HDClown

All are 5.25" Compoennts. I've ready about issues with the Diamond HEX S5.0 woofer lacking in midbass alot, so I'm considering swapping them out as a fix to my problems. Here's a list of stuff I've seen recommended. Be aware MBQuart is not in the list as I do not want those. Tweets are just to harsh for me. I have the ability to listen to the JLs and that's it locally.

Oz Audio Matrix 130CS
Focal 136K
Boston Pro 5.5
JL XR525-CS

Who has compared any of these side by side?

98Blue

I have compared boston to MB and a lot of other not on your list. Boston is by far the best

A3 4 Me

I found it nearly impossible to compare anything but VERY high end or VERY low-end speakers side-by-side. And even then only a couple of brands at a time. I compared Bostons with a relatively unknown speaker called Rainbow (made somewhere in Germany - sounded BETTER than Bostons BTW and were cheaper). Also compared my Focal 136k speakers to Diamond Hex side-by-side (not enough difference to justify the cost increase for the Diamonds IMHO).

I think you'll have a really hard time finding a shop that carries all those brands to demo them. Once you get to the higher-end stuff, they seem to have only a couple of brands.

DrJoshSC

I've never heard the Diamonds, but it's possible you want more midbass than a 5.25" is going to provide... I know I'd have 6.5" if I could...

HIS4

Oz Audio Matrix 130CS - Never heard them

Focal 136K - I've heard a set of the Utopia series and wasn't all that impressed. Using MB Quarts as a reference, the Focal has a little more midbass and the treble is more refined but I didn't care for the midrange response. Seems the midrange is overemphasized.

Boston Pro 5.5 - If you don't like the harshness of the MB's then you probably wouldn't like these either. They are very bright but with more bass response than MB's. Easiest way to describe the response is like a "happy face" curve. Emphasized bass and treble and supressed midrange.

JL Audio XR525-CS - I heard these a couple months ago and was very surprised with what I heard. Very smooth response throughout the spectrum and just that little step up in midbass that you may be looking for. I was even more surprised when I found out they were only $250/set.

HDClown

Reason woudl be it's possible other 5.25" drivers will offer more midbass than the diamonds (according to what I've ready).

I also run into the situation where another component (like Focal) which has different sized speaker/tweeter muight not fit in the kicks so I have to ditch the kicks and move to the doors or get new kicks made. Not a big deal in retrospect though.

Perhaps if I know it's possible to fit a 6.5" woofer in the door I'd just go that route.

I'd ideally rather NOT add speakers behind me, and stick with my kicks/doors up front.

Polar Avant

Definitely Focal if midbass/range is what you are looking for.

Ted K

I also have 6.2s and two 8.4LFs and they all sound very nice.

AusTTn

Check out the Phoenix Gold Titanium series, they are made by Morel, and are trully reference.

rcurley55

Image Dynamics chameleon coponents can provide you some great midbass. They are also available in 2 ohm models, so you can squeak more power from your amp (assuming you are not using JL).

Have you thought about a/d/s/ 3 series or CDT HD's? Just a few other names to add to your shopping list.