Locally we have very little in the way of car audio (looks like a Cincinnati trip is in order). It REALLY felt like a car dealership. Vauge... Making up costs as they go.

They would like to install the following:
- Alpine CDA-7894
- Diamond M661
- Amp Unknown ??!
- JL Sub 10W3v2-D2

Cost is high. WITHOUT the sub it's $1700 with install. :crazy:

Questions:
- Opinions of the Diamond speakers?
- What amp(s) should be purchased for the JL sub / and MBQuart PSD 213?


Thanks guys.
- JeffMc, who just wants Clapton to sound a little better

 

Two words: rip... off... People at these car audio places make their money off of other people's ignorance. The cost of the head unit and speakers can't be more than $700. I couldn't find a price on the Diamond speakers on the web, so I can't figure out exactly what the material cost is (but more on that later). $1000 for a 2 hour install is ridiculous. I would go back there and laugh at them for ever thinking they were going to get that much money. Then offer to let them install the system for $600. If they can't do it for that price and still show some profit, they don't deserve to be in business.

The verdict: do it yourself. It isn't that hard.

Now, on to the Diamond speakers... Who do these people think they are? Really... I went to their website trying to find prices on the speakers you want to buy because I couldn't find anyone selling them on the web. They have a disclaimer that says that they don't support web sales at all. What kind of morons are running this place? 100% of my car audio purchases in the last 5 years have been on the web. I would never buy anything from a retailer and pay the 30-50% markup they put on stuff. I guess Diamond does it to keep their prices up and keep their distributors happy, but their losing major market share. Plus the disclaimer says, "diamond speakers should only be installed by a professional installer." Well, who exactly are the professional installers at your local audio store? I'll bet they're a bunch of 18-20 year old kids who didn't get into the local community college and have nothing better to do with themselves. Given a $1000 install budget, I could do a much better job than your average car stereo shop. The whole point of all this is that I wouldn't buy the Diamond speakers. You'll get overcharged big time. Listen to some speakers that are comparable in price at the store, then go see how much you can save on the web. I'm betting on at least $200.

Now that my rant is done, I will say that there are some installers who do incredible jobs, stuff that I probably couldn't build. But most local shops can't do stuff like that. And you still get overcharged.

 

Overall, without the sub, it seems a little high.

Diamond makes very good sounding speakers, and thruthfully, I prefer the M6 line over there upper line, the hex series. Very balanced and musical, I think you will be happy with them.

As for supporting internet sales, well everyone has there own opinions. I think it is very comendable as they are protecting the small retailers. BTW, most internet sales of electronics (car and home audio) do not carry warranty. Just check into this before you buy.

 

I heard a single Diamond 10" MacDaddy (no longer made) and it was very impressive. It's got me thinking about a 12" TDX for my setup.
http://www.diamondaudio.com/MobileAu...ge=Subwoofers#
The only website I've found that sells Diamond is:
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/caraudio/category.asp?c=6&m=39
But a local shop in here in town has the TDX 12" for $499, $100 less than this website...

 

I hear good things about the diamon hex speakers... but buy online, youll spend maybe 3/4 that amount.
http://www.cbrstereo.com http://www.thezeb.com</A> <A HREF="http://www.sounddomain.com" TARGET="_blank">http://www.sounddomain.com

etc etc

Gtlocke, MOST middle-to-high-end car audio companies dont "support web sales" It's the "standard."

Which is what i ilek about CDT so much... not only do they support web sales, they authorise web dealers!

skip the mbquartz,
you can do better.. (mho)

Focal
Dynaudio
CDT
etc etc etc

I havent read a warranty card YET on any of my nice equipment that DOESNT SAY "Must be installed by trained authorised installer" or something like that. They want to CMA for Bubbas who just throw the subwoofer against the car wall (using the magnet to hold it in place) and then bitch when they blow it up running some cheap sony amp to it with the gains set all the way up, and the voice coils wired out of phase with each other.




[Modified by Nevermind, 1:58 PM 12/26/2002]

 

Diamond Audio is a high-end company and has excellent speakers. The Mac-Daddy was AWSOME! I had two of them in my other Blazer before I bought the new Trailblazer. You will be very pleased with the Diamonds. :yesnod:

:yesnod: There are too many crooks on the web that will diminish their reputation with inferior products, no service and no installation. It's a business, take care of your distributors and they take care of you. It also helps out the retail audio brick & mortar stores where all the real marketing of the product is done.

:iagree: :lol: :yesnod:

 

I have the diamond audio components in my coupe, and they sound awesome. :smash: