Dynaudio Esotar2 650s Installed!

[AppleBonker]

So, I just finished installing these speakers to replace my rainbow Profi 6.5 inch mids in the doors. The install was slightly more work than I originally anticipated as the spiders on the Dyns are significantly larger than my Rainbows (even though the dimensions I found online showed them as only a few mm different in any given spec):

Dynaudio on the left and Rainbow on the right.

First, these speakers were packaged remarkably well. They were completely surrounded by a foam shell. It would be difficult to imagine them getting damaged in any way during shipping. Also, I think these drivers are absolutely beautiful:



Again, compared to the Rainbow on the right:

Now, I've never posted pics of the MDF mounting rings I made for the door speakers, but I've got some now. As you'll see, the sheet metal from the door opening is not a perfect circle, and the spider on the Dyns could not fit through. I had to modify this with a dremel to cut away some of that sheet metal (forgot to take a pic of the cut out, but you can imagine how it looks - I was way to excited to get things together and listen). Once that was done, the install was a breeze as the speakers easily fit into my mounting rings:



Installed:

The Dyns are still running off the PDX-4.150, but I had to modify the tuning of the amp a bit. I first reset my EQ and adjusted the x-overs (tweet is running 2.8 kHz up, Dyns have 63 Hz to 2.8 kHz and the sub is running the frequencies below 63 Hz). I left the eq completely flat at first to see how they sound. Honestly, words cannot accurately describe how excellent these drivers function. I am so excited to have mids up front that can now keep up with my sub. It sounds a bit like I'm bashing the Rainbows, and I certainly don't mean to. They are quite capable drivers in their own right, but these Dyns blow them right out of the water.

I have more than sufficient bass up front now. Before, I was honestly considering finding a way to run three-way active and putting some 8" woofers up front, but this seemed like it would have been a lot of work. Now that I've got the Esotar2 650s installed, I no longer feel like I need a larger woofer up front. They perform admirably down to the crossover I have set. In fact, I drove around for a while with the sub turned off just to experience the low end from the mids. Needless to say, I was highly impressed. I would love to hear these mated with the Esotar2 110 tweets, but that isn't even remotely close to in the budget for the near future. I still may need to do some more tuning once the drivers are a bit broken in, but I can't imagine this set sounding much better. My hat is off to Dynaudio on the design of these drivers. I will try to update more later after I've had a better chance to run these. But for now, I've got listening bliss!

[rjdmmfl1]

Nice Apllebonker..., only things is, very few people on here even know the difference between say an esostar and esotec midrange driver! BUt I derf appreciate what you've done! Good for you my dude!

Im gonna check out chan's system at some point (he's the one that installed the dynaudio components with the McIntosh amps...

[banshee08]

Apple,

Nice install. I never got a chance to hear those 650s but I bet they are amazing. Both you and Doc have active systems and I am thinking of doing the same. I am kind of running semi active. I use the McIntosh Amp's crossover to control the frequencies but still have a passive crossover for the mids and the mid bass, but at some point I will have to go active also. I am wondering if you heard anything about the new Esotar2 430 mid 3.5" drivers, I am considering upgrading since mids and highs are more critical for the kind of music I listen to. I want to do the entire set and do the 650 also but really enjoy the 8" MW172 I am using now.

Chan

[kuhan]

Nice upgrade Adam. I'm pretty sure those sound awesome!!!

You three are insane with audio stuff

I'm happy with my current setup, just need tuning and a pair of door pods.

[AppleBonker]

Apple,

Nice install. I never got a chance to hear those 650s but I bet they are amazing. Both you and Doc have active systems and I am thinking of doing the same. I am kind of running semi active. I use the McIntosh Amp's crossover to control the frequencies but still have a passive crossover for the mids and the mid bass, but at some point I will have to go active also. I am wondering if you heard anything about the new Esotar2 430 mid 3.5" drivers, I am considering upgrading since mids and highs are more critical for the kind of music I listen to. I want to do the entire set and do the 650 also but really enjoy the 8" MW172 I am using now.

