Focal vs Rocksford Fosgate

[simon8855]

Hi guys...

Can anyone share some experiences for these two brands? I heard that they are both good brands and I am thinking to go for either of these...also recommend which model is good? I am thinking to get speakers and amp.

1) tweeter, mid and sub
2) all 6''x9'' speakers power by amp
Which setup is better actually? I am interested to get a quality sound and can play loud sometimes.... lol

Thanks in advanced. :wave:

[arverson]

both brands are not MY cup of tea in the speakers department.. never been a fan of their sound.

and option 1 each & every time

[simon8855]

thanks for your reply arverson...

any brand you will recommend?

[arverson]

sigh, i swear....

no i dont have any, but i will recommend you go into your local specialists, tell em your budget and see what they have on offer for you. if you like the focals or rf's then so be it.

[DNY*BOY]

I have the Focal polyglass 165 VRS components in my front doors awsum clarity adjs crossovers not xactly bang for buck but if you have the money cant go wrong, but you do need a good amp. RF is ok not a fan but never used there products before only seen others , if you set up your system right cant go wrong key advice dont stinge spend or build in stages... if your gonna go with 6x9s dont need sub just good amp

[SteveH]

I had Focal splits and a Rockford sub in my old car. I found the Focals to be excellent sounding along with being very efficient with the power being used. The Focals seemed to play the loudest when comparing them to other speakers using the same input, without sacrificing any sound quality. The Rockford sub was also great value for money and provided excellent bass quality, rather than just thud, thud, thud that some brands seem to deliver.

Always go for seperate tweeters, mid and bass where possible. I would only go for the 6x9's if you could only afford to buy one pair of speakers or have some fitment issues.

[simon8855]

thanks guys for all your valuable replies...
I found that not many ppl are fancy with both of this brands

could anyone recommend other brand? pioneer? alpine? JL audio? kicker?

this can be a thread that provide information for newbie on stereo system... lol

[arverson]

hardly lolz :p

ill repeat myself again.. "recommend you go into your local specialists, tell em your budget and see what they have on offer for you. if you like the focals or rf's then so be it."

up to you what sound your ears like, not us. so the ones im recommending are the ones you like and fits within budget.

[SteveH]

I think simon8855 is just after some suggestions before he goes into a car audio shop. Sometimes the person 'helping' you may be pushing speakers he likes or ones they may be trying to get rid of.

I do agree to go into a reputable audio specialist and get their advice, but it helps to get some unbiased opinions from the people on here. Just take in a CD of music you like and get the shop and get them to run it through some speakers within your budget. You can then make up your mind as to what sounds best to you, as evryone's tastes are different.

Good luck with the search.

[dyljoy]

I have focal splits (model is 165v2) in my old car, and it sounds good when powered by amp. Can't get u any comment about RF, coz i haven't touch them yet. but both of them are good brand and try to listern both of them and pick your own choice. Good luck~

[ABANG]

Its best if you can have a listen to both speakers IN CAR (car audio speakers sound different in car and on demo board), and see which one you like. For me, Focal is good around the midrange area, personally I dont like the tweeter ( a bit too harsh for me). Rockford is more for SPL, the sub is loud.

Do you know what sort of budget you have? It will make your life a lot easier if you do, LOL, and where are you located, I can refer you to a "good" shop if you are in VIC, NSW, or WA. Send me a pm if you have more specific questions, I'll be more than happy to help.

cheers

[simon8855]

thanks a lot for the replies...

my budget is around $2000 include installation...i am located in Melbourne...I had tried AudioFx and TowerAudio for my previous installation...I prefer AudioFx but is a bit pricey...abang, any shop you can recommended? any brand is good?

by the way, abang, i saw ur car in autosalon...haha...nice car

[TYP32]

Try to keep one thing in mind simon, when choosing speakers, the brand is not all that important opposed to the quality of sound. Let your ears do the purchasing for you.

Back when the brand Infinity had only been in Australia a year or two and we're not widely known, i paired them up against names like focal, mb quartz etc, Infinity (beta)cleaned up in the sound quality department. I ended up purchasing a full active (tweet, mid, midbass) front end from a company that didnt have a "reputation" of sorts in Australia, but ended up cleaning up in comps :)

Im not saying to buy Infinity, Focal, mb whatever, what im sayin is, dont get stuck buying a specific brand, let your ears decide.

good luck

[SteveH]

Have to agree with TYP32 about not going for the biggest brand, but to pick what you like. Some other people's thoughts can help though.

I have purchased components and used Freeway Car Audio for installations. They are really good guys and are happy to go through everything with you. Both of their stores in Malvern and Dandenong are good.

[simon8855]

oh...thanks again guys....
as a conclusion, i need to go down to a local shop...i will try to decide and let you guys know when i had made up my mind...

