car audio. Sorry I know this isnt a car audio site

[grizzlyman]

Sorry again but I would really like some help on my truck. I was thinking about polk db6501 for the front and db651 for the rear. Also a mtx amplified thunderform subs with a kenwood kvt-512 head unit. Does any one have polk in their car and what do they sound like? Also any recommendations for other speakers for a total price of $600 or less just for the speakers, not subs and headunit. I already have factory tweeters with four door speakers. Thanks for any help

 

[unreal.freak]

Sorry again but I would really like some help on my truck. I was thinking about polk db6501 for the front and db651 for the rear. Also a mtx amplified thunderform subs with a kenwood kvt-512 head unit. Does any one have polk in their car and what do they sound like? Also any recommendations for other speakers for a total price of $600 or less just for the speakers, not subs and headunit. I already have factory tweeters with four door speakers. Thanks for any help

Whats the make/year is your truck? Polk makes some excellent automotive speakers.

 

[annunaki]

I like JL Audio or Alpine type-X for speakers in the car. Boston Acoustics & Infinity are nice also.

 

[zumbo]

MB Quart!
JL subs.
Alpine or Eclipse H/U

 

[ErinH]

Are you going with a surround sound setup (5.1)? If not, I see no reason to put rear speakers in a car, and especially see no reason to amplify them.

You want to go passive, I assume?

My vote would be for this type of setup:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_10648_Alpine+SPX-17PRO.html?gclid=CPSu397F2ZUCFR0RnQodEUdrXw

amp'd with:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-PDX-2-150-300W-RMS-2-Chan-AMPLIFIER-AMP-PDX2-150_W0QQitemZ170196692808QQcmdZViewItem

You can bi-amp those passives, though, so you could always go with this amp:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PDX-4-100-ALPINE-400-WATT-DIGITAL-4-CHANNEL-AMP-NEW-08_W0QQitemZ250294265229QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250294265229&_trkparms=72:1163|39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


IMO, that would be an excellent setup. Those speakers are great. I have the separates (set without the passive x-over) going in my wife's car this fall. I'll be running the setup actively off a kenwood x4r amp which has a lot of built-in DSP.

The PDX's are nice because they are incredibly small. You can obviously get a 2 or 4 channel amp cheaper but you also won't find anything that small. If you're not limited to space you have a lot of options.

Here's a couple shots of the raw type-x drivers:

The 17x mid is on the left:

 

[EJ1]

Are you going with a surround sound setup (5.1)? If not, I see no reason to put rear speakers in a car, and especially see no reason to amplify them.

At least leave the stock rears for some fill.

 

[grizzlyman]

Its a 1998 Dodge Ram Quad cab. It has an infinity sound system from the factory. A tweeter in each A-pillar and speakers in the front and rear doors. The one front door speaker is blown and that's why I was thinking about changing them

 

[GlocksRock]

MB Quart!
JL subs.
Alpine or Eclipse H/U

Yeah, that is what I'm talking about!

I'm considering a new headunit and it's between an Alpine and an Eclipse, just not sure which one I should get. I have an Alpine now, but have never used Eclipse, but I like the 5 volt preout vs. Alpine's 4 Volt.

 

[ErinH]

At least leave the stock rears for some fill.

Why? I would think, being an 'audioholics' site you guys would understand the reasoning for not using rear fill.

but I like the 5 volt preout vs. Alpine's 4 Volt.

That's what the gain on an amplifier is for.

 

[Haoleb]

From visiting some of the local car audio shops, I think that Focal is currently at the top for popularity and sound quality. Havent really heard them myself though.

Of course they could just make a nice profit on that line too. Seems like all the car audio places ive been to, the staff is very rude and immature. Not surprising I dont think.

 

[zumbo]

Focal/JMlab is nice. Certainly my second choice for mids/tweets.

 

[unreal.freak]

Its a 1998 Dodge Ram Quad cab. It has an infinity sound system from the factory. A tweeter in each A-pillar and speakers in the front and rear doors. The one front door speaker is blown and that's why I was thinking about changing them

The Polks will be a great set if thats what you like. All the brands mentioned in this thread would be good, but most of them will be very similar in sound quality as the Polks you are looking at. If you are set on the Polk speakers, you can buy them with confidence. You will be getting a great quality speaker.

I always seemed to be more drawn to the higher end JL Audio Stuff when it comes to seperates. I have been most impressed with their clarity and power handling.

Here is a couple of links to some nice equipment

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealthbox_detail.php?fit_id=1437
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_components.php?comp_id=61
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_components.php?comp_id=124

This stuff can be had at crutchfield also.

Hope you can get a good idea from all the info in this thread, Theres alot of different brands mentioned, most all of them are excellent in quality. If you still are unsure, go to some different shops and ask to demo what they carry. Most all of the shops have someone who has this stuff in thier own automobile, that is willing to show it off

Peace,
Tommy

 

[grizzlyman]

I think I'm going to go with http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/5-14/speakers/sr5250/ for the fronts and rears. For subs http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=530&i=13690477&tp=113. Should I use a Polk amp for the speakers and a JL amp for the subs or will any amp sound the same? Thanks for all the help. I'm sure the other speakers sound just as good or better as Polk but I just can't get over Polk.

 

[unreal.freak]

I think I'm going to go with http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/5-14/speakers/sr5250/ for the fronts and rears. For subs http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=530&i=13690477&tp=113. Should I use a Polk amp for the speakers and a JL amp for the subs or will any amp sound the same? Thanks for all the help. I'm sure the other speakers sound just as good or better as Polk but I just can't get over Polk.

I would try and stay with a good brand amp.....its not a big deal if you stray away from the JL or Polk amps, as long as you get a good brand amp you will be fine. Also get an amp that has plenty of power. If you go with an amp that is too small, you will be turning the volume up trying to get the level you like and the speakers will likely be clipping due to the lack of power. in short you CAN damage your speakers from underpowering them. Good luck.... and let us know how it turns out!!

Peace,
Tommy

 

[GlocksRock]

check out the elemental designs NINe.4 amp for your highs, I just got mine installed last night, and it has plenty of power, and sounds great. www.edesignaudio.com

 

[GlocksRock]

you can see a pic of my amp(s) installed here so you can get a better idea of what it looks like.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=457224&postcount=35

 

[unreal.freak]

Nice clean install, GlocksRock.

 

[ErinH]

i've been through quite a bit of equipment in the last year, and have done tons of research.

I still say the Alpines are a solid choice, especially at the price. Get whatever amp you need that will fit space and power requirements. Watts are watts. Don't believe the hype.

Since we're sharing pictures, here's my install thread. A lot to scroll through,though.
http://diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21873&highlight=2006+civic

 

[GlocksRock]

Very nice work, looks like you spent a ton of cash on that car so far, and I bet it sound amazing.

 

[ErinH]

Thanks.

I've spent much more time than actual money. I'd say I've got a solid 100+hours in labor time alone. In terms of ‘time value of money’ I’ve spent a LOT of money (time).


The equipment I’m running was all bought fairly cheap new, or bought used. I have a friend who is a Scanspeak dealer so I was able to forego MSRP and get dealer pricing on some things.

I’m taking it to a local shop this weekend to get them to do some fabrication and cutting. I don’t have the time or equipment to do it. After I get it back it’ll be done.


I’m looking forward to moving on to something a bit easier than car audio. Being crammed up in the trunk and ripping a car apart isn’t fun and it isn’t easy on my back. I’d much rather build floorstanding towers than fiberglass a-pillars, and I look forward to laying wire down in a house rather than gutting the car and running wire.