Recommended RMS Power: MB vs. RF

[JaCe]

I know what RMS means, and was just wondering why MB Quart gives their speakers an "RMS Range" rather than just a single figure for RMS output.


Recommended RMS Power: 50-120W

URL: http://www.cardomain.com/item/MBQDSF216

Can anyone explain what that means? I was under the impression, usually the lower number is the RMS, and the upper number is the peak; but then if you compare it to other reviews from the same site (eg. RF P162S http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCP162S ), you can see the RMS figure quoted is a single number (60w RMS).

I ask because my amp is rated at 98w RMS per channel (spec sheet says 50w), and I was just wondering if this will damage either of those two component speakers.

I'm also trying to decide between those two speakers (they are both same price) so any input on the "MB Quart DSE 216" vs "Rockford Fosgate P162S" would be appreciated! And IMO, the MB Quart sounds a bit better in terms of accurate reproduction and "balanced" audio?... the RF feels a bit exaggerated and shrill for my liking.

[aka_NSX]

i'm very sure that recommended rms power is for your amplifier, so the range for the amp you need to get is from 50w-120w rms

always remember better more watts rather than under rated when u run a system

[integraz]

Um the range just means thats recommended power u should put through it.

ie/ from 50w to 120w.

But then again power handling is not realli a main factor to look for in speakers anyway.

Assuming your buying it from Lifestylestore again? there having some winter sale i think..

Um DEFINATELY the MB QUARTs, no doubt about it, RF speakers meh don't as sound good, the only thing good about RF is amps and subs, pretty much it.

But thats my opinion, go get them audition, and get it played with your favourite song, or well known song u play alot.

Um the amp should be fine with the speakers, just turn down the gain, and not as high.. as say for a sub.

[Fr3aKi3]

Personally i'd go the MB Quart's over the Rockfords, I just found the tweeters on the rockfords too bright and a bit 'in your face'.

Have you auditioned any other splits? Or are you just after an opinion of what you've heard so far?
Have a look at some Focal's, namely the 165V1 or 165V2. They're in about the same price range as both the MB Quart and RF's and I'd rate the Focal's sounding a lot nicer than the RF's.

As for damaging the components, i dont think there'd be an issue there unless of course you're sending a clipped/distorted signal to the speakers... I've got a set of Pioneer TS-D691R's (rated at 80wrms) and my amp is rated at 150wrm, no problems what so ever with the speakers. I'm running them off my HU now and they're still going strong.

[JaCe]

Hey you guys found EXACTLY what I thought when I was listening to them at Lifestyle. The RFs, whilst good, were too bright and sounded way too shrill with the tweeters making the music sound kindof 'cheap'? Not sure if that's the best word, but the MBQ sounded so much more balanced and 'normal' at loud volumes, whereas at louder volumes, the RF was much louder, but painful to listen to the vocals on a lot of the R&B tracks I was using as my test basis.

So far I've only auditioned the ones which I have access to (ie. easy to compare between speakers, in dedicated listening room, within budget <$350, etc...) and am pretty much tossing up between the MBQ and the RF. I thought RF would be good considering how great their Punch P2 sub was, but then, after a side by side comparison, I'm thinking the MBQ fit my needs alot better. Sure I ocassionally like to hoon around nice and loud, but if it's gonna be painful to listen to, that'll just piss me off.

The only thing which made me wonder is... isn't the MBQ Discus the bottom of their range (like an A Class Mercedes!), whereas the RF's are mid-range from their more affordable product line (like... hmm... a Honda Civic Sport?). I guess that shouldn't matter when I prefer the sound from the MB.

Has anyone else here had much experience with either the MBQ Discus range or the RF Punch P162S components?

EDIT: Also thought I'd ask what you guys thought of this (I posted it in the other topic):

Atm I have my HU with 4 speaker outputs. The rear speaker lines are connected up to a line-out converter (with the speakers also plugged in). These line outs are connected to my 4ch amp, which has 2 channels in use for the sub. If I were to use the other 2 channels for the front speakers (new splits); is this a good idea? It'll save money in terms of no need for an additional line-out, but it means my HU's front 2 speaker channels won't be used since all the sound will be coming from my amp, which is coming from the line out converter and rear speaker channels off the HU... what do you think?

[Fr3aKi3]

nice analogy with the A-class Merc and Civic Sport... lol
That being said an A-class merc may be entry level but it'll still probably have more features than the civic. So comparing spec levels isn't really relevant as it's down to personal preference when it comes to splits, I mean I listened to Pioneer's top of the range splits and compared them to Focal's entry/mid range (which was cheaper at the time) and I definitely preferred the Focal's.

I was under the impression that the Punch series of speakers were also RF's entry level?

Where abouts are you located? Maybe someone can suggest a place which is local to you so you can have a better range of speakers to choose from.



Atm I have my HU with 4 speaker outputs. The rear speaker lines are connected up to a line-out converter (with the speakers also plugged in). These line outs are connected to my 4ch amp, which has 2 channels in use for the sub. If I were to use the other 2 channels for the front speakers (new splits); is this a good idea? It'll save money in terms of no need for an additional line-out, but it means my HU's front 2 speaker channels won't be used since all the sound will be coming from my amp, which is coming from the line out converter and rear speaker channels off the HU... what do you think?

