ads 336is

Price Paid:  $370.00 from Ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
 A/D/S 346is

Summary:
These speakers are impressive. The highs are very detailed and do not break down even at very high levels. I have 2 pairs of components in my extended cab truck and it sounds amazing. I did use a lot of dynamat and fiberglass to fill behind the speakers. At first I didn't filter the amp output at all, but after hearing the woofer cones bottom out on hard bass hits when the volume is high, I set the HP at 50hz on my amp. Perfect fix!Audio Nirvana to me! Still plenty of bass. Even with the 50hz HP filter, the 45hz Bass boost on my RF amp brings in the low end nicely without coloring the rest of the bass range too much.

Strengths:
Clear, detailed sound, power handling. Awesome build quality on speakers and crossovers.

Weaknesses:
Lots of power below 50-hz can make the woofer cone hit the frame.

Similar Products Used:
Polk Audio DX9 - muddy compared to A/D/S. Rockford Fosgate FNX-2514 components - sucked by comparision.

Price Paid:  $375.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1997

Summary:
Good quality speakers. I would definitely recommend them.

Strengths:
Solid midrange/midbass. Smooth sounding tweeter.

Weaknesses:
Tweeters difficult to screw into and out of surface mount cups, that's about all.

Similar Products Used:
CDT HD-62; DEI Studio 3065; Image Dyamics CXS-62; MB Quart 218.61 "Q"

Price Paid:  $450.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000

Summary:
I mainly submitted this review to answer some of the concerns in the other reviews posted here. First , while this speaker is fairly linear across the power band given to it , it doesn't really come alive untill you put power to it . Reading what some of the other owners are using , some of the SQ problems they're experiencing are due to lack of enough power. I'm using two PPI 2600 amplifiers bridged on my highs which is 600 watts per kick panel. Don't get me wrong , 100 watts per channel of clean power is plenty to make these speakers sing. But my speakers with 600 watts on them will play louder than you want to listen to and still be clear and accurate. I've used many high -end component sets , some with good results , but never one with a more warm and yet dynamic sound that will play this loud. As far as buzzing , never experienced it . As with any good system they need some quality EQing , but once you get it all right , you may never look for anything else.

Strengths:
With adequate power, can play louder than any speaker I've ever used. Very accurate and tonally balanced. Tweeter stays linear at high volumes.

Weaknesses:
No weaknesses I can think of .

Similar Products Used:
MB Quart Q series , Dynaudio , Oz , Diamond Audio Hex series.

Year / Model Reviewed:
 I use the co-axial versions of these speakers, 4 total

Summary:
Overall, I am extremely happy with these speakers. I guess I could have sprung for two more P240 amps (or bought 2 P440's in the first place) but when cruising with the windows up, and when high power is not asked for, this amp/speaker combination is out-of-this-world. The only attribute that could use improvement is imaging. However, this is not all the speaker's fault, as I use co-axials and they are installed deep down in the front doors (the only place where they could be installed in my car). I do not have a subwoofer (and have no plans on adding one) because the bass response of the 336 is mighty wonderful and sufficient. I use 4 of these all round (please check clearly in your car, because many cars cannot fit 6 1/2" speakers in the front). In addition, the crossovers are a little large. If memory serves, I think I paid around $350-400 per pair. For your reference, 335's are $300-350 per pair. Keep in mind that these prices are for co-axials, not seperates. Seperates are more expensive.

These speakers are highly recommended.

Strengths:
The sound is very crisp, clear and detailed, especially on classical music. A great speaker test is to play some classical music, particularly piano. Classical music is very demanding on all speakers, even at low volumes, but the a/d/s delivers it in an extremely refined and soothing manner. Performance doesn't disappoint on more traditional pop or jazz music, however. Bass response is extremely satisfying, and the 336 is noticeably better than the 335 (I auditioned them both).

Weaknesses:
Please read this section in mind that the "weaknesses" may be due in part to my Alfa Romeo 164's internal acoustics. While playing a selection of Liszt, I noticed some very slight buzzing emanating from both front speakers (or the trim) at certain frequencies. My shop fixed it by installing some Dynamat (a sound deadening material). At high volumes, the front speakers would sometimes "crack" slightly (the fronts because I set fade slightly forward), but I am not sure whether this is due to volume or insufficient amplifier power. I use two a/d/s P240 Powerplates. In paper, the 336's can easily sustain much more power, up to 4 P240's (or 2 P440's). But since I usually play at soft volume, the 2 P240's sufficed. Then again, it might be due to the headunit (a lowly Jensen using pre-outs).

Similar Products Used:
This is my first time upgrading a stock stereo system.

Year / Model Reviewed:
 `99 Mercury Mystique

Summary:
I purchased the 336is as soon as it became available on the market for a price of almost $700.00. And since then I have purchased the 99 models because of some improvements on design and price has dropped to about $450.00.

These speakers are very capable of reproducing the music with an incredible soundstage no matter what the volume level.

I would highly recommend these speakers for people who have the patience and or have a moderate to healthy budget.

Installation is of utmost importance and no corners can be cut if your really looking for sound quality such as I was.

I did the installation myself because of the extremely high price for the type of install that I wanted. The cost of the install would have been around $2,500 for the tweeters and midranges. The biggest cost factor were the air tight sealed enclosures for the mid's in my doors.

To be quite honest the procedure was very painstaking and time consuming. Because of the exensive planning and design work I put into the install, I can now play any type of music and hear amazing realism with stunning accuracy.

So if you're looking for a speaker that does it all, these are the ones. Only the PX series can deliver better sound
than the 336is series.

Strengths:
Sound quality especially at loud volume levels.

Weaknesses:
If you're looking for extremely clear music reproduction, it can be achieved, but getting their is difficult.

Similar Products Used:
I haven't used any other product. In my opinion the only other speaker that does compare is the a/d/s PX series,
and it is so much more speaker than the 336is series.