I'm new to the forums, and instead of plaguing people for opinions, I did most of the work with my own ears. 2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. I'm trying to assemble a budget system (we're talking eBay) - $120-180 components 6.5"s, $150-200 headunit, $50-100 rear 6x9"s (2-ways, I will not buy 3-ways). I'll be driving everything off a headunit for now, and upgrading to an amp and a sub later (I know, I wish I had the money now too). I don't particularly like a super-flat sound; I like very crisp highs, a little under flat in the mids, and a firm amount of punch in the bass. I listen to alot of alt rock and classical too.

Here's my observations and final thoughts on why I did and did not like things. If I'm way off base with any of these, please let me know. Also, please help me narrow my top picks:


Headunits:
1. JVC KD-HDR1 - Pros: HD Radio, Sub out with XO, good 7-band EQ; Cons: No Highpass Filters, 2.5v preouts

2. Pioneer DEH-P5900iB - Pros: Sub out with XO, HPFs, Sub Level Control; Cons: 7-band EQ bands are abnormal, Price

3. Panasonic CQ-C7403U - Pros: Sub out with XO, HPFs, good 7-band EQ, 5v preouts, Price; Cons - None (!?)

Budget 2-way 6x9s:

1. Infinity Reference - Sounds great, could use a tad more mid-highs. Good separation.

2. Alpine R - Sounds great, but muddy in the mid-lows.

3. Kicker K69s - Similar to infinities, but also lacking some mid-highs. Great separation.

4. Alpines - God save me, the models I heard were cheap sounding and middy.

5. Eclipses - See above.

6. Polk - Clean enough, but too much mid for me.

Budget Component 6.5s:

1. Infinity Reference - Sounded great. Awesome separation. Lacking a bit in the deeper lows, and might need a very slight EQ boost in the high mids.

2. Alpine Type Rs - Good low end and decent highs, but they're compressed sounding and suffer greatly in the mids.

3. Diamond Audio D6s: Impressed. A bit abrasive in the mids, but all-around very flat. "Warmth" seemed to be lacking.

4. Kicker - Not bad. Decent separation. Narrow sound though. Reminiscent of the Alpine Rs.

5. Rockford Punches - Decent, but very muddy and unrefined sounding. Might work well for rock and roll.

6. Polk - Too mid-heavy and narrow. Somehow pleasant and balanced though.

7. Eclipse - Too cheap sounding. Not enough separation.

8. Dyn Audio: Amazing and balanced. Too bad it's out of my price range.


So that's what I could listen to locally. Hopefully you can get some ideas of what I like and don't like and offer suggestions. I'm a bit concerned because I haven't been able to hear MB Quart components or Infinity Kappa Perfect components, both of which I've read are good picks for people who like crisper highs like myself. If the Kappas sound similar to the Refs only better, I'd sure love to hear them before I make a choice.

Thanks all!