alpine 50.1CS 2-Way Component Systemw/Outboard Crossover

Price Paid:  $175.00

Summary:
Very good component speakers. When powered adequately, these speakers can produce full rich sound. Kick panel mounting is recommended and at least 50rms per channel power. I have mine hooked up to a spatial equalizer, and that made the sound even more full and rich. The tweeters are silk, so they're not harsh and piercing. For the price they're going for now, they're hard to beat for the money. They sound fuller than the reference series, but not quite better than the Perfects.

Strengths:
Price. I wish I waited a little longer for the price went down by 1/2 of what I paid. Sound quality. Silk tweeters.

Weaknesses:
Requires a good high power amplifier to get the best out of these speakers. Door mounting is difficult due to deep magnets.

Similar Products Used:
Polk db, Boston Rally.

Summary:
These Kappas sound great for no amp hooked up to it yet. I think they are starving for power. The value is there. I paid $185 on ebay. SQaudio shorted me a tweeter but infinity came to the rescue and helped me out with bigger tweeters. I would definitely recommend these for the price.

Strengths:
Reasonable price. Sweet plush mount adjustable tweeters.

Weaknesses:
Deep mounting depth. The magnets go balls-deep into my 1992 Ranger doors so the windows didn't clear. I had to invert the grills and use them as spacers and then had to cut out the factory plastic grills. Bitc to install.

Similar Products Used:
Various others at showrooms.

Summary:
Kudos to my dealer, who recommended these despite my concerns about price. I paid $350/pair plus installation.

These babies love power -- I'm driving them with an Alpine V12 amp rated at 122 watts per channel -- and you won't be happy with them unless your amp can drive at least 50 watts per channel RMS, preferably twice that.

For the price, they are the best speakers I have heard to date. Granted, they aren't the best speakers in the world, but when given A LOT of power and some decent tweaking, amazing results can be had.

Strengths:
-Clean clear and very accurate sound reproduction, you can hear the little nuances of the music you're listening to.
-Love the bass that comes out of these mids, no rattle or humm just clear punch.
-They can take a lot of stinkin power without distortion

Weaknesses:
-The midrange could have a little more presence but that all can be fixed with the use of an EQ or some power from and amp.
-It seems like you need at least 50 watts to even begin to hear the potential of these speakers.

Similar Products Used:
Alpine, Polk, Diamond Audio, Infinity, Kenwood

Year / Model Reviewed:
 infinity kappa 60.1 cs

Summary:
I had problems with the midrange but it was caused by my crossover. They sound far better than my MTX ThunderPro Series. Also require a very good amplifier to drive them but they are really good when you give them juice.

Strengths:
Very good definition on the highs. Tight bass and are easily adaptable with all kinds of systems.

Weaknesses:
midrange does not completly cover all frequencies.

Similar Products Used:
ThunderPro from MTX .