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Thanks. I think its mostly a tuning issue. not sure if a external EQ will help much over the 13 band EQ in the deck since I can't get the deck EQ tuned quite right. But I've thought about getting one.
I did some tuning for a while today and I have it at an almost flat curve. Which makes Jazz and other acoustic music sound nice, but doesn't work as well with rock and hip hop. I guess thats why there are 2 custom EQ settings I can save.

There are a few ways you can improve the way those sets sound...

The simplest would be, maybe stepping up to a 150watt amp. The greatest impact this wouls have would be in the midbass region.

On the other hand if you are looking to get more than just a power increase, the following would get you total control...

External xOvers... this will give you the control you need to see what is the optimum xOver frequency in your car. No need to worry about phase shifts as you double the xOver slopes because it is electronic.

4Channel amp... using a 4 channel amp to dedicate a channel to each speaker in your component set allows the amp to maximize output where it is needed most. The gains now double as a means to match the output of the mids & tweets under clipping.

External EQ... With the EQ you can tame & enhance to your liking,,, or you can use it to flatten your response... to each its own... the important thing is you can control what you want to do... I prefere Parametrics to Graphic unless the Graphic is a quality 1/3 octave unit.

Good Luck...

I agree with what you are saying, cause I am not disapointed with them persay, just that I feel it could be better. It could be a tuning problem as well. They do however work really well the louder they go.

I think its mostly in my head, that I expected too much from them. I'm thinking the 75 watts that each one is getting may not be enough. well, I assume they are getting about 75 watts.

You have a set of the Top of the line JBL GTI comps? The reason I ask is to make sure I am on the same page here, cause that is one of the best sets you can buy... there really is nothing wrong with them except that perhaps you need to fine tune them further with perhaps an EQ for more tuning control...

You will get more personal preferrences than actual drop-in tonal facts about other component sets... I say that with confidence because the cars are a highly reflective nvironment that never is taken into acct. So what may sound one way in one car may sound diff in another using the same speakers... and we haven't even considered installation locations...

I am just trying to get you to think for a bit... who knows what you are looking to spend now... but at least now you know that someone is recommending you focus on yours a bit further.

I could recommend the speakers I use, but if you are not willing to put time into your current set, you wont get the same results I get with my favorites.

yea, I've seen the brands, and would like to know specific of the their speakers from people that have tried them.

[quote="muddybear"]I've been running the GTi's for a couple of months now and I really like them, but I don't love them. They get pretty much as loud as I would want, but the SQ is not quite what I want. Its almost like they are too accurate. the tweeters were really strong at first too. I had them mounted at the top of the door in the stock location. but the adjustable crossover helped. I dropped the tweets to -2dB. that made them quite a bit smoother.

my main question is what options do I have to upgrade to, while staying with components?

I was thinking about the JL XR's but wasn't sure if they would be as loud or worth changing too. Or maybe a set of the ID components.

also I have dynomatted my doors completely already. (which also helped)

right now they run off of a pioneer 8600 and JL 300/4.[/quote]

There are soooo many speaker choices out there, so make sure to take your time while researching/choosing, and try to listen to as many brands as you can. I haven't heard the XR's but from what I hear they are a good set. I don't know what your price range is but here are a couple brands to get you started: Cdt, Arc, DLS, MB Quart, Focal, Rainbow.

I've been running the GTi's for a couple of months now and I really like them, but I don't love them. They get pretty much as loud as I would want, but the SQ is not quite what I want. Its almost like they are too accurate. the tweeters were really strong at first too. I had them mounted at the top of the door in the stock location. but the adjustable crossover helped. I dropped the tweets to -2dB. that made them quite a bit smoother.

my main question is what options do I have to upgrade to, while staying with components?

I was thinking about the JL XR's but wasn't sure if they would be as loud or worth changing too. Or maybe a set of the ID components.

also I have dynomatted my doors completely already. (which also helped)

right now they run off of a pioneer 8600 and JL 300/4.