[Drivesthebeast]

Well besides being loud, yeah, I found they were kinda pricey (not as expensive as the high end JBL, or MTX subs though), and well, I didn't like how they sound at all...like you said though, perhaps being considered "Top-Notch" is all about personal prefference...

BTW, I think that Clarion's subs and amps sound teriffic, and they are very affordable...got beat by a kid with a Civic with 2x 12" Clarions by like 1.5db last summer...I think that's coz he had a bigger amp, his box was ported, and he had an aftermarket HU...lol!