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Diamond/Focal/Dynaudio Comparison Help

Old Apr 25, 2004 | 07:13 PM
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Default Diamond/Focal/Dynaudio Comparison Help

Doing some homework for some front speakers and down to three choices.

Dynaudio 240GT:
Cheapest Price: $589
Frequency Response: 55 Hz - 25,000Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB

Focal 165W:
Cheapest Price: $569
Frequency Response: 50Hz - 22,000Hz
Sensitivity: 92.5 dB

Diamond Audio S400s:
Cheapest Price: $299
Frequency Response: 65Hz - 22,000Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB

Now hear come the questions..lol
1)What (in your opinion) is the best speaker?
2)Best Overall Value?
3)Name good qualities or bad qualities.
4)What does the frequency response and sensitivity mean in relation with the sound?

Thanks Guys!!
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 03:16 AM
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If these are for a Z, you should be looking at the S600s from Diamond. That is the correct size for the car (6-1/2"). Using the correct size also lowers the frequency response for the Diamonds down to 42 Hz.
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 07:06 AM
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If those are the only three choices then Dynaudios are the only ones I'd personally buy. My second choice would be the Diamond Audio Hex S600s. For alternatives, Boston Pros and Image Dynamics need to be looked at as well.
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 09:22 PM
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Ive had the Diamonds in my previous car(S500A). And I have the focals now(Utopia 165W3). I'd go with the Focals otu of those two. You are gonna get better bass response from the focals. The tweeters on the focal's sound "warmer" vs the Diamonds. The Diamond tweeters are more tinny, some people may like that.
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 10:36 PM
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Diamonds are a good buy, but overall quality imo goes to Dynaudio. Can't lose picking any of the 3 though. Have fun.
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 01:13 AM
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Originally posted by BoostTed
Ive had the Diamonds in my previous car(S500A). And I have the focals now(Utopia 165W3). I'd go with the Focals otu of those two. You are gonna get better bass response from the focals. The tweeters on the focal's sound "warmer" vs the Diamonds. The Diamond tweeters are more tinny, some people may like that.
The reason yours may have sounded tinny is that you had the S500A (A = Aluminim tweeter). The S600S's (S = silk tweeter) will have a smoother high end and sound warmer. The bigger speaker in the Z application will also give it deeper bass response then you had with your 5"-ers.
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 01:39 AM
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Originally posted by BriA5
The reason yours may have sounded tinny is that you had the S500A (A = Aluminim tweeter). The S600S's (S = silk tweeter) will have a smoother high end and sound warmer. The bigger speaker in the Z application will also give it deeper bass response then you had with your 5"-ers.
never said the tinny was a bad thing, some probably prefer that for certain music.
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 05:49 AM
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Originally posted by BoostTed
never said the tinny was a bad thing, some probably prefer that for certain music.
And you're also comparing apples to oranges. Seriously, the silk dome tweets on the Diamonds destroy's Focal's tweets hands down. I personally don't find either accurate enough for my taste but I have to say the Diamond silk tweets are way better then Focals.
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 10:46 AM
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Originally posted by LS350Z
And you're also comparing apples to oranges. Seriously, the silk dome tweets on the Diamonds destroy's Focal's tweets hands down. I personally don't find either accurate enough for my taste but I have to say the Diamond silk tweets are way better then Focals.
goddamn im just compareing two speakers that i have personally used.
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 02:05 PM
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I can't speak for the Diamonds but here's my 2 cents regarding the rest of you choices...

Focal has great midbass and bass extension. The speakers seem to react very fast and seem pretty accurate. The tweeter's are too bright for my taste. Also even though the sensitivity on these speakers are relatively high.... they are very power hungry. Also the cones on the utopia series are very stiff and need to be broken in.

They Dyns in my opinion are much more laid back and the tweeters are very smooth... perhaps a little less detailed than the focals.. but easier on the ears after hours of listening. Mid-bass definately has less kick than the focals. Vocals are also very smooth.

If you listen to rap, techno, rock the focals will probably sound more dynamic. If you listen to vocals, or more laid back stuff you will like the dyns more.

Both focal (JMlabs) and dynaudio make great high end drivers for home systems also
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Old Apr 27, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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thanks for the responses guys..sorry i havent been in the conversation untill now(damn work..lol)

ive heard the dynaudios are smooth before..but they should be for that kind of money!!lol Im thinking bout the diamonds with the silk tweeters because they seem like the best bang for the buck. Should be takeing a trip soon to go hear them.

But could someone explain to me what does the frequency response and sensitivity mean in relation to the speaker and how it sounds? Thanks guys!
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