soundstream vs jl audio

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:21 am

wow does that mean my alternator sucks? Should I upgrade? Or should I get one of those external batteries that sit in the trunk...

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:32 am

Remember that adding another battery also takes a load off of your alternator

So you dont want to add a problem to fix a problem. I recommend you purchase a upgraded alternator and then add another battery then you cant go wrong.

Post by **AVICJR** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:34 am

http://phoenixphorum.com/proper-power-vt181.html

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:19 pm

With the amps you are running, dont worry about upgrading your alternator, you will be fine w/ 90 amps, not perfect, but you are at the point of diminishing returns...

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:35 pm

flogger11 wrote:With the amps you are running, dont worry about upgrading your alternator, you will be fine w/ 90 amps, not perfect, but you are at the point of diminishing returns...

I agree.

While not optimal either, I run a 60A alternator for my two amps + accessories and I've never had a light dim or seen my voltage gauge drop due to the amp draw.

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:43 pm

Ok well I guess the main thing I want to do then is the Big 3 upgrade and then also get a capacitor... 1 Farad.

Just noticed were so off topic from the original post... SORRY!

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:51 pm

If I were you and at the point you are at, I would look into buying a good pair of seperates, that would be your biggest improvment in your system... here are a couple links in the $300 range...

pros like your dad...

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fus ... ct_ID=1078

some eclipses like these would sound awesome!

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fus ... ct_ID=1147

a good deal on some quartz if you like hard dome tweets...

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fus ... ct_ID=6846

here is a great deal on some naks, however they may not work for you, kinda low power handling...

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fus ... ct_ID=1232

Im sure others have some recommendations too...

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:53 pm

So you are saying that I should already get rid of my rsd65cs components that I just got? Damn...

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:56 pm

deathcloud wrote:So you are saying that I should already get rid of my rsd65cs components that I just got? Damn...

Rather than upgrade your alternator or add a battery, yes.

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:58 pm

Damn... PHOENIX GOLD FOR LIFE! I will upgrade in like a year or so. I want to enjoy these speakers... but yea for sure. I think Illl upgrade to focal later on!

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:04 pm

deathcloud wrote:Damn... PHOENIX GOLD FOR LIFE! I will upgrade in like a year or so. I want to enjoy these speakers... but yea for sure. I think Illl upgrade to focal later on!

Listen to 'em before you "upgrade". I have a feeling you're gonna need to spend quite a chunk to get something with a big improvement overall (not just the ~300Hz range where the RSd are known to be somewhat lacking).

Post by **Bfowler** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:16 am

Of those speakers listed above...the nak's and eclipses WOULD NOT be an improvement at all over the RSD's. at all.

The Quarts....toss up
the Pros....more then 3x the cost of the RSD's

don't let the pricepoint fool you...the RSD line is no joke all around.

Post by **stipud** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:50 am

Flogger... come on, you haven't tried any RSD speakers or subs yet. You can't keep making substantive claims against them, if you've never even heard them before! Low price be damned; the RSDs sound GREAT. I think maybe YOU should get rid of your Polks and Treo and drop in RSD comps and an RSDC sub. I think you would be pleasantly surprised

Here are my opinions on the products listed, based on what I have heard...

I would consider Focal of all things to be the furthest thing from an upgrade compared to the RSDs. Unless you're forking out wads of cash for the top of the line models, they sound really harsh, lack low end, and the cones even deform (and they consider that NORMAL!?). Focal makes some of the best small midbasses, and their new amp lines are really exciting (though I have yet to audition one). I have never liked their comps though.

Boston makes some of the best speakers, with loads of good tech and desgin... yet they are very dry and flat sounding. Most people do not enjoy them. If you're the kind of person that likes to RTA your system flat, they are a perfect fit. Their LF sub range sounds great, I really enjoyed the 10" of that line.

MB Quart was bought out by Rockford, then Hifonics. Their older gear, I always thought had the best midrange of any speaker I have heard (tied with SEAS). They always lacked midbass, and the treble was a bit harsh, but I always found them much easier to control when compared to Focal for example. Consider auditioning some older pre-Hifonics Q-series components... they are the shit. Running Quarts actively is also very rewarding.

Eclipse has never made a speaker I have liked. I have always found them to be similar to Alpine's stuff, only not as good. I have not heard any automotive Nakamichi speakers, so I will reserve my judgement on them.

Speakers I would take over the RSDs would be along the lines of Morel, Dynaudio, Tymphany, Seas, etc. I figure, beyond what the RSDs give you out of box, you definitely hit diminishing returns. The price tends to ramp up exponentially with the name brand's upper car audio lines, and you really don't get what you pay for. As such, I would buy better single drivers instead, and run them actively. For example, Alpine F1 status equipment used Scanspeak Revelators. You can buy the single drivers for much cheaper than what the component set cost. Running them actively with good EQing would yield as-good or better results than buying them from Alpine.