[ABANG]

I agree with typ32. let your ears to be the judged and decide. I would recommend crescendo speakers and consonance amps. they will easily fit onto your budget and will sound phenomenal, much more than you paid for.I have this in my car, so if you want to have a listen, feel free to let me know and we organize a time to meet.
ask for store, you can visit frankston car audio and ask for Mark. tell him I send you there and he will give you good deal.

hope this helps
cheers

[Zilli]

make sure you tell the person at the shop what you want your setup for... SPL/Audiophile... or.... george street/enjoying your music yourself

[danyboi]

Hey mate

Speaker wise I have been through at least 8 different installs in my 2 honda civics, and have just finished my install on my skyline. and i can tell you now, Focals are amongst the best i have had installed.

The focal 165 K2Powers are awesom, They go hard, and are extremely clear speakers.
they retail for quite a bit, but if you know where to go, and have a little barganing power, or any mates like i do you can get them around the $350 mark.

Couple of things i have learned.
alwayse use good splits in the front ( i.e. mid, and Tweeter), Rear use either the same, or a set of 3 ways, and a sub in the boot. this is the best sound your going to get.

dont waste your time with 6x9's.

If you want something better than the focals, Hertz, and Rainbow splits sound awesom, this is what i have in my current install, although they need to be amped.

In regards to your question on Rockford gear they are good, bang for buck, but they do not have the clarity. good if you just want BASS and shit loads off it.

If i were spending 2k on a system this is what i would get.

Focal 165 K2Powers aprox $350, or Hertz HSK-165's $280-300 ( FRONT)
Rainbow SLX-265 ($300), or the Hertz HSK-165's ( REAR)
Alpine PDX1.1000, Mono Amp $650 or Lanzar, or Rockford amps( cheaper)
Alpine PDX 4.100 4 chan amp $650 or Lanzar, or Rockford amps( cheaper)
Hertz 300D subwoofer $400, Or cheaper Alpine Type R is not bad at $250

Hope that helps, if you need any other advice just PM me happy to help.

[arverson]

^^ looks like a decent budget breakdown, tho id spend less on the rears and more on the fronts.

you forgot to factor in installation, wiring & subbox too..

[ABANG]

I agree with arverson. I'd spend less on rears or maybe even wont change the rears unless he will sit on the back seat which i doubt it. For the front seats, most informations will be heard from the front drivers when you listen to general music, unless you are watching movies which is not the case here.

Allow about $500 for installation and some decent cabling

[danyboi]

Aversion and Abang are correct,

I completly agree, spend more on the fronts, and less on the rears.
Initially you could leave out the rears, and just leave them stock till you save a little more.

Sorry dident include installation, I Do mine my self...
and you can make your own sub box if you have a bit of time, Bunnings is a good start.

[TYP32]

yea informative work guys. Dealing with sound quality in cars should be tackled the way you want, i myself never use rear speakers (sub is the only thing u will find behind my drivers) due to the simple thing of reproducing sound correctly.
When you sit at a concert, do u sit with your back to the stage? I'd hope not, so common sense dictates, the sound comes from the front. Rears can add a certain "depth" to the "stage" of your system, but i find it tends to pull it too far back. As i said, this is simply a personal choice. Build your system to suit your taste. :thumbsup:

[ATSE]

Good recommendations... btw... have you included sound deadening in your budget? I'd rather spend less on splits (but still get quality ones) and sound deaden your doors. A system with cheaper splits + sound deadening will sounds HEAPS better than a system with an expensive splits and no deadening at all.

Also agree... if you want true sound experience... then don't put in rears. Just makes it sound "artificial"... and drowns the front out. I love the sound of Hertz HKS165s, I've always found the Focal Tweeters a bit too sharp. I'm running Boston SL60's and I love them.

[arverson]

if we're gonna suggest simon to include the installation, wiring, subbox and SD'ing in the budget then he's gonna have to drastically reduce the quality of his gear, and change the budget break-down.

500+ for the 1st 4 items, leaving 1000ish for a HU, splits, amp & sub (and rears)....

willing to do the system in stages or up the budget simon??

[danyboi]

Im in total agreement with ATSE
Sound deadening will make the system all that much better, however initially is not nescessary, can be put in later, if it doesnt sound how you like.

That being said personally i like my back speakers in good when watching movies ( later when you get a screen) for surround sound.

Arverson has a very good point as well, with the budget you are on, you will need to either build up in stages, or find some really good mates in the car industry to get your gear cheap, and help you do the install if your not confident to do it your self





personally i would build up gradually.

[icecrm]

i had rockford splits in my old car not as clear as i wanted it to be. Now in my ep3 i have boston accoustics HEAPS better. But in the end, the better the amp the better the sound as well

[mr ©harisma]

Plenty of crap on the market, and plenty of quality gear as well. Get off your bum and go auditioning. It's free and can save you $$$$.

Most of the time the simplest way works best. :D

[The Dog]

they r both shit. for speakers the best to get is kicker & JL audio. subs get an alpine type r & all powered by JL audio amps

[mr ©harisma]

they r both shit. for speakers the best to get is kicker & JL audio. subs get an alpine type r & all powered by JL audio amps

Big call....

Care to explain why they are shyt?