Focal 165V2 vs Boston SL60

[Ru$kI]

Hi guys.

I've been quite interested in moving up from my Focal 165A1s for a while, and have lately started to do a bit more research into this.

I've narrowed down my options to Focal 165V2 and Boston SL60.
My front speakers are powered by a 4ch (bridged to 2ch) Alpine MRV-F240. I mostly listen to RnB, Rap, Hip-Hop, Dance, Techno.

1. Which of the above 2 speakers will suit most my style of music?
2. Will I need to upgrade my amp in order to run either of the two sets?
3. How much can I realistically sell my 165A1s for ($RRP260, bought them for $300 6 months ago, perfect condition)?

Thnx

[Fr3aKi3]

Personally I prefer the Focal's over the Bostons, I just find the Boston's a bit too bright for my liking. But then again my preference may be different to yours, so you might like brighter sounding speakers.

You don't need to upgrade the amp but more power just leave more headroom so the amp wont be pushed as hard. Also depending on which amp you'll probably having nicer sound coming from it as well.

[Chronos]

I heard the SL60's in car and instantly fell in love with them. Great value for money with great sound. You really cant go wrong with any Boston speakers.

Having said that, i am currently running a set of Focal K2 Power splits; these are powered from my 2chan V12 amp. Highly recommended product.

[destrukshn]

sl60's in my car right here.
great sounding componenet speakers.
lol.

[solitz]

one again it comes to your personal preference...for me it has to be the focals . i own the 165V1 and the V2 sounds better because fo the redesigned tweeter.
the bostons sounds good aswell...but again the tweeters were a lil too bright for my liking.

and no i dont think you will need to upgrade your amp..it should run the splits u decide to purchace just fine:)

[DC5TYPER]

SL60's have adjustable tweeter gains. 0, -2, -4. Set them on -4 if close to the listener. Sound perfect then.

SL60's have 2 Piece cross-overs, you can run one input or split the cross-overs and run 2 inputs and adjust the power to the woofer and tweeters with different gains from the amp.

Woofer has adjustable on and off axis with the listener phasing.

All these features make Boston speakers awesome. That why I bought them.

I currently have a new set for sale which some people know already...

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54172

[KLR-VTC]

hey i got a Focal 165 KP - K2 Power 6-1/2" 2-Way Component System just sitting at home if ur interested its brand new never been used? Selling it for $500

[Ru$kI]

thnx 4 the info guys...much appreciated :)

Just another question to add...

For powering the SL60s or 165V2s, which 2ch amp would be the best given a budget of max $600, and would it be a significant improvement over my current Alpine 4ch MPV-F240??

Mind you im open to getting a 3ch amp to power front stage and sub, which means in that case budget increases to $800

[funkdr]

One thing you have to remember is mounting depths in civics from memory K2's are to deep to fit between stock trim and window

Focal 165KP's 71mm 85mm dia
Focal 165 K2P's 77mm 100mm dia
Focal 165V2's 72mm 85mm dia
Bostons SL60's 62mm Boston site doesnt provide magnet dia
But you may be able to do it with custom baffles.

[DC5TYPER]

If you decide to go Boston then use a 4 Channel amp and split all the cross-overs. Each channel for each Cross-over. You'll be able to fine tune your splits better this way. Any good brang 4x50+ RMS Amp. Alpine, JBL, JL Audio, Eclipse ETC.

[Ru$kI]

the 165A1s i have in now are 72mm deep...so that means KP's will be fine...i think its the K2P which are too deep.

very good point bout splitting all cross-overs DC5TYPER, +1PQ :thumbsup:

[funkdr]

That will mean an active front mmmh yummy will need to run an extra length of speaker cable no biggy but adds little more cost than just a straight swap.

[Vinnie]

for the type of music u listen to im gonna go with the bostons as the american speakers are prob better suited than the french ones but imo they are both gonna be pretty similar. in any case theyre both high quality and u shoodent be disappointed with wateva u decide to go with :)



For powering the SL60s or 165V2s, which 2ch amp would be the best given a budget of max $600, and would it be a significant improvement over my current Alpine 4ch MPV-F240??

Mind you im open to getting a 3ch amp to power front stage and sub, which means in that case budget increases to $800

audison SRx3 is ideal for ur application. 3 channel amp for $629 with enough power for the splits and a sensible sub and coz its italian and not japanese ull avoid the tinny, more artificial sound that jap amps have that can ruin the sq of ur splits.


One thing you have to remember is mounting depths in civics from memory K2's are to deep to fit between stock trim and window

Focal K2's 71mm
Focal 165V2's 72mm
Bostons SL60's 62mm


if ur after focals then enter the focal 165v slim's :) basically a 165v2 with a different type of magnet they do have a slightly lower rms rating but are very shallow so are virtually guaranteed to fit without having to worry about building an external pod to fit them. I have them and can vouch for the sound quality. if u dont go the bostons, these are a very good alternative.

Anyway, good luck with ur purchase and building ur system :D

[funkdr]

........

if ur after focals then enter the focal 165v slim's :) basically a 165v2 with a different type of magnet they do have a slightly lower rms rating but are very shallow so are virtually guaranteed to fit without having to worry about building an external pod to fit them. I have them and can vouch for the sound quality. if u dont go the bostons, these are a very good alternative.

Anyway, good luck with ur purchase and building ur system :D



We have already put the FOcal 165a1's in i modified the stock baffles to take the deeper magnet cause they are 72mm deep so 165v2's will be fine. Its not hard to modify them u just have to cut the back out and a bit of sanding and u have a neat fit.:)





Added
Focal 165KP's 71mm 85mm dia
Focal 165 K2P's 77mm 100mm dia
Focal 165V2's 72mm 85mm dia
Bostons SL60's 62mm Boston site doesnt provide magnet dia

[Ru$kI]

lol...yea...fits like a glove at present :cool:

On another note. I'm also looking to replace my Alpine 12" Type - S 1242D with something like Image Dynamics IDQ12 V2, Boston G212-44, or Focal 27V2.

Does anyone have any opinoins on those subs?? Which of them would be best for SQ...and any suggestions for a mono block to run them (As oppose to my current Alpine MRP-M350)?

[aka_NSX]

FOCAL also have a 160V2 6" version specially made for japanese car

[DC5TYPER]

Added
Focal 165KP's 71mm 85mm dia
Focal 165 K2P's 77mm 100mm dia
Focal 165V2's 72mm 85mm dia
Bostons SL60's 62mm Boston site doesnt provide magnet dia

Boston SL60's have a Neodymium Magnet. Its pretty small but high power. Unlike big ass Strontium Magnets found in many Japanese speakers. Ill measure the Magnet diameter if I remember tmrw.

[funkdr]

Boston SL60's have a Neodymium Magnet. Its pretty small but high power. Unlike big ass Strontium Magnets found in many Japanese speakers. Ill measure the Magnet diameter if I remember tmrw.
Neodymium nice, Strontium is so old school now haha.