MB Quart DTC 169

Price Paid:  $128.00 from Forget

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 MB QUART DTC-169

Summary:
I purchased these before there were any reviews on the DTCs, which are 3-way. I cannot express the quality of sound they are capable of producing! I have a Rockford Fosgate head unit and some off brand front(door) 6"inch speakers. The sound that comes from jazz and classical can't be beat. If you want true musical reproduction and you are willing to sacrifice bass for clarity then these are for you. The people who would complain about these speakers are the same fools who never consider puchasing a home stereo for $5,000 like I have, they don't care anything about quality, only how many neighbors they can wake up as they drive by.

Strengths:
Accurate tonal qualities, linear sound reproduction on all frequencies. Price is meager for the quality!!!!!

Weaknesses:
Idiots who don't know what music is!

Similar Products Used:
Polk Audio, JBL,

Price Paid:  $120.00 from ebay

Summary:
I had these speakers for about 8 months probably and then cranked them too high one day, I had them amped a little too much, they were getting about 180rms each and that was a little too much. I also used the pioneer premier 9600 whatever they were, the top of the premier line 6x9''s, i don''t remember, it''s been a while since i sold them. I bought the pioneers first and the cones on them didn''t even move before i amped them. Then i got an amp and the highs sounded muffled and a lot less crisp than i wanted, so i bought a pair of these and put one of each in, the pioneers definately put out more bass, but the midrange and highs sound way better on the quarts. I''ve got a sub, nakamichi 12" aluminum, it''s an amazing sq sub, just doesn''t put out a ton of volume so the bass off the 6x9''s didn''t matter to me. After overpowering the quarts which by the way can handle a good 100+watts rms if you run a 80hz hpf on them, i decided to buy some speakers from a real store so i could get a warranty on them. I went with the top of the line memphis 6x9 3 way and they only cost me $125 after tax and if i blow them, i get new ones for free, it''s a good deal. The memphis''s sound almost as good, they''ve got slightly bigger magnets and can put out a little more bass than the quarts, but the highs are almost as clean and the midrange has a fuller sound.

Strengths:
Clean, crisp, highs, the best i''ve heard from a co-ax speaker. Decent midrange.

Weaknesses:
too little bass if you don''t have a sub, otherwise, nothing, these are perfect

Similar Products Used:
top of the line co-ax pioneer premiers and memphis 6x9''s, the memphis''s are almost as good, but these have the titanium tweeter and midrange that make them a hair cleaner

Price Paid:  $130.00

Summary:
If you want to sound like you've got a pair of 10" subs, get the pioneer 6x9 speakers (not the compression horn ones, unless you don't care at all about sound quality) and throw in a big amp, they can handle some insane amount like 240watts max each/70-80watts rms each. If you want crisp highs, amazing midrange and decent bass, go with the quarts.

Strengths:
Very well defined highs, solid bass (with an amp).

Weaknesses:
Hardly sound better than my 10 year old stock without an amp.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer p-9600 (something like that, i don't think that is the real model #) pioneer's top of the line 6x9 3 way speakers
The pioneers had giant magnets, probably twice as big and with an amp crushed these with their bass, but the highs were muffled and the midrange was a little soft sounding no matter how i adjusted my stereo and amp.

Price Paid:  $120.00

Summary:
I would definitely recommend anyone purchasing this pair of speakers to get an amp and a sub to go along with it. The highs are pretty clear but can be too "bright" if not adjusted accordingly. Hence, if you had a sub to balance out the highs, you should have no problems. Overall, they're good. If you have a higher budget, you might want to get some Reference Series MB Quarts.

Strengths:
These speakers have awesome mids and highs but it was lacking in bass. Maybe I expected too much from the bass standpoint, but I think these 6x9's would sound a lot better if you also had an amp and a sub. Overall, MB Quarts makes some nice products and for those on a budget, these speakers are for you.

Weaknesses:
Like I've said, I expected more bass from these speakers but other than that, everything else is good.

Similar Products Used:
Stocks. Much better in the mids and highs but it seemed like my stock Integra speakers had more bass. Go figure.