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how about the jl 3 way components? you can go and take a listen to them locally (most likely). ever thought about maybe trying to go active with a nice two way setup? You may be able to get away with a nice tweeter and midbass and another sub amp (used jl audio 2 chan slash series) for just above your budget. I have a strong feeling that i'll go that route on my next install.
As for 3 way recommendations I have come to two conclusions. You either MUST go full active, meaning amp channels for each driver with adjustable crossover points of at least 12db via the amplifier, or a dedicated electronic crossover, OR you must buy a 3 way component system as a group through a manufacturer.
Recommendations are the JL's that scott mentioned, the DLS Iridium 6.3 or 8.3, Dynaudio 340/360 sets, Focal 165v3e.
The new PRS line from Pioneer has been getting very good reviews from the hardcore audio people .. the ts-c720prs I believe is the name. Can get them through ikesound I think right now for about $250. 6.5" + tweet.
You could also head over to diymobileaudio.com and get lost in a sea of home audio drivers and active tuning discussions for car applications.
Let us know music types, how loud you like it to be, who and what you expect of the install .. etc
I just installed the JL 3-ways and I am very pleased with the sound. VRUMVRUM also has mounts for the 6.5 and 4 to fit in the door. I put the tweeters in the door pulls. I am pushing these with a RF 8004 amp bridged.
dyn audio...awesome! but will those fall in the $400 range?
I did some digging around and about the only 3-way setup I saw that fell in the $400 range were the JL's. Even the Focal 165V3's go for $500 in the gray market(woofersetc) and they're the "low end" of their lineup.
I definitely agree with Fej, trying to piece together a 3 way using an off-the-shelf crossover is asking for frustration. Crossovers are part science and part magic foo-foo dust People often underestimate how important they are to how a set of speakers will sound and without an experienced ear and some nice electronics you're not likely to get a great result.
My recommendation.. if you really want a 3 way setup, stretch the budget out to the $500-600 range.
If you get a chance listen to JL ZR650 CSI. I just put the XR 650csi
and 10" w3v3 sub in my daughters truck and It sound great. These are both 2 ways. Alot of people say it is much easier to set up a 2 way. I am no expert just know what sounds good to me.