Chan

Dude, I would love to hear your car. I bet those 110s are amazing! I'm surprised by how well the 650s image. I haven't messed enough with time alignment, and they still image well up into the dash rather than down by my feet. Unfortunately, they seem to lose a little from their deep end when the stereo is turned up to full tilt, but I don't think that is a result of their capabilities. I still need to do more deadening, and I think the head unit and amps take away from how the Dyns could perform. I would love to be running some Alpine F1 stuff and your amps, but money doesn't grow on trees.

As far as the 430s go, I've never heard them myself, and they certainly wouldn't be useful in my setup (since the 650s will perform higher than my current x-over and tweets can certainly dip that low). However, the dealer I purchase from mentioned he was somewhat surprised at how well they sell. He said they're amazing sounding drivers, but the application has to be right (something similar to what you're running I would imagine). It would be perfect for you if Dyn would come out with a 8" woofer in the Esotar2 line, but I'm not sure if that will happen.

If you were to switch over to the 650s and ditch your current midrange setup (run maybe two-way with just the 650s and 110s) it might be just as good as your current setup. My dealer mentioned a show install that he worked with a guy on who has the 110s, 650s and I'm pretty sure the 172s up front. He's running Alpine F1 gear with multiple tuning setups (obviously three-way as well as a two-way setup holding the 172s out) and he claims to like the sound of the two-way better than the three-way!

Running active is so much fun, so I would highly recommend it. It's a lot more work, but it gives a whole lot more tuning capability that you don't have without it. I will eventually have multiple EQ setups that favor various types of music. I don't really like running the same EQ for rap as I do for rock or more easy listening. It just doesn't seem to perform the same to my ears. Definitely gives all sorts of tweaking ability to tune exactly how you like it.

[rjdmmfl1]

I will eventually have multiple EQ setups that favor various types of music. I don't really like running the same EQ for rap as I do for rock or more easy listening. It just doesn't seem to perform the same to my ears. Definitely gives all sorts of tweaking ability to tune exactly how you like it.

That is one thing that I do love about the DQXS...when combined with the DDC controller, it has 8 EQ user created preset options that allow me to instantly change the EQ (and I do) when my ipod is on random and switches from T.I. to Geral Albright to Bonnie Dobson...

Chan, if you do decide to go active, there are a copule of really good options out there (even better than the audiocontrol DQXS) that you can play with, especially if money is no option (and looking at your setup, my guess is it isn't )

[BlackNWhite]

*Thread jack*

Apple...

I was searching Craigslist and this is what I found.

http://losangeles.craigslist.o....html

Would you recommend jumping on that? Or did that sub get beat to death and won't last very long?

[AppleBonker]

*Thread jack*

Apple...

I was searching Craigslist and this is what I found.

http://losangeles.craigslist.o....html

Would you recommend jumping on that? Or did that sub get beat to death and won't last very long?

Ok, we'll get completely off topic. IMO, this person seems a bit shady. First, it appears he's missing some information. I'm not sure if this is a dual voice coil or single voice coil sub (to be honest, I didn't even know there was a SVC UL12 out there til just a bit ago - that's how long I've been out of the sub loop). I'm pretty sure the specs are about the same, but the CMass site is blocked for me at work. Even if the specs are the same, this greatly will change wiring options.

Next, I don't know where this guy bought from, but $2,500 a year ago is getting ripped off. I bought mine new about a year ago and paid decently under SRP ($2,000). On that note, I know he's trying to boost his payout, but the SRP was $1,999 last time I checked, not $3k.

Personally, I'd also be interested in knowing what he ran the sub on (what amp and about how much power he was feeding it). I've read that a UL12 can handle a burp of around 7k watts and should easily be able to handle 3k watts RMS. However, it would be nice to know if he pushed it that hard. Really, I don't think it's too easy to beat the hell out of this sub. I'm pretty sure they'll run just about forever.

