Thanks to all responses. Yes I also read that they have demo cars to audition some of the options. So far this looks most reliable. I've looked at KK Lau and there are less reviews from customers, more negative than positive reviews. Pete looks decent and more trustworthy but thought I'd check here first.

Thanks for the information on Focal speakers. Since you recommended it, I presume it is noticeably better than the cheaper options? I usually listen to instrumental music, no vocals. Clarity, separation between instruments, refined and extended treble and taut defined or textured bass are the priority. Dislike boomy bloated bass of some systems where cheap thump thump bass overpowers everything.

How much is the price with the Focal setup? I'm not looking to spend much so can the focal speakers and subwoofer be installed without the DSP box?

Then focal is among the best brands for your described preference.

They got entry level too (look up Lazada) that's around our under 1k (I think these days starting minimum 1k for a 2 way component)

I personally dislike focal as it's too treble focused. Vocals will be a bit lacking
Bass is pretty much dead.

I just got Pete to adjust the EQ settings today, to boost the deep bass and mid bass as the thump was lacking. Now it's sounding much better. As for the treble, I asked if he can tweak it to sound more extended and he told me the treble has been set to be very bright, much brighter than most setups, and anything more it's not the correct way to listen to music already. Okay then, so leave it as that.

Here are the settings.







Bass settings on the HU are adjusted to suit the music (some music recorded with more or deeper bass, some with less bass). Bass adjustment on the subwoofer is somewhere in the middle.