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:56 am

Bfowler wrote:Of those speakers listed above...the nak's and eclipses WOULD NOT be an improvement at all over the RSD's. at all.

The Quarts....toss up
the Pros....more then 3x the cost of the RSD's

don't let the pricepoint fool you...the RSD line is no joke all around.

Here is the test, they are good for the price, thats for sure, however I have my doubts about them running w/ the Nakamichi's... my SP65C's were one of the best sounding speaker I have ever owned.

http://www.caraudiomag.com/reviews/cae_ ... index.html

Post by **Bfowler** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:37 am

I have that issue

thats the same issue where the Rainbow component set (with a retail tag of $550) scored only a 68 (to the RSD's 77)

in fact, in that whole issue the RSD's placed 3rd behind the Morel Supremo and the HErtz (both of which push close to $1000)

as Stipud stated...there are better sets then the RSD out there for sure, but you start hitting a very steep wall of diminishing return.

flogger11 · Post by **flogger11** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:36 pm

Bfowler wrote:I have that issue

thats the same issue where the Rainbow component set (with a retail tag of $550) scored only a 68 (to the RSD's 77)

in fact, in that whole issue the RSD's placed 3rd behind the Morel Supremo and the HErtz (both of which push close to $1000)

as Stipud stated...there are better sets then the RSD out there for sure, but you start hitting a very steep wall of diminishing return.

Hmmm, judging from the VERY strong response, perhaps I am mistaken and need to take a set of these for a listen. I have a friend (see "custom" ie crappy installs) that is looking for a cheap~ er, inexpensive pair of seps. Perhaps I can talk him into the PG's as you can get them for around $100, well within his budget! Then I can listen and hopefully jump on board with the rest of you...

Post by **AVICJR** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:03 pm

^^^If I had an extra Xenon amp I would send it to you also so you and the others that you claimed didn't like them could squash the Xenon prejudice.

nick-caper · Post by **nick-caper** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:24 pm

Hey. U said you have a Mazda 3?
I can help u with the install. I had that car. Look up my installs. They dont handle 6.5's They can take 5x7 or 5.25's at most..
And about the 14.4volt required to get all the wattage out of the amp.. LOL Shoulda went with JL...You wont get 14.4v out the Mazda. So that means you wont get all the watts out that PG amp..
Send me a message if you need to advice. I had that car and I know what RSD sounds like in it.

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:27 pm

nick-caper wrote:Hey. U said you have a Mazda 3?
I can help u with the install. I had that car. Look up my installs. They dont handle 6.5's They can take 5x7 or 5.25's at most..
And about the 14.4volt required to get all the wattage out of the amp.. LOL Shoulda went with JL...You wont get 14.4v out the Mazda. So that means you wont get all the watts out that PG amp..
Send me a message if you need to advice. I had that car and I know what RSD sounds like in it.

What do the RSd comps sound like in it?

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:44 pm

Yea tell me? I think they sound great. Hella loud and shit...

Audiophiliac · Post by **Audiophiliac** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:38 am

I cant say I am a huge fan of JL amps, although they perform well, sound good, and are workhorses. But they are on TOP of subwoofer development and production. We recently became a dealer for their home theater products and have a Gotham in the store for the moment (its already sold). All I can say is its the best subwoofer I have heard...period. 4" peak to peak excursion and a gob of clean power. They beefed up the motor on the W7 and made a few other tweaks for the HT applications and its a beast. The thing plays annoyingly low and loud and starts and stops on a dime. Very musical sub when called for. And it moves some air!

I also had a microsub 8.2 in my car once and loved it.

Post by **stipud** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:57 am

nick-caper wrote:And about the 14.4volt required to get all the wattage out of the amp.. LOL Shoulda went with JL...You wont get 14.4v out the Mazda. So that means you wont get all the watts out that PG amp..

What the hell is this about?

JL amps make the same power from 11-14v, because they are limited to the amount of power they produce at 11v, just like the old PPI amps. They will not produce any more power, even if you give it more. This is why the amps have no headroom... it has extremely strict regulated powersupply and outputs.

Will the PG amp reduce output with less input voltage? Yes, but it's a negligible difference. PG's 12 volt ratings are "cheater", and definitely not accurate at all. I've tested all of my PG amps to produce full output at 12v... 14v just gives you more headroom.

deathcloud · Post by **deathcloud** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:55 am

Its funny because my installer after hearing my system now is going to purchase the phoenix gold rsd65cs for his car now hahaha. I was like YES I turned someone else to PG. I'm giving him my infinity 7541A 4 channel amp and getting my Ti 400.2 to power my components. I hope I hear and can tell a difference from my old infinity amp to the Ti 400.2 amp.