Of these two 6.5 component speakers, which do you like better as they are very close in price:

1, New ARC Black components

2, Hybrid Audio Clarus c61-2

 

i would spend less on front speakers and take the saved money and budget it to a replacment headunit

 

Bose NAV HU is staying so just upgrading the Bose door speakers. Just wondering if anyone likes either of the choices. The cost is close to the same for either. Around $300. I don't think that is too much for a good set of door speakers?

 

Ken,
Haven't heard either set so can't comment, but also looking for new components for my C5 so let me know what you decide and how they sound!
Good luck!

 

Can you listen to them back to back? I don't know who makes the arc components these days.

 

I ordered the Hybrid Audio Clarus c61-2 for the doors. I did some research and they seem to get really great reviews. I should be getting them soon so I will post when installed. I couldn't find anything on the ARC audios.

 

The arc speakers are new. Are their black series component speakers available?

For whatever it's worth, I am using Polk audio mm6501 6.5" components in my doors. I am happy with the sound quality. They cost less than 200.

 

The Arcs are brand new and cost much more than $300, I know, I am OEM licensed with Arc Audio and they are stellar speakers, a fair bit above the Claris which is a dang fine speaker for the money.

I have not done all my listening tests, I have those Hybrids plus 2 and 3 way Hybrid SE, the Legatia and Arc BLs here but have been so slammed not all the testing I want to do is done yet.

In preliminary testing I would rank them this way, so far, lower to higher.

Claris, Legatia, BL, SE, so far, much more to do to really know what I will end up with.

The Polk, for the price, not bad at all but I would place them a bit below the Claris from what I have heard from trusted sources.

Have a great new week
Rick

 

Another really nice set is the boston pro's. The will run you about $300 online as well.

 

I am thinking about a set of these CDT (model: CL-60) component speakers for the doors.
I have not heard any bad rap on them as of yet.

Best price I have found is from one of our sponsors here on the forum:
http://shop.doubledmods.com/CL-60-CL-60.htm $ 150 per pair


CDT 2-Way Component Speakers

CL-60

6 1/2” Mid Woofer:.................Carbon Coated Paper / 15oz Magnet / Cast Frame
3/4” Tweeter:.........................Silk Dome
2-Way Crossover:..................18 dB
Max Power Handling:...............170 watts RMS Continuous
Frequency Response:..............55 - 20,000 Hz
Impedance:............................4 ohm
Sensitivity:.............................92.3 dB

.

 

I'm with you.

I had an Alpine NAV HU installed for a while. I then swapped back to the OEM NAV HU. I have never regretted going back to OEM. IMO the sound is amazing, and it looks better.

Don't let anyone convince you that the OEM HU can't compete sound wise.

For what it's worth: I am using JL Audio C5 speakers and am very happy with the sound.

 

The stock HU has a decent audio output signal though the voltage is quite low. Very few options to get a better sounding output but needs more voltage to drive amps better and some EQ, why I recommend the Arc XEQ and now ship them with most of my systems. This combination makes for a great system for a low cost.

The NAV on the stock unit is not that great but I suppose if you are used to is and like it, cool for you I sold the stock NAV in my last Duramax and put a single din high end HU in and used a hand held Garmin (my wife does most of the NAV for us, hand held is much easier than in dash).

I have a JVC NT3 here for testing but going to order the newer NT50 as it has a 24 bit DAC, both have digital outputs for those wanting the very best sound, the Arc digital processor coming out before long will be world class competition level sound. Very few have had the chance to hear such great sounding systems as top notch competition systems can be. (I used to be a competitor, have beaten a world champ, been an audio judge, etc.....it is simply in a different league than most can even imagine)

The NT50 might just be the only DD NAV that I will be able to recommend without an added processor, might not quite be world class but it might be better than anything else on the market(none of the current units even have a decent DAC though things are finally shifting towards that direction)

If you like the stock NAV functions you should keep the stock NAV HU and just add a processor, analog like the XEQ or even better digital when the new Arc is out, period.

That is, until I test the NT50 at least, not to bad a price, I have heard good feedback on the NAV, face comes off for added security, might be the best upgrade for those without NAV that want great sound and indash.

Speakers, DIYMA.com is a great place to read some reviews as very knowledgeable guys in this field. Many speakers just cost to much for what you get, there are some lower cost options that are better values, upper end speakers are all pretty good but some much better than others, etc......usually the bigger the name brand the lower the real value

Good day!
Rick

(one more option, Alpines newest system, HU and processor, around $2k but that is a pretty junk of change compared to the other ways to have great sound. There has been some teething issues, not sure if sorted out yet as well)

 

When I used the word "compete" in regards to the OEM HU I didn't mean competition level. I meant it can compete for reasonable every day use.

 

Absolutely, if you like the stock NAV there is no reason to change unless you just want to go over the top, add the XEQ to it and it gets even better, quite a bit as you can tune the system, drive the amps better, etc....

 

Met up with a Focal Rep today, did a little sound check on the KR, KR2 series and mentioned the Arc Blacks and all he could say was they were amazing set of speakers!