I have the QSDs with the stock HU. I'm in agreement that the tweeters are bright, but it should soften out a bit after a few months. Not saying that they won't be bright anymore, they are still bright. Fixes will be to switch out the stock HU with an aftermarket with decent EQ settings to control this or go with an external EQ box to fine tune the settings. I am very happy with my QSDs and have no complaints. I'm aware of my system's shortcomings and am researching on a HU to get. So far, the '06 Alpine lineup seems lacking. I'm leaning towards the new Pioneer lineup for features and pricing, but we'll see when they are available.

I also like Focals. The tweets are mellower and softer and sounded great with ballads and classical music. My friend has a pair of Focal polyglass comps and they sound great. He did try to switch to a CDT set, but it didn't sound as good as the Focals so he switched them back.

If you want more passive control over the tweets, you can biamp the components with the crossovers that come with the QSDs. Not sure about the PCEs. You can set different settings for the tweeter and woofer independantly and tune it that way.

Bottom line is that all components in a system MUST be fine tuned to sound properly in your car. Wether through proper installation, setup, or product, they can all be tuned to sound great. Anybody that says "Drop this in and your golden." is lying to you.

 

I would have to disagree. 99% of the time EQs simply fix a problem that is being generated elsewhere. I find it odd that you should have to "fix" the brightness of a component set by using an EQ. You should not have purchased a "bright" component set if you don't like that sound... rather than buy one and try and "fix" it with an EQ (be it an EQ in an aftermarket HU or a standalone EQ).

I feel the only adjustments that should be made once you drop in a properly selected and installed comp. set is to the crossover settings. This way you are optimizing each piece in your system, but you aren't "fixing" anything.

 

Because each model car is very different shaped and contains different interiors I would not expect speakers to sound the same in different cars. I would think an EQ is the easiest fix. Whether it is a parametric or standard w/enough bands, still need some way to make up for items such as more or different angles glass increases brightness, shape of the cavity of the vehicle for bass roll off and any other effect.

Some of these items could be be fixed by different brands . Using MB Q for cars/vans that are heavey w/fabric interiors (remember the "sin bins" from the 70's w/**** carpert everywhere and no windows?) or same vehicle w/leather compared to stiff vinyl interiors?

There is a large amounty of tailoring by Xover points and phasing (mainly tweeters) but where can you try 10 different brands in YOUR car and not pay to install all 10? I don't think El D likes to work for free...

Anyway I guess I am saying never say never and what ever works use it

Mark

 

So are you saying that our interiors should use a softer sounding speaker?

 

My statement was a general about EQs and how cars are different. In our carseven the coupe is different than the sedan.

Largest variable of all is your own ears. theere is no 100% correct answer . I have 1 friend that does know when I change speakers it sounds the same to him, cheaper =better. Myself, I notice, I am not a cheap date unfortuneatly.

The best thing I can think of doing is sittring in as many cars such as ours you can find. Maybe you are in a local club??? and audition their systems. If it sounds good DUPLICATE it all the way to the wire brands.

I would think priority to replicate would be
Speakers (including location and cabinets!)
Head Unit
Installation quality
Amps
Accessories

This is open to interpetation

Mark

 

My rule of thumb is that an EQ is literally the last thing to buy, in that you should focus first on the voicing of the speakers you choose, before trying to force them to sound diffferent.

Most people's use of an EQ is really abuse from a sound quality perspective. That's why I'm picking up Zapco Digital Reference, the DSP chip can be set for the car and then the user can't screw it up

P.S. my install manager has a three way Quart set in one car. He got a nice PG trunk mount EQ to try to tame those tweeters, and it still never got to where he liked it fully. He's upgrading to DLS if he keeps that car...

 

To answer your question is I installed both of the system. No LOCs involved all tapped before the bose amp, actually both stock bose amps are ripped out and throw in the trash. And directly connect to the aftermarket amps, suppose u call that balanced out inputs right?

And i have decided to replace my MB quarts with the edi6500s, the reason is that it fits my buget better than DLS UP6. And it is also a safe move since i havent heard the DLS myself.

I will post the results up in a few days about the edi6500s, since they are coming in tomorrow.

 

I have just finished on the speaker install. First impression the imaging is alot better, midbass is a lot better, and much clearer than the old MB Quart PCE-216.

I am very happy with this upgrade. Even the MSRP of the MB Quart is much more expensive same price on ebay, the Elemental Design is clearly much better for my taste.

It took me 1 night to install these new set of speakers, I took my time cleaning up the messy install i had before, and fix all the rattles too with foam tape.

 

Now after the edi6500s has broken in, the midbass is a lot stronger, imaging is a lot better. the midbass on the doors are so strong that i might condisder not getting the JL250/1 seems like the 300/4 is just enough power the edi6500s and ID10 V.3 . by no means its cheast pounding bass but seems ok for now. still deciding should i go through all the hassel adding a JL 250/1 and i will lose the fold down seats as well but it looks cool that way haha...

 

lose, not loose

 

sorry for the terrible english, i was so sleepy.