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Anyone have a chance to sample these fine speakers? In particular, I'm comparing the A/D/S 346is, Boston Acoustics Pro Series 6.5, and the Focal 165K2. They're all 6.5" components and priced within $10 of each other. I'm into smooth tonal balance and accurate reproduction...none of the boom and sizzle crap MB Quarts junk (apologies to MB owners, it's just my opinion). My previous speakers experience has been A/D/S 320is (loved them), Canton Set 400 (also super smooth) and B & W (home speakers).

I'll prolly drive these through a Masa Audio Research (Forte or Precision) amp or a Phoenix Gold Titanium Ti500.4 amp.

TIA.

 

I used to have all A/D/S components and can't complain. The Boston Pro's are really good too. You can't go wrong with either.

I used to have the 335is and all a/d/s amps. So i'm sorta biased.

 

i have A/D/S as well. sound quality is nice. very smooth sound.

 

Sorry I like MB Quart..but only the highest end "Q" series...of your choices...A/D/S would be the correct choice.

 

Depends on what kind of music you like to listen too .... example I like both the Dynaudio and the Boston Pros .... but when you listen to them you can see what kind of sound they were designed to make. The Bostons are very balanced and the tweeter is so good you can actually here the hit on the guitar strings. The Dynaudios aren't as balanced and have more of a mid range bias but the drums sound better on these. It is kind of like giving them flavor. I think you need to hear all these systems yourself.

 

Oh yeah, I own the Bostons and I have heard everything on the high end market at least once-in car.

 

Focal wins... hands down

 

Strange Focal were the ones I rated last ....

 

Hmm... and you have heard the Focals in your car? Lined up w/ the bostons? What series Focals?

 

That's a tough decision they're all nice. Just take some of your favorite cd's to the store and compare. I went with the Boston's.

 

That's the problem right now. There are a lot of Focal dealers (w/ their cheater display board - ported enclosure) but no Boston and A/D/S dealers in Vancouver anymore. I've heard the A/D/S 320is in a car (my old car) and love them. I've heard the old Boston Pro 6.0 in my friend's car (I installed his system) and like them too - not as nice as my A/D/S but still very nice. However, everyone sez Focal are the latest shiznit. I went to audition a set of 165K2. IMO, really good imaging, detail and clarity. BUT, at mid- to mid-high frequencies, the details get muddy. Certain piano notes sound like a synth. Some vocals sounds like they're singing in the next room. The dealers say that it get boosted inside the car to even things out. I hate to pay that much (they're CAD$1300 a set in Canada) for mediocrity. I'd jump @ A/D/S and Boston's but some ppl say they WERE great but have lost it a bit.

Sigh...mebbe i should got rob a bank and buy the A/D/S competition series and be happy with them.

Thx guys.

 

i have heard the boston and i thought they were awsome....i cant say i have heard the others though...i know we put i think 600 watts to the bostons and they sounded awsome...i am not sure on the wattage but i think it was 600....if i could afford them right now i would have them...

 

I think the Utopia series is ok .. but priced much higher than these. The Boston 6.5^3 is probably their best ever .... based on what you just said I think you will really like them. The A/D/S are good too .... you should go a "speaker audition" trip to somewhere cool.

 

i believe that ralphs radio in vancouver is still a boston dealer, you may want to check them out. i would probably go with the focals though. The focals are the same speakers that are in my JM Labs home speakers.