions SSS601. I'm watching them. Doubt I'll have the $$ to get them before auctions end.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CLARION-6-5-COMPONE ... 500wt_1101

[kg1961]

smgreen i know where there is 4 set of those in calgary i think his price right now is 240 cnd for them i could call to see if i could get a better price!! i know the owner
nib
let me know if you want me to call
i was looking at them before focal very nice sounding and great price

[twisted]

how do yo ulike your Q series? i have had the same set for a few years now and im pretty happy with them, if the tweeters are too harsh put a piece of silk in the grille and it will tone them down nicley.

[ShockTherapy]

Good color match on the tweets. I had mine there too, hated the imaging.

I found a set of speakers on ebay that I've been looking for for years and they finally popped up. Clarions SSS601. I'm watching them. Doubt I'll have the $$ to get them before auctions end.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CLARION-6-5-COMPONE ... 500wt_1101

That sucks that the imaging sucked in this spot for you. for me it eliminates the harshness of the tweeter and eliminates the reflections. Quart speakers need to be off axis to perform in my opinion. I'm pretty happy with the placement... I think it looks good and gives me a nice transparent feel to the frontstage. thanks for all your help man!

[ShockTherapy]

very very nice i have to say

Thank you! It's amazing how well the SEM colormatch paint matches oem. I know that it is made to match but I've had some pretty bad experiences when it comes to paint. The stuff is very flexible and looks great.

[ShockTherapy]

how do yo ulike your Q series? i have had the same set for a few years now and im pretty happy with them, if the tweeters are too harsh put a piece of silk in the grille and it will tone them down nicley.

I like the Quarts but to be honest as time goes by I realize that they are a VERY poor value for the money. I got mine for super cheap so it's ok but if I paid retail I would feel like I got duped. The crossover networks are truly top notch as well as the QTD-25 tweeter... Although I feel that if Quart would have implemented a silk dome tweeter into the Q-series line it would have changed everything. The midrange does not impress me. Compare the mid to a Utopia mid or a Hybrid Audio mid and it truly falls short in build quality. I've learned that manufacturers tend to spend less money on the mid and more on the tweeters and crossovers. You need a midrange that will play higher than normal... trust me, you'll know what I mean if you heard it. I'm strongly considering going with Hybrid Audio or CDT to replace my Quarts. I have found a mint set of Boston Z6 components for $250 from a friend. I've heard good reviews but I need to hear them for myself.

[twisted]

i agree with you on the midrange output on these, i am considering swaping my mids for my rsd mids but i absolutley love the xover, very well built and the tweeters are better since they have been covered in silk.

i too got mine extremly cheap, if i paid retail or even close to that i would be dissatisfied but for the 150 mine cost new i can complain.

[smgreen20]

Anytime, just yell.


A guy I know runs Hybrid Audio, I loved the sound. Wouldn't mind a set myself but for the $$.

[ShockTherapy]

Anytime, just yell.


A guy I know runs Hybrid Audio, I loved the sound. Wouldn't mind a set myself but for the $$.

I was considering Hybrid Audio but the price might be a little steep for me. I've decied once and for all to replace the QSD components. The tweeter gives me a headache. I've tried every angle, every on axis and off axis position and they are fatigueing to my ears. I will be selling them if anyone is interested.

After auditioning multiple sets I have decided on the Alpine SPX-17PRO components. I got them for $300 shipped and they seem to have the sound and flexibility that I'm looking for. The tweeter is a ring-radiator tweeter that I hear is a version of the Scanspeak revelators. These come with these modules to adjust the crossovers for different mounting distances between the drivers. I'm pretty stoked to get them in... they sounded incredible in the showroom... I hope they sound great in my truck. Here are a few pics...