MB Quart car speakers.

[Davemcc]

My wife is bugging me to replace the factory speakers in her car, an '06 Focus wagon. I want to get something better than the ubiquitous Sony or Pioneer. I've heard good things about MB Quart and found the 6x8 coaxial for $199/pr at www.subwoofersetc.com. I don't have a local place to audition that I know of, so I'd like opinions. Is this a good choice? Anybody have experience with that site or know of a better source?

The car already has an aftermarket deck and a self powered sort-of subwoofer installed.

 

[Rowdy S13]

What model are they? I have a friend who has a pair of 6.5" Q componets in the front and I want to say Discus 6x9" in the rear of his car. They sound very nice, but there on the bright side. Another company Id look at would be Diamond audio. Also a couple sites I go to for good prices...
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com
http://www.hifisoundconnection.com
Hope this helps.

Sean

 

[Tomorrow]

I agree with the "brightness" label on the MB-Q's. Nevertheless, I love mine. With that sub, you'll be in bidness.

Sorry Dave, I can't comment on the source.

 

[adwilk]

I've had MB quarts in every vehicle ive had the past 5 or so years.. its the first thing i do when i get a car... they are "bright" but not overwhelming to me.... definitely adds some dynamic characteristics and movement in the sound...

 

[Sheep]

I have Bostons. They sounds pretty good but lack any form of bass.

I've been impressed with Alpine also.

SheepStar

 

[Davemcc]

The brightness issue concerns me. These responses took me by surprise, but are duly noted. I'm really looking for something that is well above average sounding and I'm willing to spend some good money on them, even though it's only a Focus. I can't really cheap out on the woman who didn't flinch at what I spent on my system this year and who actually requested 2x12" box subs in the living room.

I have very little car audio experience other than factory setups. I have a whole Rockford Fosgate system that sounded great in my Crown Vic, but sounds like poo since I moved it to my Town Car. Maybe I should just move the Rockford's from the TC to the Focus and try something else in the TC. All I know for sure is that I have to have it done by Christmas.

 

[Matt34]

Boston Acoustic Pro 60's. I'm running the lower end S60 and love them. Not bright sounding like my old Infinity's.

This guy has them lower than anywhere else I've seen. I can vouch for him as I've bought a couple audio related things from him for my Titan. Crutchfield sells them for $599 and he has a sale on them for $350.

http://shop.tech12volts.com/product.sc?categoryId=7&productId=93

 

[Davemcc]

Would these Pro 60's fit properly into a hole designed for a 6x8 speaker? I see it has an adapter to fit into a 5x7 hole, but I just wonder if I'd end up with some type of adapter madness trying to put too small a speaker where a larger speaker is intended to be.

 

[Matt34]

Would these Pro 60's fit properly into a hole designed for a 6x8 speaker? I see it has an adapter to fit into a 5x7 hole, but I just wonder if I'd end up with some type of adapter madness trying to put too small a speaker where a larger speaker is intended to be.

That I am unsure of but these folks here have the correct adapter for your application.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=1772

 

[Tomorrow]

The brightness issue concerns me. These responses took me by surprise, but are duly noted. I'm really looking for something that is well above average sounding and I'm willing to spend some good money on them, even though it's only a Focus. I can't really cheap out on the woman who didn't flinch at what I spent on my system this year and who actually requested 2x12" box subs in the living room.

I have very little car audio experience other than factory setups. I have a whole Rockford Fosgate system that sounded great in my Crown Vic, but sounds like poo since I moved it to my Town Car. Maybe I should just move the Rockford's from the TC to the Focus and try something else in the TC. All I know for sure is that I have to have it done by Christmas.

Dave,

The brightness for me is reminiscent of the brightness of a B&W loudspeaker. It's clear, the high end is definitely there, but it won't overwhelm you. To my ears, ones which were used to Alpine speakers, these are much superior in performance. But note, I do not have the coaxial speakers. I have 6.5" and 5.25" monopoles in the front and back doors respectively. Also, I have a pair of stock 1" tweeters in the front doors (in front of the window), and I'm certain that enhances the brightness I get. (I heard the MB-Q's without these tweeters when they were first installed, and they were the best door speakers I'd heard to date, if that helps.)

Where the heck is Zumbo when you need him?

 

[annunaki]

I would stick with JL Audio VR or TR series, or Boston Acoustics if brightness is of any concern. Both tend to use very natural sounding silk dome tweeters. The Diamond Audio HEX series with the Silk dome option (if they still have it) would work well too. Morel also comes to mind. It will all depend upon the budget available. However they are quite expensive.

A bright sounding speaker in a sound board will be even brighter in a car with the confined environment, all of the glass and other reflective surfaces.

