dear all,

I want to change my front speakers to front component speakers. powered by HU, no amp.
my budget is RM1k.
went to many shops in pg and found Hertz & Focal.

when i told the shop ppl I want Focal PS 165 or Hertz ESK 165, i was given the answer if there is no amp no need to buy them instead they recommend cheaper ( below rm500 ) brands or series.

is it true that it is a waste of money to buy Focal PS 165/Hertz ESK 165 ( both around rm1k ) if i dont hv amp?

thks.

Depend on what HU being used to power it...... If using Pioneer DEH-80PRS or Alpine CDA-117E think should be ok.... Anyway, Amp can always be added on subsequent when you feel the HU lack "something"
If you get the 500 buck speaker now, and when you wanna add amp later, you will be restricted by it. If you sell it, you lose money and to use it with a good amp then it's the restriction of what you miss if you gotten the 1k speaker instead.
Anyway, it's your ears and money. Don't let the shop dictate what you want to buy. Also plan a bit for the future.
If you decide to stick to HU powering the speaker all the way, there are actually speaker specially made for this purpose that are high in efficiency so do not require amplification. For your information, this type of speaker also not cheap.... Maybe also in the 1k price-range....

hi scsoo,

i googled and high efficiency means high sensitivity....90dB and abv...focal ps 165 sensitivity is 93dB...means it is high efficiency, rite?

mind sharing what brand & model speakers that are high in efficiency thus do not require amp...
thks...

This post has been edited by pskk: Aug 10 2012, 10:15 PM

Sorry to disappoint you, but there is difference between efficient and sensitive. Sensitive normally mean the speaker are easier to drive at nominal power. You still need some level of power and think both the Focal and Hertz are rated above 50watt nominal. As I think most HU have nominal of 10W to 25Watt and normally peak power between 40W To 60Watt, this case even at peak power for the HU would not be at the said speaker nominal power.
You need efficient speaker that can be played at nominal power of the HU. Something that operate say at 20Watt Nominal with Peak say at 80Watt. If possible sensitive as well of above 90db. In fact your current speaker are something like this. I am not sure what is available in the market as most of us will take the amp + speaker route as easier and in fact cheaper. I believe to get a good set of such Component/saparate speaker will not be cheap or else you see lots of them in the market. The only type I know is those high end co-axial speaker but maybe this would not be your choice also.
As such, what I can suggest is to look for a set of speaker with the lowest nominal power that you can find at your budget. It's not an easy task but I did manage to get a set of Alpine component with 40Watt nominal a few years back for use as rear fill powered by HU. Of course, it's rear fill only and my front stage have always been amp powered. Subsequent to that even the alpine get it's own amp and the HU then only as source without being used to power any speakers.
Curious if you want to power using HU all the way or maybe you be getting amp later? If getting amp later, then think carefully.

TS,what HU?

head unit

i mean what HU u using now.. ehehe..

ha ha....sorry misunderstood....i using ori headstock unit....it's a pioneer but not sure wat model.

if wany add amp for focal ps 165...wat amp u recommend? 2 channel amp gd enough? juz wan for front only...rear no change.
brand below 1k and below 1.5k.
thks.

Get focal amp lah..audiocreation is selling them!

without amp the speaker wont perform to its potential....HU power is very small

2 channel is enough for passive...also u need to see the watts..
but if u were playing active..whole different story.

hi bro,
which shop u ask in Penang for this two brands (Focal PS 165 or Hertz ESK 165)
Can you PM me the shop name & address?
Thanks...

pshong,

I installed Focal PS165 at shop near bkt jambul.
I can't remember the shop name alredi as beens mths alredi.
but it is at the same block of Kayu Nasi Kandar but on the other opposite side of the block.
Same row as another auto accesories shop by the name of i thk On Cost or Costplus acessories.
Very easy to find, if you cant find it.....i will try to find my invoice.

Hertz I found at Class Tech Auto at Hutton Lane.

I chose Focal PS 165 as i like the sound and price given by shop is cheaper compared to Hertz.
Also it was new model with won award.
Hertz I din get to test it as shop was out of stock, and price is very much higher from the price you can find in the forum.

However I believe lots of ppl say Class Tech Auto hv better knowledge fixing sound system....so i guess maybe true.
The shop i installed the Focal, not very gd. Aeroplane sound....i had to sent it back 3x befor ethey found the root of the problem.
It was the focal amplifier i bought together with the focal ps165.
I return the focal amp and took back my money and only bought the focal speakers.
But I can tell you the price the shop gave is very good.....compared to all the many shops i went to in penang island.
pros & cons...

This post has been edited by pskk: Jan 18 2013, 10:02 AM

If powered by HU only, I think SQ wise, nothing beats the Boston S60 =D

Just my 2 cents

Wait till you hear it on a Rainbow SLC. Stock Myvi HU + entry level Rainbow.

wait till u listen to alpine 9887+dominations ES61 in a myvi...

Wohoa, I wan listen!! =D Wait till I come back KL first, then I go find you sifus! Frankly too many less know brands with good quality lahrg!!!

IMO, Should put a pin up or something....

Support tis 1. :-)

s60 midbass is hella weak without amp.

had my ICE done in 2 primary stages.
so yeah, been there, done that.

There you have it pskk, your answers at my expense (T-T) U should treat me u know =D

Yup, gotta admit, lacking midbass =D