I'm juggling with which splits are better. I'm deciding between the JL Audio VR600CSI - http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/car-sound/c...r-system/435725 and Focal PolyKevlar 165k2.

I'd like to weigh up the pros/cons of each to determine which is better. What comes to mind is that the focal splits are 5 yrs old and second hand. Both are around the same price.

Go with the newer JL Audios with warranty...

I had DLS Nobeliums that were hand crafted and worth $2.2K 2 years ago, and one of the drivers failed for no reason. When the driver was dissembled there was no burning evident on the voice coil or any other defects from misuse...

So my point is even though Focal is a better brand but being 5 years old no matter how well they have been looked doesn't mean much..

JL Audio mate !!!

Have you listened to either set? Both are very good brands. I would imagine the Focal would have been quiet high end in their day if they're worth that much 2nd hand.

5 year old 165k2s are not worth alot, i would pay maybe $200 - $250 any more and your getting ripped off, unless you know the history of then and that they were not sent excessivly gained signals or watts.

Get the new JLs man but have a listen 1st. I had a set of alpine type r before i had those JLs and they had alot more mid bass (i managed to pop a tweeter with the JLs and the Alpines though) so go listen to a few sets at your nearest audio shop :)

Sounds like you need change to an active set up (if you haven't already). My guess is you're overpowering them.

Most of the lads on the NZICE forums don't rate Alpine speakers other than their subs. Pity we don't get much JL over hear. Just a few subs & amps.
Have you looked at/listened to other brands like DLS & Rainbow?

Yeh that was all im my last car, i will be getting nicer speakers when i do the Lexus

Possibly something not intended for a car...

Go with the JL gear.

If the focal gear was new Id say go with that but you never know with second hand audio untill you listen to them. In some cases the sound actually gets better with time as in the case with the utopia bee series ect. But with these when the voice coil ages it looses its sharpness and response esp when they get pushed hard with loud basey tunes all the "b" boys and "fly" girls listen to these days (rock on tripleJ).

Oh yea run an active setup which was mentioned earlyer, no point spending all this money on sound when you would be better of running coaxils...

Exactly ;) Well put.

Got a set of JL ZR650's and I am very happy with them besides havingtroubles fitting the monster Xover under the door card lol.

Hey E910, which DLS splits do you recommend? Cartoys are currently running a great sale off all DLS gear. I'm not sure if i can post the link here so moderators just let me know if i need to remove the link - http://www.cartoys.com.au/products/Speaker...px?Category=167 - its very obscure but at the moment you can see there are 3 pages of speakers.

How are DLS in terms of their amps?

I will be looking at a pair of Hertz HSK165's tomorrow.

If all else fails and I resort to the JL/focals. I shall get the JL's. Thanks all.

I also got a message on another forum which i posted a similar question. A dealer offered me Audio Development 6 splits at a members deal. Has anyone heard or tried this brand, and in particular, these splits? The specs for them are found here - http://www.xmplar.com.au/PDF/INCAR%20-%20AD6.pdf

What do you guys think of them?

That narrows my list to JL Audio VR600CSI , Hertz HKS165, DLS (awaiting recommendations from E910) and the Audio Development 6. Decisions decisions...

Well dude Im running the DLS A3 & A4 ultimate amps, and have had no probems but as stated previously the DLS Nobelium 6.2 splits failed after 2 years of normal use...

I have heard good reports of the DLS iridiums which are a lot cheaper..

Unfortunately, the DLS Nobeliums and Iridiums are out of my price range :(

I've had a further look around. Has anyone heard anything or experienced VDO Dayton MSP-1700 or Digital Design DDC6.5.

I couldnt find anything on google relating to the VDO splits.

And the review on the Audio Development 6 splits intrigue me. I posted the review above. No one hear has heard anything about them??

Also, I wouldnt be able to go out and listen to these splits. They're all 2nd hand components.

Allot of people on MEA like the DD splits, the can handle alot of RMS but i have never listened to a set.

Never heard of the VDOs


EDIT: i know where you can get the DDs for under $200 new hit me up if you are interested

I've found them on ddaudiodirect.com.au for $172 + $20 postage =D. Thanks for the insight! I'm swaying towards them too.

Thats the place, good good speakers that are suposed to cope a lot of abuse, heaps cheeper now that DD is doing their own importing/sales

I've read that too. Only question that comes to mind is whether they are actually better than the stock fronts?
I'm a big believer of 'you get what you pay for', and for $172 I'm not sure whether they will noticeably be better than the stocks.

mate the stock fronts are SHIT, cardboard sanyos! seriously a waste of space.

Sanyo? Really? Altezza's seem to come with either toyota or fujitsu ten branded fronts


I've got an Alpine MRV-F405 bridged running my factory splits at the moment. They're taking the beating quiet well. Sound way better than the Pioneer co-axles I put in the mrs car.

Heard mixed reviews on the cheap DD like the C6.2 They wont take much abuse & the metal tweeter can be a bit bright for some. Have a listen to them in a comparator first though. You'd hope they're better than OE though

I think you would be suprised with the HSK-165

I literally installed hundreds of pairs of these. Never had a failure with anything from Hertz/Morel

Were/are always a great value speaker. Deep Baskets, but will fit in your 200.

I heard a pair of those DD splits last week and was pretty impressed, they know how to make woofers, just wasnt sure on components.....

at the $200 you were looking at wouldnt that be more ESK165 range?

Thats a shame Jekyl, i used to be the only reseller of DLS in Vic and I only had one Magnesium Woofer come back in the 3 years of installing and selling. So that really is a shame. But i have heard failures from every brand so its just the luck of the draw really.

It was mentioned before, but stay clear of metal/hard dome tweeters, especially being mounted up high in your door sails they will tear your head off.

I actually went with the ESK 165 =D Also got a pair of Rockford fosgate p163c's for the rear. Waiting for them to arrive. The only problem I have right now is trying to figure out how to install a new headunit so that the factory sat nav continues to operate.

Great set of splits, easy to install, should be pretty good listening ahead.