Same old audio question
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
so let's put your Focal distributor hat on the backburner for a minute here and talk to us like an unbiased knowledgeable installer instead. I'm a big audio guy as well and in fact was in the first group of 50 MECPs in the country back in the late 80s and had several articles written up in "Installation News Magazine". Many a trophies came my way for CIU competitions, not only for dbs but for originality and sound quality as well (not as the owner of the vehicle but as the installer of such) so I'm not your typical end user per-say when it comes to audio/video. Everything in my home, everything in the man cave is audiophile quality but ever since I moved into the "bagger world" I just can't seem to convince myself that spending the kind of $ on Focal speakers is a valid option for a motorcycle. Well at least not the $600 speakers anyway. So with all that said how do you compare the lower end Focal models to other more affordable models such as kicker, j&m, RF, polk, etc.
Thanks in advance,
UltraNutZ
Thanks in advance,
UltraNutZ
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
my buddy has the middle range Focals
4 speakers and ARC amp - all installed for $800 and they sound great, and still much better than the J&M middle of the road stuff that I hear
of course they also have good mid range, and decent hi pass, but leave you wanting for low end sound (not bass) just low end fill
that is where the higher K2's start to shine
I also come from the old days of high end car audio, my best friend was the ace installer for Speaker Warehouse down here in south FL, many IASCA awards piled up in his closet over the years so I am with you on good sound quality
the mid range focals easily hold their own and sound good - the ones he has are the Focal IC165
well worth the money and until you hear something with the K2 range of speakers you are never unhappy with your purchase (at least that is what my buddy says)
he was completely happy with his until they did the install on mine and he heard it
his quote was something like "you're an a$$hole, now I know what it is supposed to sound like, if I had the money I would have the installer rip out mine and get your speakers"
4 speakers and ARC amp - all installed for $800 and they sound great, and still much better than the J&M middle of the road stuff that I hear
of course they also have good mid range, and decent hi pass, but leave you wanting for low end sound (not bass) just low end fill
that is where the higher K2's start to shine
I also come from the old days of high end car audio, my best friend was the ace installer for Speaker Warehouse down here in south FL, many IASCA awards piled up in his closet over the years so I am with you on good sound quality
the mid range focals easily hold their own and sound good - the ones he has are the Focal IC165
well worth the money and until you hear something with the K2 range of speakers you are never unhappy with your purchase (at least that is what my buddy says)
he was completely happy with his until they did the install on mine and he heard it
his quote was something like "you're an a$$hole, now I know what it is supposed to sound like, if I had the money I would have the installer rip out mine and get your speakers"
Last edited by lgenf; Nov 14, 2012 at 03:35 PM.
so let's put your Focal distributor hat on the backburner for a minute here and talk to us like an unbiased knowledgeable installer instead. I'm a big audio guy as well and in fact was in the first group of 50 MECPs in the country back in the late 80s and had several articles written up in "Installation News Magazine". Many a trophies came my way for CIU competitions, not only for dbs but for originality and sound quality as well (not as the owner of the vehicle but as the installer of such) so I'm not your typical end user per-say when it comes to audio/video. Everything in my home, everything in the man cave is audiophile quality but ever since I moved into the "bagger world" I just can't seem to convince myself that spending the kind of $ on Focal speakers is a valid option for a motorcycle. Well at least not the $600 speakers anyway. So with all that said how do you compare the lower end Focal models to other more affordable models such as kicker, j&m, RF, polk, etc.
Thanks in advance,
UltraNutZ
Thanks in advance,
UltraNutZ
The easiest way to explain for me is when we decided to branch out from just doing detachable fairings, and OEM fairing radio replacement we bought everybodys stuff. Myself, the current Production manager, and good buddy spent a weekend at the shop with three bikes, some beer. Changing everything around over and over till we came out with the best sound was the Focal Speakers and Amps. The Focal Amp however would not fit in the fairing, so next amp of choice was the Arc Audio.
Coming also from years of high end audio (Primarily Sound Quality, not DB) we simply just wanted the "BEST KIT" someone could by. I personally cringed at the idea of a $700.00 pair of speakers on a bike. I believed that there was no way to get the full enjoyment from the speaker. Then I heard what they could do!!! We can get away with the more entry level Focals on the Ultra Classic's as they have more speakers to reproduce the sound. When on a Street Glide however you are asking a lot from just two speakers. The IC integration line is great for this. The next step up is the PC's or Performance series. Same tweeter as the IC series, but better woofer cone and surround. lgenf is telling the truth when he say's the K2 series really shines. The main reason is the stand alone X-over, as well as its designed to handle more power with the Kevlar cone. This translates into more mid bass at higher volumes. The 165 KRC Coaxial kit comes in at around 3.2 Ohm so it allows you to get a clean and safe 105ish watts out of the Arc Amp.
