Anyone have any recommendations, or know of any places in Houston that I can compare the components side by side?

I'm looking at getting the Hex line in the Diamond, or the Utopia line in the Focals. I currently have the DSD216's and they are a bit bright for my taste, and from what I hear the Focals and the Diamonds are more 'mellow' and not as 'screechy/shrilling' as the Quartz

Mike,
When you listened to my speakers the other day, they made a rattling noise. I don't know if it's just the way they are mounted, or if actually one of them is blown (could be possible?). What are your thoughts??

 

I have not heard Diamond speakers, but I have heard Focals and in my opinion they much wosre than Quartz. The higher up you go in the Quartz line the better they sound!!

If the Quartz are a bit to bright. Try installing a eq to drop down the db a little. That might help you.

Just my .02

Matthew

 

I would lean towards the Focal's if you are going to get the Utopia. I have a friend with diamonds that sound great but I can't remember what they were.

 

I've compared the Focal Utopia and Polykevlar series to the Diamond Audio and Boston Acoustics Pro series. (I'm not sure which Diamonds they were but they were like $650-$700/pair I think). I've owned the BA Pro Series so it was a good baseline to compare against. I liked the Bostons when I owned them but, like you, decided I don't want such a bright speaker...it gets fatigueing after a little while. In my comparison, I liked the Utopias the best. The Polykevlars were, to me, on the bright side but not bad. The diamonds where the brightest and I didn't like them at all. After about 15 seconds of listening, I wanted to go back to the more natural sound of the Utopias. In the end, I ended up going with Dynaudios. They are an incredible sounding speaker and it helped that I have a connection that was able to get them for me for cost.

The only MBQuarts I've liked are the Q series? but those are a bit pricey at $1400/pair.

Just my $0.02

 

These are the speakers I bought. I just made sure on the Tweeter for the crossover that came with the speakers that I set the Tweeter to -6, from the factory of 0.

Take a look into the new Q Series.

 

I only paid $700 for my MB Quart Q. I agree $1400 to a bit to much, but for $700 I could not pass up this great sounding speaker!

Matthew

 

I agree with the 1400 bucks, I got mine on ebay for 595. Go take a look. Can't go wrong for these speakers.

There are places here in NJ that have the speakers setup to listen to. Didn't read you location in the thread before.

 

I'd go Focal Utopia over any of these speakers HANDS DOWN. It also depends on the amp you have them running off of, how everything is wired, etc etc. I have both the Utopia 165w's and 136w's IN STOCK if you are interested.

 

I would also give the following a listen:

CDT Audio
Rainbow
Dynaudio
Helix Performance
Audio Development

 

Johnny,
Huh? You didn't listen to your speakers in my car (I have DSD216 too)? I dont have any problem at all. I really think my EQ does a better job customizing the music than yours. I messed around with yours a bit and didn't notice any change

 

What?? Do you really think so?? Too bad everything is so perfect in the car..or else I would think we should try that other EQ you have

 

Perfect?
I thought you said you wanted to reinstall the whole system with that the PD4 or something OEM-Aftermarket interface

 

Oops.....that was me that posted up top as 962.5TL....like I said, I'd go with focal utopias, hands down.....neil mentioned a few, including one I REALLY like....RAINBOW!

 

Now all I haveto do is find a location with all these speakers hooked up and ready to sample, and then i'd be set

But damnit I don't think anyone sells, or distributed all of them

 

For what it's worth I agree with Ron (streeteffectz) here...Focal's or Rainbow...I just can't seem to find enough money for something like Rainbow

Austin519

 

True....I have the QM "Q" series and agree. The DSDs do not have the rubber surround tweeter, so they are harsher than the Q or PSDs. Also, they don't have the crossover that allows you to adjust the tweeter output. If you or anyone is interested, I can probably get a couple more sets of QSDs for $700-$800 and QMs for arond $400-450. I can get alot of stuff at cost because a friend works at a shop.

 

4DR Assassin:
What shop and what city? I may swing by and say hi

Austin519

 

Diamond ownz you.

 

 

Ive heard the focal utopias, rainbow pros, and dynaudios. After giving it much thought it would be a hard decision between the pros and utopias. Def listen to these sets before you buy.

 

I'm in Dallas. I can't say the name because don't want to ruin my hook up. Basically I gave my friend the money and he buys the stuff for me. Shoot me an email if you want anything and I'll check on prices for you. My folks live in Austin so I'm down there every so often.