Front speakers..5x7vs6 1/2? JL ZR line out yet?

[smittypig24]

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but my questions are fairly new. What is the popular opinion on 5x7 speakers vs 6 1/2? speakers? I'm talking separates..specifically the JL's. Opinions wanted please (especially 1sty who seems to be the audio king!)

Also, if I went the 6 1/2" route, I hear JL is coming out with the ZR components. Are they THAT much better than the XR's?

 

[kriemer]

Have you ever seen an oval speaker in a home audio system? Ideally you would want to install the 6" round mid bass or coaxial for optimum sound quality. However, the installation of a round spekaer will require some fabrication and maybe you will have to run new wires into the door for seperates. I went the easy route in my P5 as I installed Pioneer 5x7'" in my front doors. I have always been a fan of JL Audio speakers, except for the XR series, but I have yet to hear the ZR components.

 

[smittypig24]

That's what I thought too about the oval speakers. However, the local JL dealer said they are not worse than the rounds at all. What don't you like about the XR series? The JL dealer thought the MB Quart's were better than the JL's. I just can't make up my mind!

 

[kriemer]

Speakers are totally subjective, so purchase the ones that sound best to you. I do not like the JL Audio XR and the MB Quart speakers as they have metallic dome tweeters that sound harsh and I find them to be fatiguing after short listening intervals. I am partial to a/d/s/ and JL Audio VR & TR series speakers as they have sort dome tweeters.

 

[1sty]

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but my questions are fairly new. What is the popular opinion on 5x7 speakers vs 6 1/2?

Listen to both and if you can't hear a difference then buy the more convient. If you can hear a difference, buy the one you like. Technicly, the round driver should be more accurate and the oval should produce more midbass from its larger cone area.

(especially 1sty who seems to be the audio king!)

SEEMS!!!!????
IS!!

Also, if I went the 6 1/2" route, I hear JL is coming out with the ZR components. Are they THAT much better than the XR's?

They'd better be for the extra $650/pair. I haven't had the chance to compare them yet though.

 

[1sty]

Have you ever seen an oval speaker in a home audio system? Ideally you would want to install the 6" round mid bass or coaxial for optimum sound quality. However, the installation of a round spekaer will require some fabrication and maybe you will have to run new wires into the door for seperates. I went the easy route in my P5 as I installed Pioneer 5x7'" in my front doors. I have always been a fan of JL Audio speakers, except for the XR series, but I have yet to hear the ZR components.

It will only require an adapter plate, that anyone can make with an hour and a jig saw.

The only reasons to pull new speaker wires is if you running 75 watts rms @ 12 volts or more to the speakers or if you don't want the crossover in the doors.

 

[1sty]

Speakers are totally subjective, so purchase the ones that sound best to you. I do not like the JL Audio XR and the MB Quart speakers as they have metallic dome tweeters that sound harsh and I find them to be fatiguing after short listening intervals. I am partial to a/d/s/ and JL Audio VR & TR series speakers as they have sort dome tweeters.

Very true about subjective. I for instance agree totaly with MB quart although still like alot of there speakers. I however don't think the XR is harsh at all. I'd even put it on th emild side.

 

[smittypig24]

I've had a few different front 6 1/2" separates in the past, JBL, Boston Acoustics, and I've always thought they lacked mid bass. I've always had them amped well and with a sub. I think i'm going to go with the 5x7's. I'm sure they will be fine and the possibility of having more midbass than 6 1/2"s is alluring. Hell, it's only money right? (Unless the ZR's come out VERY SOON!!!)

1sty...do you still have those MB components for sale or are they gone?

Lastly, what is the benefit to the grounding kit? They seem to be for sale all over ebay and you make a set too, so it must be important right? What good does it do? Are protege's notorious for bad grounds?

Thanks for your input!
(i'll be building a sweet enclosure for my 10w6v2 JL soon too...hopefully picking up a 400/4 or 500/5 amp to replace my excelon X650D...i'll post pics when i'm done!)

 

[Poseur]

a 6-1/2 is only marginalyl smaller than a 5x7.. and trust me, you cna get more midbass out of them than your doors can handle unless you want to go to extensive lengths of sealing, etc. And even at that, my windowseals are flapping on me. Trying to get lower than 80hz or so with some stank upfront is gonna be tricky. Believe me I was at one point going to put 8's in my doors, but I've since deemed it just plain unnecessary without some major bracing/cabinetry.

Part of Boston and JBL's "lack" of midbass is actually that more often than not the metal tweeters will overpower the mids. DO you happen to know if the tweeter levels were adjustable at all and if they were attenuated? I'd presume that it's not that the mids are weak it's that the highs are very efficient. Either that, or there wasn't enough power in the mix to drive the mids properly.