Hope this doesnt come off as much of a sales pitch, but we, I am still really excited about working with the product and the company. Now that we have been working with them for almost 5 years, they have really fallen in love with the way we represent them in the motorcycle market.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
The easiest way to explain for me is when we decided to branch out from just doing detachable fairings, and OEM fairing radio replacement we bought everybodys stuff. Myself, the current Production manager, and good buddy spent a weekend at the shop with three bikes, some beer. Changing everything around over and over till we came out with the best sound was the Focal Speakers and Amps. The Focal Amp however would not fit in the fairing, so next amp of choice was the Arc Audio.
Coming also from years of high end audio (Primarily Sound Quality, not DB) we simply just wanted the "BEST KIT" someone could by. I personally cringed at the idea of a $700.00 pair of speakers on a bike. I believed that there was no way to get the full enjoyment from the speaker. Then I heard what they could do!!! We can get away with the more entry level Focals on the Ultra Classic's as they have more speakers to reproduce the sound. When on a Street Glide however you are asking a lot from just two speakers. The IC integration line is great for this. The next step up is the PC's or Performance series. Same tweeter as the IC series, but better woofer cone and surround. lgenf is telling the truth when he say's the K2 series really shines. The main reason is the stand alone X-over, as well as its designed to handle more power with the Kevlar cone. This translates into more mid bass at higher volumes. The 165 KRC Coaxial kit comes in at around 3.2 Ohm so it allows you to get a clean and safe 105ish watts out of the Arc Amp.
Hope this doesnt come off as much of a sales pitch, but we, I am still really excited about working with the product and the company. Now that we have been working with them for almost 5 years, they have really fallen in love with the way we represent them in the motorcycle market.
Coming also from years of high end audio (Primarily Sound Quality, not DB) we simply just wanted the "BEST KIT" someone could by. I personally cringed at the idea of a $700.00 pair of speakers on a bike. I believed that there was no way to get the full enjoyment from the speaker. Then I heard what they could do!!! We can get away with the more entry level Focals on the Ultra Classic's as they have more speakers to reproduce the sound. When on a Street Glide however you are asking a lot from just two speakers. The IC integration line is great for this. The next step up is the PC's or Performance series. Same tweeter as the IC series, but better woofer cone and surround. lgenf is telling the truth when he say's the K2 series really shines. The main reason is the stand alone X-over, as well as its designed to handle more power with the Kevlar cone. This translates into more mid bass at higher volumes. The 165 KRC Coaxial kit comes in at around 3.2 Ohm so it allows you to get a clean and safe 105ish watts out of the Arc Amp.
Hope this doesnt come off as much of a sales pitch, but we, I am still really excited about working with the product and the company. Now that we have been working with them for almost 5 years, they have really fallen in love with the way we represent them in the motorcycle market.
+10000
Dragonfly does a great job at the rallies
I love their display, the choices and selection are awsome
I spent several hours with them last year at Biketoberfest (just missed them this year, which is all on me)
But their explanation at the trailer and service is top notch. In my few hours hanging out, being a bother, and gathering information I watched them exchange speakers for others that had either upgraded to another solution (J&M) and try to help them as much as possible and another was one of their own that decided to come back and spend more by upgrading his upgrade and going to the K2's after getting the middle level Focals
you do really need to listen to a bike with K2s before you make a decision, but ONLY if they are in the budget, because once you hear them, there really is NO OTHER CHOICE
The only thing I did not like about dragonfly's demo set up versus Pete's set up is they are using an after market head unit, and pete is using a stock HD unit.
Honestly I was concerned about what it would sound like with the HD headunit, so I spent more time with Pete for that reason, however Dragonfly was top notch and as I stated in another thread, I would have taken my business there had I done some research and knew they were at Biketoberfest this year, just to support a forum vendor - and again that is on me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I'm certainly not opposed to spending money, but at some point you have to wonder "is it really worth it". I guess I won't know until I see/hear a K2 setup. I'll try to find one locally.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: West Bend, WI
Ultra.................Bottom line is you cannot go wrong even with middle of the road Focals. Hands down quality speaker...........Again being said when you are going down the road at 75 mph I truely don't believe you can compare these speakers on a motorcylce and a car. Playing with speakers for years and years I have found that the end user listeners ear is what matters. I appreciate everyone's input on this one. Going with the Focal speakers and will post pics...................
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