Polk DXi650 Wattage Confusion/Chaos

ShadowTowel

Hi Everyone!

I'm about to hook up my car with some awesome new Polk speakers, but am truly baffled in my efforts to find the correct specs on the DXi650's. I'm installing MM651's in the front doors, and will be installing either DB651's or DXi650's in the rear. I was initially going to get the DB's, but then I found a great deal on the DXi's, and noticed that the wattage is higher on the DXi's. However, upon searching on various websites, I've noticed that the wattage ratings differ!

My question: do the DXi's handle 200W peak (100 RMS) OR 180W peak (60 RMS)?

Sources of Confusion:

Best Buy says 200/100:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Polk+Audio+-+6-1/2%22+Coaxial+Loudspeakers+with+Poly-Mica+Cones+(Pair)/9985099.p?id=1218205765007&skuId=9985099

On the mobile version of the website, it states BOTH on the same page! It shows the 180/60W, then you scroll down and it shows the 200/100W!!

Crutchfield says 180/60:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8REWod1mQfi/p_107DXI650/Polk-Audio-DXi650.html

PASMAG says 200/100:

http://www.pasmag.com/car-audio/test-reports/1568-polk-audio-dxi650-speakers

eBay says 180/60:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-6-1-2-6-5-Coaxial-DX-Speakers-DXI650-PAIR-/130556245862?_trksid=m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D30%26pmod%3D250864685490%26ps%3D50


Hopefully you can understand my confusion now. Can someone confirm the ACTUAL wattage of these speakers? I'm hooking them up to a 4 channel, 950 watt amp by Crunch (so likely not actually 950 watts). I am really hoping they are 100 watts RMS so that my MM's can get 100 RMS from my amp also. If the DXi's only handle 60, I'll have to lower my amp and lower the juice going to the MM's. Oh well. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Oh, and any general input about the DXi650 vs. DB651 would be appreciated as well!!

Thanks everyone! :cheesygrin:

ShadowTowel

DSkip wrote: »

It doesn't really matter either way. 100 vs. 60 isn't going to change much, especially on a crunch amp. As long as they aren't being pushed into distortion, you're good. DXi vs. DB is essentially a moot point as well. Get whatever you can find the best deal on.

This isn't exactly the answers you're looking for, but it is what your questions boil down to.

True, this isn't the exact answer I wanted, but it is helpful! I'm just very curious about the dispute in wattage. I would think it would have to say the true specs on the box - so why the disparity among sellers?

Do you think that Crunch amps are that terrible? I got the PZT950.4 on Black Friday for about $75. I'm on a tight budget, but want to make sure and get some power to my new MM's! It had pretty nice reviews all around, and it seems that even if it is overrated in terms of power, it should still push my MM's nicely. Am I misguided in that thinking?

I had a feeling the DXi vs DB would be a wash, but I don't know why the DXi series exists if this is true. It also seems to have a higher MSRP, so I figured maybe it did indeed have a higher max wattage.

Anyway, thanks for shedding some light on the topic! I'm new to the amp-ing scene.

nguyendot

What makes you think that higher wattage = higher cost? Those two things have nothing in relation. That's like saying a CTS-V should be more than a Bentley, because it can go around a track faster.

ShadowTowel

I completely understand what you mean - and the analogy was spot-on. Similarly, I've seen flashlights sold for $10 that claim to be 90 lumens, while others sell for $50 and are only 80 lumens (focusing ability being the missing factor). I know that's kind of a random example, but it popped in my mind when you mentioned the Bentley.

However, I am working under the assumption that the DB and DXi series are roughly the same audio quality; therefore I'd prefer the one that has the higher wattage level (mostly from fear of blowing a speaker). Am I incorrect in this thinking?

dorokusai

The power rating is what is stated on here, Polk HQ 180/60wpc, nowhere else. I'm not understanding the issue since you're here. Yes, the two series are pretty close to one another but power ratings have nothing to do with one another. You're not going to blow them up unless you go insane and hook up a 1000wpc Mono Subwoofer amplifier to them....get my drift? You're fine, get what fits the hole and the budget and you can't lose with either choice.

The reason they are so close in parameters is due to overlapping lines and changes. This is an evolving market(12v) and business and product line will always reflect that.