 

[Matt34]

I would stick with JL Audio VR or TR series, or Boston Acoustics if brightness is of any concern. Both tend to use very natural sounding silk dome tweeters. The Diamon Audio HEX series with the Silk dome option (if they still have it) would work well too. Morel also comes to mind. It will all depend upon the budget available. However they are quite expensive.

A bright sounding speaker in a sound board will be even brighter in a car with the confined environment, all of the glass and other reflective surfaces.

I had the VR in my 350z and really liked them. They were more detailed than my current S60 but then again, they were also twice the price.

 

[Smoker_98]

I would also suggest looking into the JL line. I've never been dissapointed with their speakers.

 

[annunaki]

Dave,

The brightness for me is reminiscent of the brightness of a B&W loudspeaker. It's clear, the high end is definitely there, but it won't overwhelm you. To my ears, ones which were used to Alpine speakers, these are much superior in performance. But note, I do not have the coaxial speakers. I have 6.5" and 5.25" monopoles in the front and back doors respectively. Also, I have a pair of stock 1" tweeters in the front doors (in front of the window), and I'm certain that enhances the brightness I get. (I heard the MB-Q's without these tweeters when they were first installed, and they were the best door speakers I'd heard to date, if that helps.)

Where the heck is Zumbo when you need him?

Are you using the factory amplification your vehicle? What kind of vehicle is it?

What is a monopole if it is not a coaxial speaker? Are you just running a midrange driver? No tweeter? If so how can you state they are or are not bright? You are using the factory tweeter?!

 

[Tomorrow]

Are you using the factory amplification your vehicle? What kind of vehicle is it?

What is a monopole if it is not a coaxial speaker? Are you just running a midrange driver? No tweeter? If so how can you state they are or are not bright? You are using the factory tweeter?!

Yep, factory amplification. You are correct (and my head is up where it doesn't belong ), I'm running coaxials plus the 4Runner factory tweeters in the front door top (just in front of the windows).

I mentioned that I listened to the MB-Q's without the factory tweeters connected for some time. I ultimately decided I liked the addition of the little tweets.

Am I in trouble?

 

[emrliquidlife]

I'm on what seems like my third odd set of MB Quarts. I have 6.5 seperates in the front and a 5.25 in the rear. The tweeters are not all together too brite, but I have a crossover that allows me to select attentuation on the highs.

The current set I have has been with me for some 4 years. Can't say that about most other car speakers. I used to love Altec Lansings Carbon Fiber line, but the woofer would blow in about a year. I think the speaker just didn't handle the heat.

I recently heard a rumor that MB Quart had been sold and were now owned by a Chinese company. I don't know the truth of that though.

E

 

[Davemcc]

I do have a local JL Audio dealer. I'm heading over there this morning to see if they have speakers to demo or just the subs. Wifey's coming along too.

 

[Davemcc]

OK, I just got back. They only had a couple of 6x9 JL's to demo against a bunch of Kenwoods. The JL's didn't sound all that impressive until I threw some volume at them, then they really showed their advantage. I didn't find them bright at all, at low volume almost dull. I ordered two pair of the 5x7 on the premise that they will show similar qualities against other 5x7 as the 6x9 did against other 6x9's.

I'm thinking about ripping my Rockford 4-channel amp out of my Town Car and hooking it up to the JL's in the Focus.

 

[annunaki]

Yep, factory amplification. You are correct (and my head is up where it doesn't belong ), I'm running coaxials plus the 4Runner factory tweeters in the front door top (just in front of the windows).

I mentioned that I listened to the MB-Q's without the factory tweeters connected for some time. I ultimately decided I liked the addition of the little tweets.

Am I in trouble?

Here is the issue with your judgment on the speakers. The factory amplifier uses preset eq curves as well as crossovers to compensate for the inadequacies of the poor frequency response of the factory mid-woofer. What I am saying is the speaker you replaced did not run full range. The one in its place will not either. Sure it will sound better as it is a more competent design but you are not using the new coaxial to its fullest potential. The reason you feel you need the factory tweeters is because you do. The high end response is rolled off to your coaxials.

Thank cheap electronics crossovers and dsp chips for that. Upgraded audio systems in cars now days are usually the same factory speakers with a bit more power and better eqs and frequency separation.

 

[annunaki]

I'm on what seems like my third odd set of MB Quarts. I have 6.5 seperates in the front and a 5.25 in the rear. The tweeters are not all together too brite, but I have a crossover that allows me to select attentuation on the highs.

The current set I have has been with me for some 4 years. Can't say that about most other car speakers. I used to love Altec Lansings Carbon Fiber line, but the woofer would blow in about a year. I think the speaker just didn't handle the heat.

I recently heard a rumor that MB Quart had been sold and were now owned by a Chinese company. I don't know the truth of that though.

E

MB Quart is owned by Rockford Fosgate (Rockford Corporation) or at least was. Perhaps it has been sold again? They applied some much needed cash to the company.