plz rank these coaxials

[stockert]

I guess I've been putting it off, buying some 5 1/4's for my front doors for long enough. I'm having a hard time deciding what to get, as the stereo shops here don't have a huge variety for me to listen to. I know I'm going to get a ton of different opinions, but that's fine with me. I want something better than something you can get from Best Buy or Circuit City.
Please just give me some opinions, what are your top .. lets say 3 picks?
It would really help if I could just listen to them all, but I can't.
I guess I should also say that I am using a PPI 4240. Probably only 60 watts per channel, but these armps are generally underrated for power. Just one 10" PPI sub for bass, don't want everything rattling, just be able to feel the beat a little with some nice clean sound up front. Soooooo what's going to be clean for me up front?

Arc Audio KAR- $100
Soundstream Picasso $60
SoundStream SST $50
SoundStream Exact $90
JL Audio TR525CX1 $90
Infinity Kappa $90
PPI DCX525C $100
Focal 130CA $90
CDT CL5EX$90
Polk MOMO $90
Alpine TypeR $75
Boston Acoustic S55 $75
Boston Acoustic SX55 $92

[birdhouse]

Boston or Focal first, then Polk, then Alpine... I'd look into component sets over these if you plan on amping just for the pure fact that components sound so much better.

[stockert]

the only thing I worry about with Component Set, is I know I can get the 5 1/2 to fit in the door, but I dont want to cut into the panel for the tweeter, and I cant think of where I would put it?

I really need to find a place to listen to these MOMO's and Alpine that people keep talking about. I've always thought of Alpine in the same class as Pioneer/Kenwood/Rockford Fosgate. Have they gotten better over the years?

[birdhouse]

Alpine has, and pretty much always will, make a good quality speaker for a fair price. I pounded the HELL out of 2 12" Type R subs for a little over a year, and when I sold them, my friend was so impressed with how they sounded after a year, he went out and bought 2 more and his freaking Jimmy slams so hard now... I know they also make a quality speaker... The Type S's are the lower of the 2, so I would keep an eye out for the R's.

Component tweeters can be put anywhere you want. You can find some stock tweeter housings from a 99'-up GT that will fit perfectly in where you stock housings are now, and they already have the space for the tweeter there.

[alxndrk]

Alpine
Infinity
Boston

I also recommend components. You can mount the tweeters in the sail panel. Go to the dealer or to a junk yard and get a pair of panels if you don't want to mess with the ones in your car.

Check this topic for a 5.25 infinity front door install

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=433582#post433582

Here's a pic taken from the topic above to show you how the tweeters would look. My infinity's look the exact same way. What I did was, I removed the stock tweeters and siliconed the new ones.

http://home.comcast.net/~AEDan1977/CarAudio/9.JPG

[dandragonrage]

Best to worst: Focal (only if you like bright speakers), Boston, Polk

And no. Alpine does NOT make good speakers. They make maybe fair or decent speakers, but no better.

[birdhouse]

Dan, they make GOOD speakers for a FAIR price. I dunno what you've heard, but all the Alpine speakers I've ever dealt with (including the 2 12" Type E's I have in my GA now.... that've been pounding for well over 3 years...) have done the job and done the job well.

[tubpub11]

Focal, boston, alpine. I can't judge the rest haven't listened to them personally. I would say that alpine still at the same level as pioneer, and rockford fosgate. They have improved from the older ones but the bostons and focal speakers are still by far better

[dandragonrage]

What have I heard? I've heard some real good speakers, being a speaker system designer. Makes the so-so stuff like Alpine less good, you know? Kind of like using a 21/22" computer monitor for a long time then trying to use a 17".

Pioneer and Rockford Fosgate speakers are blehhhhh. Rockford makes OK lower-end subs, that's it.

Try Ascendant Audio.

[stockert]

I'm definately looking for quality, wanting above Pioneer or Rockford, but I will admit, I'm cheap and only wanting to spend around $100, that's why I've chosen the ones in the list I've provided. Wanting high end quality sound (but at a reasonable price) The subs I had running before I got this PPi were 2 12" Soundstream Reference. I got them back in 96 after I graduated, and they are still pounding hard 10 years later. I put one in my roomates sons' car, and just one is more bass than he can handle. Dont get me wrong, the "quality" and tightness of the bass isnt like it used to be, maybe it's the box i built, but the loudness and the pressure of it hitting your chest and taking your breath away is still there.
But now I'm not into that, just got a 10" for a little kick, but want something sounding beautiful up front.
I guess I need to get that door panel off to see what you are talking about, that there is room in there for a separate tweeter.
I havent had components before. do they sound better because they are separate? Because you can aim the tweeter to the middle of the car? Or just because you have better mids out of the 5" round, because it has more surface area without the tweeter being in the middle?

[Lash]

Wow...nobodyy likes ARC or CDT? You guys ever heard some of their stuff? Top notch.

[birdhouse]

I've heard of both, but personally never listened to either. I was giving him recommendations on what I've personally heard and also from friends and family who have those comapnies products in their vehicles. I still think you should go with a component set, tho. Just hit a junkyard up for the pillars and you'll be set.

[gicts]

finally got my boston components running this past month and they are amazing

[stockert]

Arc Audio KAR- $100
CDT CL5EX$90
CDT ES530
CDT EF-51 $115

I listened to a pair of Arc components at the stereo shop, they sounded nice. I can only find the Arc Audio KAR series in my pricerange, and they are probably thier lowest series, so I'm not sure how they will sound.
I'm assuming the CL5EX from CDT is also thier bottom end set also, as I've seen other Coaxials from CDT running around $400. But I've never listened to them.
Also so saw Clif Deisgns CDT components at a good price, but again, have never listened to them. Wish we had more stereo shops here.
These pillars/sails you mention. did the monsoon systems have those for the tweeters?