I will forward this to the ppl who actually change policy and let them know that erroneous figures are being posted. The retailer is contracturally obligated to represent the product correctly, period. Thanks for pointing this out.

Mark
Polk CS

ShadowTowel

dorokusai wrote: »

The power rating is what is stated on here, Polk HQ 180/60wpc, nowhere else. I'm not understanding the issue since you're here. Yes, the two series are pretty close too one another but power ratings have nothing to do with one another. You're not going to blow them up unless you go insane and hook up a 1000wpc Mono Subwoofer amplifier to them....get my drift? You're fine, get what fits the hole and the budget and you can't lose with either choice.

The reason they are so close in parameters is due to overlapping lines and changes. This is an evolving market(12v) and business and product line will always reflect that.

I will forward this to the ppl who actually change policy and let them know that erroneous figures are being posted. The retailer is contracturally obligated to represent the product correctly, period. Thanks for pointing this out.

Mark
Polk CS

Thanks Mark,

My gut told me that the manufacturer should have it correct on their website, but it wouldn't be the first time a manufacturer had an error on their website if Polk indeed had one. I wouldn't have hesitated to believe the 180/60 numbers if it weren't for the fact that the 200/100 wattage ratings are ALL OVER the internet. I mean, I find an equal number of 200/100 ratings as I do the 180/60 ratings. I've honestly never run into anything like this before.

Best Buy in particular really made me raise my eyebrow, since they are an authorized seller of the product. Places like eBay are notorious for incorrect information, but the BB website made me really wonder what was going on with those ratings.

Thanks for the information - time to snag a deal on one of the two sets! :-)

dorokusai

ShadowTowel wrote: »

Thanks Mark,

My gut told me that the manufacturer should have it correct on their website, but it wouldn't be the first time a manufacturer had an error on their website if Polk indeed had one. I wouldn't have hesitated to believe the 180/60 numbers if it weren't for the fact that the 200/100 wattage ratings are ALL OVER the internet. I mean, I find an equal number of 200/100 ratings as I do the 180/60 ratings. I've honestly never run into anything like this before.

Best Buy in particular really made me raise my eyebrow, since they are an authorized seller of the product. Places like eBay are notorious for incorrect information, but the BB website made me really wonder what was going on with those ratings.

Thanks for the information - time to snag a deal on one of the two sets! :-)

No problem ST. It's important for you folks to let Polk know these things as its too big of a machine to ensure that every single aspect is being posted properly. They do a very good job but still need our collective userbase to be involved and feedback is vital.

I would hope that you'll post some photos of the install since you're gloating, haha, about what you're buying and installing right?? I put a couple pairs of DXi in my work truck since I spend so much time in it. I couldn't handle the cardboard POS speakers that Ford provided and I'm SOOO much happier now.

You may find that they don't have a lot of bass at first but give them a couple weeks to really break in. The change for me on that same DXi series was painfully obvious after some time was spent trying to burn them up. Good luck.

Mark

ShadowTowel

Haha well I'm going to do the install of the speakers myself (gulp), but the amp installation I'm having Fry's do ($80 plus price of power kit). So I can take some pics of the installation of the speakers! My ride is a 2012 Hyundai Sonata SE, and I've been told by a few owners of the same car that the Polk's fit (although Crutchfield's website says otherwise). I'm hoping this all goes fairly smoothly, because I'm new to this.

My setup will include MM651's in the front doors, and a pair of DXi650's in the rear doors. They will be powered by a Crunch PZT950.4. I'm expecting a large increase in quality over the OEM paper cone crap speakers they put in my car. Can't wait to remove those and see if they disintegrate in my hands.

I had emailed Polk on this issue, and their response was as follows (if anyone's interested):

Hi,

Sorry for the confusion on the SPECS on these speakers. The specs that are posted on the website are the actual specs for these speakers. However, the boxes and manuals do have lower ratings that were released before getting the final testing.

The true test is the sound and the DXi plays louder and sounds better.

In A/B Testing of the DXi vs. DB, the DXi wins because the DXi has:

* Increased sensitivity
* Enhanced material technologies
* Optimized grille design
* Improved crossover

Hope this helps.

Breanna Diaz
polkaudio
Customer Service Representative-Technical Support