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Focal Kevlar series speaker upgrade

Discussion in 'VE Holden Commodore (2006 - 2013)' started by TraidMarc, Sep 20, 2011.

  1. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    About to get a audio upgrade,after listening to speakers at the car audio place, I have settled on this set up:

    Focal 165KR Splits up front
    Focal 165KRC coax in back
    Focal 10inch sub in Focal ported box, decided on this as I don't need HUGE bass but the 10 is tight and takes up little room or is easy to remove when I have the car packed with my band gear
    Focal FP 5.500 5 channel amp under the passenger seat 4x75w RMS + 1x300w RMS(for the sub)
    Focal sound deadening mat

    I have been quoted $2900 installed

    Does anyone have a similar set up(same speakers at least) and are the happy with the installed sound?
     
  2. wraith

    wraith Hand over the dog bikkies

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    Focal is a good brand. If you like that stick with it. Guaranteed every body will come in with their own opinion and tell you not to get Focal and to get xyz brand though. Is it possible to get a break down of the individual prices though?
     
  3. OFF T4P

    OFF T4P Donating Member

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    i have them splits in my cruiser. Very good quality sound.
     
  4. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    I will try to get back with the actual break down, I had it on a piece of paper........but he is going to email me it.
     
  5. Hsv is king

    Hsv is king New Member

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    i have these splits in my car they sound very good and clear, one thing to consider is the sub size i started with a 10 inch sub it sounded ok good but not great ( sub was an id10) but then got a 12 inch installed much happier with the sound much fuller bass as a 10 inch as more punchier bass in my opinion and it did not take up much more room in the boot than the 10 inch.

    I would listen to bit the 10 inch and the 12 inch if you can also if the budget allows it consider a bitone they make a huge difference to the sound.

    but it all personal preference
     
  6. Blockab

    Blockab R8WAGZ

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    hey mate just wonderin where this quote was from im keen on a similar setup i love the focals and how is it going to be connected either via LOC's or via the hi inputs on the amp.

    Cheers
     
  7. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    I like the punchier bass, its a matter of taste but from my experience in bands if you ask a drummer how they want there kick drum to sound it is that tight thump, so to me that's how the system should play, of course that is just my theory, it obviously depends on what kind of music you listen to, but I'm sort of 80's 90's rock so it suits that.

    I will have to look int bitone is that a brand?
     
  8. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    He didn't mention LOC's and I have the same question actually so I will find out, but I think the Focal amp uses the Hi inputs. the quote was from Oak Flats electronics. I should be able to put up a break down of the price later today or tomorrow
     
  9. StoneX

    StoneX New Member

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    When buying cheap arse subs then a 10" might be more "punchy" than it's 12" equivalent model. But with decent subs and the correct box a 12", even a 15", can be as responsive as a 10" but have more output and play lower bass.
     
  10. OFF T4P

    OFF T4P Donating Member

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    Go with 2 x 10" rockford p3's. Very punchy and tight
     
  11. Blockab

    Blockab R8WAGZ

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    Cheers TraidMarc, yeah i thought so cause i have been looking at Focal components the past few days and the set up you have put down is what i was looking at for my Ute so the breakdown would be greatly appreciated.
     
  12. VY Rossi

    VY Rossi New Member

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    Im running focal access series in my ss with dual focal amps (solid 1 and solid 4) 2 focal 10inch subs focal 165 access spilts and focal 165 access components with an eclipse head unit unreal sound quality and its clear as when its loud with no destortion thats with both metal and dance music. I honestly cant fault the focal gear
     
  13. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    I kind of get what your saying, like I get your philosophy, I well made 15 or 12 with a decent magnet is going to be as responsive as a cheap 10. But I am going with a reasonably priced 10 or i may actually change that to a more expensive 10, or 2 10's. I don't listen to techno or DJ stuff so I don't need something to play ultra low frequencies. In general in a PA system if you run 15 inch mids you run 18 inch subs and most bass players use a rig of 4X10's and they are playing bass......so if you look at it that way, and I do, I will be running a system of 4X6.5" mids, ie the speakers in the doors, and one 10" sub. I am not after huge decibels for the kids to enjoy, just a sound system that reproduces rock music as the producer intended it to sound, and sometimes the music I listen to, the producer is myself so just going for what I think will suit my type of music.
     
  14. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    You beat me 2 it, if I change my plan at all it would be to add another 10" but I will still go the Focal, I like to keep everything the same!!! But the 5 channel amp is discreet under the seat so one will do for now, and I may add another sub later with a dedicated amp for the 2 10's.
     
  15. wraith

    wraith Hand over the dog bikkies

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    Focal subs are ok but I would take a rockford any day. Sold quite a few Focal speaker Rockford sub packages.
     
  16. OFF T4P

    OFF T4P Donating Member

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    if you got a lazy couple of grand buy a rockford t2 10" . lol . they are wicked, seen one in a display at autobarn in cairns a while back like $1600. 2 or even 1 focal sub will give you what your looking for.
     
  17. Hsv is king

    Hsv is king New Member

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    in regards to the bit one.The manufacturer is Audison and the bit one is the model

    If you are looking at it i t would most likley set you back about 1k

    The link to the bit one page Audison - Music Expression
     
  18. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    Cheers. The guy at the shop did mention signal processors but we never actually got around to talking about them in the end. But yes now I have had a look at the Bit one info, very keen actually. It's a pity Behringer doesn't do car audio, they have some great DSP stuff for PA's at great prices, some people regard Behringer as being cheap ****, but I swear by some of my Behringer gear, Cheap yes, **** not....
    This Bit one seems to be the bees knees... I really love my music, and I think I am going to have to add it to my order!!!!
     
  19. TraidMarc

    TraidMarc Donating Member

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    upgrade upgraded

    Well I have read a really good article Mobile Electronics AU | Articles | Alpine PXA-H800 vs Audison BitOne Processors Compared
    And now I am set on the bit one, I haven't upgraded a car stereo for along time and didn't realise that this stuff was available for the car, but I should have known better!!!!
    Anyway talked to the audio place and they are getting back to me on the price, I have also upgraded the sub to a Focal 11" 27KX
    So Know the system will be:
    Focal 165KR Splits up front
    Focal 165KRC coax in back
    Focal 11" 27KX sub in Focal ported box,
    Focal FPP 5300 5 channel amp
    Audison Bit one
    Focal sound deadening mat

    Price...........my guess is it will be around $4500 I will blame HSV is King for that at the moment, but probably thank him later!!!!!
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2011
  20. wraith

    wraith Hand over the dog bikkies

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    I wouldn't rule out a Rockford sub mate. I wasn't that impressed with Focals subs to be honest.
     

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