The final note is that I've seen a DVC UL12 sell for $500 shipped (used) on car audio forums recently (as in about a month ago). You can certainly find these cheaper than $580 now. Not to mention, the folks selling them on the car audio forums will gladly tell you what they've been running them with and any other questions you may have. Personally, I would hold off and try to find one at a slightly cheaper price (and probably from a more legitimate person) if you are truly interested. Send me an email (should be in my profile) if you want to know the car audio forums I browse so you can watch them as well (I know it's a different area, but I don't want to be posting that on here).

That is one thing that I do love about the DQXS...when combined with the DDC controller, it has 8 EQ user created preset options that allow me to instantly change the EQ (and I do) when my ipod is on random and switches from T.I. to Geral Albright to Bonnie Dobson...

Back on topic: I just updated my second EQ this morning. I definitely need more sound deadener in the doors and on the rear deck, but these mids are not going to need much tuning. I literally can't stop smiling when I've got the tunes going in this car. I used to want to upgrade everything after about a year of owning. However, I'm at almost a year on the UL12, and I HIGHLY doubt I'll want to change that out any time soon. I'm pretty sure these 650s will be the same way. It seems I'm finally piecing together a keeper system.

Note: I'm not saying other products aren't equally capable though. I'm sure Chan's Esotar2 1200 sounds amazing (though different from the UL12). I don't know that I'd honestly be able to say that one sounds better than the other (again, I'm sure they sound different, though not different better/worse), and because of that it would certainly not be cost effective to swap out. I do really like the look of the Esotar2 1200 over the UL12, but that will never be a reason for me to change.

[Viper5000]

man, that equipment looks like pure sex.... and pricey....

[opekone_1988]

Just Wondering Apple, how much $$$ did you drop on those mid's?

[AppleBonker]

Just Wondering Apple, how much $$$ did you drop on those mid's?

Unfortunately, I'm not really at liberty to say. With most high-end electronics companies, dealers are not allowed to advertise prices below SRP. If I were to go into details on what I spent, it is possible that my dealer would get in trouble. If that were the case, I would lose my dealer and I've worked with him quite a bit on this car and previous, so I definitely don't want to do that.

I can tell you the SRP is $500 per speaker (or $1k for the pair), but I did not pay retail. If you are interested in actually purchasing the speakers, I can get you in contact with my dealer and he can help you out. It might also be worth checking if there is a dealer in your area as well. Sorry I can't help more.

[rjdmmfl1]

Unfortunately, I'm not really at liberty to say. With most high-end electronics companies, dealers are not allowed to advertise prices below SRP. If I were to go into details on what I spent, it is possible that my dealer would get in trouble. If that were the case, I would lose my dealer and I've worked with him quite a bit on this car and previous, so I definitely don't want to do that.

I can tell you the SRP is $500 per speaker (or $1k for the pair), but I did not pay retail. If you are interested in actually purchasing the speakers, I can get you in contact with my dealer and he can help you out. It might also be worth checking if there is a dealer in your area as well. Sorry I can't help more.

A better question would have been "how much [on average] do those go for. Most of us in the audio world don't pay retail, but that's only because we get things pretty close to if not at "dealer cost" from our audio guys. Even the guys I bring into my shop can't get the price I get! It would be best to shop around for an authorized dynaudio dealer ... my shop is an authorized dynaudio dealer and if you want, I could def get you a discount since you're here in San Diego!

[banshee08]

Doc,

I am up for any suggestions on the active setup. I am at a lost with that stuff. I been checking out the F1 stuff from Alpine but the seem to be hard to get a hold of and besides the Dealer I work with is not doing any alpine any more.

-Chan

[rjdmmfl1]

Doc,

I am up for any suggestions on the active setup. I am at a lost with that stuff. I been checking out the F1 stuff from Alpine but the seem to be hard to get a hold of and besides the Dealer I work with is not doing any alpine any more.

-Chan

hit me up, and we can discuss it... I love my Audio control DQXS with the add on DDC controller ... audison has released its bit one processor, which is even better than the Audio control DQXS... however, to my understanding, only two production models exist, and the guy at my shop has one of them