Used to use only premiums/Q series in my old cars, but I'm looking for something lower budget in this car, just to get me by since I hate the stock ITR stereo system so much and the headunit is being replaced anyhow(CD read error constantly)..

my question: is there a meaningful difference between the reference and discus lines? ie, can I save myself a few bucks and go discus and not sacrifice much quality? this is no competition stereo.. just something that sounds a lot better than stock and won't break my wallet..

also, have that many improvements been made between say a DSC and a DSE to go with the slightly more expensive DSE?

any input would be appreciated..

 

I guess it depends on how good your ear is, there is a diff., the Discus, [compering 6.5" componants] F/R 40 - 32K 50 - 120 watts handling and a cheep *** x-over, the Premium are F/R 38 - 32K 60 - 130 watts handling and MBs MUSiCOMP x-over. I sure as hell could tell the diff., but would I care, I don't think so, if all I wanted to do was get some good sound into my car, you really can't go wrong with any of the MB Quart line. 94

 

I'd just fooking throw in some Discus 6.5" coax's and call it a day. Save money, weight, install time, and keep imaging centralized. Especially w/small, titanium tweeters, it's better to keep them on axis and further away. Unless ofcourse you've got a clean amp like the '05 Alpine V12 4ch's w/triple-darlington circuitry.. oooohhh so nice All that harsh bullshit that people say about MB's.. hope they know that it's from their inferior amplifiers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mstewar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my question: is there a meaningful difference between the reference and discus lines? </TD></TR></TABLE>

the main thing would be the tweeter size and dome. the reference series uses more recent mbquart technology (the current PCE series use the tweeter now from the original 218.61Q series while the more recent QSD216 uses the same tweeter with a aluminum housing) and everything trickles down over the years.

The DSC216 discus for example is basically the same exactly thing as the reference 218.03cx component set from 1996, except for the basket which was steel like the 218.03cx.

all of the discus coaxials aren't real mb quarts and are subcontracted to factories in the far east. or at least that was the case before rockford bought them out.

You usually get a bigger tweeter with the more expensive models. that is the main difference. mb quart was never accurate with their specs. some things would be rated in +/- 3dB, some and +/- 10dB the larger the tweeter, generally the more bright, harsh, ear piercing, revealing... aka louder the tweeters will sound.

You put the PSC216 up to a set of RCE216 on the soundboard and the RCE216s don't have as much of that characteristic MBQ sparkle, but if you mount the components in the doors factory location (tweeter location too) it will probably sound relavitely well balance balanced.

hope this helps.

 

Great Thread