Alpine Vs Focal Speakers

[The Road Warrior]

Hi,

The time has come to sort out my speakers. Brought the car with blown rear stock speakers & front 6.5in Kenwoods (poorly fitted). After looking around have narrowed the search down to:

Focal Access 165CA (Rear)
165mm (6 1/2") TN37B Orientable Tweeter, 120w Maximum Power Handling, 60w Nominal Power Handling, Sensitivity: 92dB, Frequency Response: 60Hz - 18kHz

Focal PolyGlass 165V2 (Front)
2-way separate
Woofer: 165mm.
Voice Coil: 25mm.
Motor: 84mm.
Tweeter: Tioxyd 5 TN 47.
Filter: 2-way 12dB/octave (adjustable tweeter and midrange level).
Max. power: 150W.
Nom. power: 75W.
Sensitivity: (2,83 V/1m): 93dB.
Frequency response: 60Hz-20KHz.
Grilles supplied.

Or

Alpine SPR-174A (Rear)
PEAK POWER 160W
• 40W RMS • Frequency Response: 35Hz - 35kHz • 1" Soft Dome Tweeter with 15° Swivel Capability • In-Line 12dB HP Crossover with Tweeter Protection • Aluminium Coated Poly Cone • Cast Aluminium Woofer Frame

Alpine SPR-176A (Front)
PEAK POWER 200W
• 50W RMS • Frequency Response: 35Hz - 35kHz • 1" Soft Dome Tweeter • External 12dB HP/6dB LP Crossover with Tweeter Protection • Aluminium Coated Poly Cone • Cast Aluminium Woofer Frame • Extra-Large Woofer Magnet with Vented Pole Piece • Swivel-Flush/ Swivel-Surface Tweeter Mounting


I’ve heard the Alpines installed powered through an amp in a supra & the clarify was excellent. Have heard focal access speakers which also sounded v.good but not listened to one straight after the other.

I’m no expert on speakers but looking at the specs the Alpines have a wider frequency range than the Focals, since I listen to all types of music will this have any bearing?

Focals are more expensive than the Alpines, are they worth the extra?

Any opinions on these will be much appreciated,

Many thanks everyone :thumbs:

[RobSheffield]

im told the Focals will pi$$ all over the alpines...im going for Focal...you pays your money!

[SupraJames]

I have just fitted a set of Focal Polyglass Comps in my front and they sound amazing, I have Alpine comps in the back and the sound quality difference is very noticeable. Also I have a friend that can get hold of the Focals for £120 a set, that £100 off retail..!!

[RobSheffield]

Also I have a friend that can get hold of the Focals for £120 a set, that £100 off retail..!!

having just paid and placed the order, i have to say, im less than pleased

why does this kind of detail always escape me unil too late?!

lol, suppose its called irony

[terawua]

I have focal utopias(!) in my supe... they are amazing, and unfortunately all they did was faithfully reproduce the moderate sound quality from the cheap head unit I have installed. Still I would go for focals any day of the week, they are just a whole lot more esoteric, especially if you pair them with an Audison amp or something like that. When I was in the shop, the guy said that home audio geeks use focals to put into home made speakers.....

Finally, ask Matt Harwood over at Sextons....

[The Road Warrior]

Also I have a friend that can get hold of the Focals for £120 a set, that £100 off retail..!!

Thanks for the replies guys. James can he get the 165CA's also? & I'll be v.interested in a set of poly's for that price, let me know please mate :thumbs:

[SupraJames]

have emailed him, so will let you know..!!

[SupraTT2004]

Get Focal Speakers over Alpine. Focal speakers sound is amazing

[SupraJames]

Have spoken to my contact and he only has the Focal 165 V2's at the moment im afraid..!! Sorry

[supra dan]

Have spoken to my contact and he only has the Focal 165 V2's at the moment im afraid..!! Sorry

james, how much is he asking for v2's, i am after speakers and would be interested.

[crimbo]

FOCALS IN MINE....... WOTS THAT YOU'RE SAYING??

[SupraJames]

The V2's with all postage costs come to £150, they come from abroad, but can get them within a week.

[Phoenix_TT]

I'm no audio expert, but I've heard focals and I think they sound amazing. I went to 3 audio places and they all recommended them. The only Alpines I've heard are the Type S and Type R, which sound good, but not as good as the focals. Of course the Alpine speakers are cheaper.

I've listen to the Polyglass, Poly-K and Utopia. For the price and if you could justify the amount, I would go for the Poly-K. I think the Utopia are to pricey unless you can get a good deal on them.

SupraJames: Your tweeter placement is interesting. Did you experiment on the placement ?

[SupraJames]

The Focal PolyKelvars are incredible, my mate has 2 sets in his car and the quality is out of this world, but they are not cheap..!
As for my tweeter placement, not really, because of the dash tweeters did not want them that close, so thought closer to the driver/passenger would better, but mainly done for looks. works really well though..!! :clap:

[The Road Warrior]

Thanks for the posts guys, sounds like it's Focal all the way. Have got a week off end of this month so will pay Matt H a visit since I need them fitted as well. PolyK reviews are v.good but not sure if I want to spend that much, Polyglass will probably be my choice since I'm not a purest anyway.

:thanks:

[imi]

I have just fitted a set of Focal Polyglass Comps in my front and they sound amazing, I have Alpine comps in the back and the sound quality difference is very noticeable. Also I have a friend that can get hold of the Focals for £120 a set, that £100 off retail..!!

£120 a set - Can you email OR PM me details....which ones are these?

[SupraJames]

They are Focal Polyglass 165 V2 Component Speakers, total with postage is £150 as they come from abroad but all brand new boxed, Focal card and sticker included.!
Should be able to get them within a week.

[SupraTT2004]

James,

can you get hold of these Focal K2 Power 165 KP 2-Way Kit. if so how much for?

thanks

[SkyJawa]

Focal kick Alpine speakers into touch :D

[SupraJames]

At the moment my friend only has the V2's in stock im afraid..!

[Matt T]

Focal kick Alpine speakers into touch :D
You ever heard a set of the Alpine SPX-Z18T/Z15M? I would like you to find a better sounding speaker in the world ;)

[SupraJames]

The Alpine Type X Range are very very good speakers, but damn they are expensive..!

[Matt T]

The Alpine Type X Range are very very good speakers, but damn they are expensive..!
Their not type X, their the F#1 Status range, talking about £3k+ iirc :)

[nickyboy]

I have just fitted a set of Focal Polyglass Comps in my front and they sound amazing, I have Alpine comps in the back and the sound quality difference is very noticeable. Also I have a friend that can get hold of the Focals for £120 a set, that £100 off retail..!!

You have components in the front and back?

[trebor]

The focal access speakers were deleted a couple of months ago and replaced with polyglass V1 .......so there should be some good deals at dealers right now on the old access!!

[SupraJames]

You have components in the front and back?

Yep I sure do, the rear set provides the mid bass range..!