What line out converter are you using atm? Is it a 2 channel or 4 channel? Reason being if it's a 2 channel then I don't see how you can use the other 2 channels on the amp, unless there are RCA splitters or something connected to the amp. Let's assume that you have the fron't splits running off the amp which is connected via the LOC, with you're current setup it looks like you'll lose some functions. Seeing as to how you're going to be running everything off the rear channels you'll lose the fading controls from the headunit.

[JaCe]

I'm aware I'll lose fade controls, but I don't see that as a big loss since I never played with it much? I'm running a 2 channel Alpine line-out.

Should I be asking for them to install a second line-out converter (probably cost another $70 or so?).

And yeh, Punch is RF's entry level gear- but the cheapest stuff are the coaxials rather than the components.

I'm located in the Hills in Sydney, I don't really mind the RF or MBQ. The FOCALs sound like a good idea, but I prefer the safety of buying from a store which I'm familiar with- and the people at Lifestyle have treated me well in the past.

[integraz]

I think you should go and try FHRX studios, they have plenty of different brands to choose from.

BTW how much did u want to spend on the fronts

[Fr3aKi3]

I think you should go and try FHRX studios, they have plenty of different brands to choose from.

BTW how much did u want to spend on the fronts


...within budget <$350

Budget for front splits :D

[integraz]

Ahh ok thanks, well if u wanna just get it at lifestylestore i think just get the MB quarts, have u tried the boston acoustics- s60, or sx60, they sound alright as well.

But then i remember testin them [bostons], with a set of MB- dont know which ones, forget, and the MBs sounded better, not sure if they were the discus series, i think it might have been reference.

[JaCe]

I tried the s60 but didn't really like the sound; it felt a bit flat at times and unbalanced? I think I liked the s60 a tad more than the RFs because the RFs were just too painful at loud volumes because of the brightness.

And I'm pretty set on buying from Lifestyle purely because I trust them- even if they charge a little more, I feel safe buying from them.

[Fr3aKi3]

It's a shame they (Lifestyle Store) dont have any DD splits to audition, i wouldnt mind listening to a set and seeing what they're like.

[JaCe]

Today I went to JB Hifi and listened to a few splits; a JL set, but more interestingly, the Pioneer TSC-160R. They sounded really good and the price quote of $530ish (less for cash) for the speakers + installation (w/ a $20 line-out converter included), was also pretty reasonable!

Then went back to Lifestyle and listened to the MBQ DSE216 again, and ended up settling on that. For the same setup with installation as well as an Alpine Line-out; it was only $20 more (all up $550).

Anyhow, the point of this post was, I'm surprised that Pioneer make such good speakers; but the DSE216 was better and I prefer the installation from Lifestyle (even if it costs more).

Can't wait for it to be installed!

[integraz]

yeah, ive heard good things about that particular Pioneer split as well.

[Fr3aKi3]

Those Pioneer splits are pretty good, a bit too pricey though, although i've seen them go for 360ish and at that price i'd say they're a good deal.

Seeing as to how you've settled on the MB Quart's, you won't be disappointed.

:D

[JaCe]

JB was offering them for... let's calculate, $530 minus $20 for LO and minus $90 for install- so around $420; which is about $80 more than what Lifestyle was offering the MBQ and RF's for.

Can't wait for the MBQ... Listening to it today was awesome, and then once you add in the subwoofer, I'm pretty darn pleased. I can't help but notice that the Punch P2 they use in the listening room to match my car, seems (and feels) considerably louder than when I'm sitting in my car though!

[dhdevil]

i think you will be pleased with the MBQ i have the same in my legend and they are a great clear sounding set up even wen turned up loud the never seem too distort or get ear peicingly 'in your face' they are allways well blanced. i have a 12'' JL W3 in the boot and im very happy with how well the splits bring it all together.

wen its installed can u put some pics up of pw your tweaters are set up?

[JaCe]

I'll upload pics but you won't be able to see anything- the tweeters are being installed in the factory locations (which the Australian model lacks anything inside!).

[dhdevil]

ahhh i get ya, no worries.

[JaCe]

I got it back- sounds fantastic! Unbelievable compared to the stock speakers which I was looking at- they aren't too bad either; they are paper, but quite strong compared to the cheapo paper ones I've seen elsewhere. Also made in Thailand in case anyone was curious.

Ended up with MBQ DSF216. Anyone know the diff between DSE and DSF? Spec-wise they seem the same? *shrugs* The install concealed everything very well even though they said it would've been better to have the tweeter sticking out.

[JaCe]

Thought I'd bump this old thread since I had some problems with my setup with alot of crackling noise and stuff when driving over rough roads; at some points it became unbearably loud and distracting (because it was a suddenly loud boom- a bit like thunder?).

Anyhow, went back to Lifestyle today- nearly 2 years later, and no receipt or questions asked. Nosh (hope I spelt it right) remembered my setup and everything and found the problem pretty quickly- dodgy RCA leads. Replaced for free. Thought it was worth a mention since whislt many places offer a lifetime warranty or whatever, this is one of the places which genuinely honours it.

[arverson]

well thats something ebay cant provide: specialist customer service 2 years after the purchase lol

my 1st pair of splits were dsf's. surprisingly good mid-bass for the price. hope your enjoying yours :)

[JaCe]

Yep the Discus ones were great. I think there's a new range of MB speakers which are cheaper- starts with an E? *shrugs* Not sure but whilst I was waiting, I wandered upto the Lifestyle store and saw they had some splits for about $30 less than the Discus splits.

On a sidenote.. I saw the old pricelist from the Midnight sale. Made me cry for not going and buying the P1 12's for $99 each >< Could've gone dual sub!