Time for Audio upgrade V2.0 looking for suggestions

[Rolling Estonian]

Hey guys, I'm starting to think about upgrading my system again.

What I'm looking at doing is using my RF T400-4 to power a set of component speakers up front and eliminate my rear fill altogether.

What I could use help with is putting a short list of speakers I can go listen to, to make my final decision.

Budget is not really an issue, I want something good.

my current set upHead unit - Alpine CDA-9885Speakers - Infinity Reference 6.5 (front) Infinity Reference 6x9 (rear)Speaker Amp - Rockford T400-4Sub - JL 12W3V3Sub Amp - Rockford T500-1BD

[AppleBonker]

Sorry I've been AWOL for a while (bunch of stuff going on). The hard part is finding a place to listen to speakers. In my opinion, one of the best sets of component speakers would be the Rainbow Audio Germaniums. That set has amazing tweets and solid mids to boot. It's probably about the best that can be had before running an active setup.

[rjdmmfl1]

Sorry I've been AWOL for a while (bunch of stuff going on). The hard part is finding a place to listen to speakers. In my opinion, one of the best sets of component speakers would be the Rainbow Audio Germaniums. That set has amazing tweets and solid mids to boot. It's probably about the best that can be had before running an active setup.

LOL.. yessir, sweet sounding components indeed... but didn't you blow your rainbow mids and upgrade the bidbass recently?

however, if budget is not an issue, the Focal K2 Power series sound like heaven!

also, another sweet sounding component setup would be to grab the Esotec2 way or 3 way passive component setups

but for ultimate SQ (and ultimate budget) it would be hard to argue with going with the Dynaudio Esostar2 3 way component setup using their

Esostar2 650 6.5" midbass/midrangeEsostar2 430 4" midrangeEsostar2 110 1.1" tweeter*note* this will require you to run an actove crossover setup... but then again, IMO, any system worht its salt will be running active crossover through a sound processor anyway!

Now that last setup is what I will be treating myself with once I finish school (2012)... it truly is the absolute best sounding setup I have ever heard in my life!!!!!!

But for a great sound at a decent price... I think the Dynaudio Esotec2 way components will be more than enough to satisfy your needs, and if you want to spend a little less, then my second choice would be the Rainbow Adio Germaniums!

[AppleBonker]

Yeah, I did blow one (though I'm still fairly certain that wasn't a result of misuse - I think I was just one of the very rare, unfortunate ones to get a bum driver). All of the above are amazing sets (I'm still so very in love with my esotar2 650's).

Like Doc said, though, if you're not going to go active (which costs a decent amount more and requires a LOT more work - though it will end up sounding a ton better), you would probably want to stick with either the Esotec comps or Rainbow germs (the focals are nice, but pricey - and when most people say budget isn't an issue, Doc and I like to go to the extreme).

[rjdmmfl1]

Yeah, I did blow one (though I'm still fairly certain that wasn't a result of misuse - I think I was just one of the very rare, unfortunate ones to get a bum driver). All of the above are amazing sets (I'm still so very in love with my esotar2 650's).

Like Doc said, though, if you're not going to go active (which costs a decent amount more and requires a LOT more work - though it will end up sounding a ton better), you would probably want to stick with either the Esotec comps or Rainbow germs (the focals are nice, but pricey - and when most people say budget isn't an issue, Doc and I like to go to the extreme).

honestly... those Eststar2 650's you have are some of the best mid bass/midrange speakers I've ever heard.... my buddy is running the following setup

*Factory Porsche headunit*Bitone Audio processor*Mobridge Integration unit for use with fiber optic audio (only one in the world, currently their beta tester for the unit)Esostar 650 midbass x 2Esostar 430 midrange x 2Esostar 110 tweeter x 2Esotec MD 102 tweeter x 2 (wanted sound stage brought up )Can't recall what subwoofer he has...

but its bananas

[AppleBonker]

Not to get too far off topic, but I am constantly amazed by the 650's. I couldn't be any happier with that purchase (unless I had a much better amp setup driving them).

I'm a huge fan of dynaudio stuff, so it might be something worth checking out (though it will likely be hard to find a dealer that you can demo them at - but they do exist). Not running active, the esotec line is definitely solid (and great bang for the buck, though not exactly cheap). I would say any set listed here will be exceptional (but they're all different price points, so that will probably end up being the determining factor).