My system installed now, was Focal
PC165 in the rear (2-ways) and
PS165 in the front (splits or "co-axial"). These are
award winning, but entry-level for a particularly good brand.
Like I said, $870 installed. Probably take a novice four hours to install it yourself, but someone experience takes about two probably. I paid them.
No amp.
They also disabled the centre-mounted dash speaker because it sounds crap leaving it on. Satnav voice-over comes from my front-right speaker.
So how's it sound?
I have a pretty good ear. I can
clearly hear the difference in treble, it's a very big improvement. Midrange I can't pick it. Bass is much more defined too. Overall sound quality is markedly better, more crisp, better definition, and not muddy anymore.
It is no louder, though, you need an amp for that.
But I'm really happy. It's just what I wanted.
The installers, Druery in Dee Why, said it really needed an amp to get the
most out of the speakers (and they're right), but that doesn't mean they are
required for the sound to have improved. If I'd spent another say $600 for a quality amp, it'd be much louder and the bass even richer. You can just keep spending money on audio, like anything.