Difference between MW 6510 and MW 6503 Drivers

wrich22

I had to buy new drivers for one of my SDA-1c's because they were damaged
in shipment when I bought them. The replacement driver for the MW 6510 is the MW6503. I have one speaker that has 2 MW 6511's and 2 MW 6510's and the other has 2 new MW6511's and 2 new MW6503's. The cones on the MW6503's breakup and distort at loud volumes. I have interchanged every possible combination of speakers, amplifier connections but the two MW6503's distort. I even tried running a MW6503 and MW6510 in each speaker and then they both distort. the MW6503 does not appear to be a direct replacement???? The only thing I have not done is buy two more MW6503's so I have a mirror image set please help.

Bill

DarqueKnight

Who told you that the replacement driver for the MW6510 is the MW6503?

The MW6503 and MW6510 are not electrically identical, or there would be no need for different model. I measured the DC resistances of one of the MW6503 drivers from my 1.2TL's and one of the MW6510 drivers from my CRS+'s. They both measured 6.6 ohms. However, the suspension of the MW6503 is much stiffer than that of the MW6510.

In the SDA 2B, the MW6503 "replaced" the MW6510 that was used in the previous SDA 2A, but there was also a change in crossover design to go along with the driver change. In the CRS+, the MW6510 "replaced" the MW6503 that was used in the previous CRS. Again, there was a change in crossover design to go along with the driver change.

Sometimes a different driver will work as a replacement in some SDA models if a simple crossover modification is done (e.g. adding a resistor in series with the replacement driver, etc.).

Loud & Clear

Isn't it the case that Polk, which no longer stocks the 6510, sells you the 6503 as the replacement? I seem to recall that, although my memory isn't always the best.

I have listened to a new 6503 before and didn't get distortion, although it was in a Monitor 7, so it was used as a single driver and shared no interaction with another mid driver. I wonder what might happen if you replaced all of your drivers in one speaker with the new 6503s. Perhaps nothing but additional distortion, although I'm curious. Considering that there was damage to the drivers, it's possible there may be additional damage inside the speaker.

wrich22

Polk customer service Eric Wong said the MW6510 was no longer made and was replaced by the MW6503. originally I had 3 bad drivers out 4 so I bought a Pair of MW6511's and 1 MW6503 which I installed with the remaining MW6510 which was good. After getting alot of distortion, I called Eric back and ordered and an additional MW6503. to have a matched set. Still had distortion. I then interchanged speakers between cabinets and the effect is still the same. The MW 6503's do not have the cone movement like the MW6510's . When I talked with Eric the second time said the the speakers were new and needed to break in. However I didn't have that problem with the new MW6511's I bought.

Bill

DarqueKnight

I have never dealt with Eric before, so I do not know how knowlegeable he is about SDA's. I would advise you to call customer service and ask to speak to Ken Swauger. If he cannot answer your question, he will forward it to someone in Polk's engineering department who can.

As I stated previously, there may be some crossover modification required before the MW6503 can be used in the SDA 1C.

wrich22

Thanks

Eric W

wrich22 wrote:

Polk customer service Eric Wong said the MW6510 was no longer made and was replaced by the MW6503. originally I had 3 bad drivers out 4 so I bought a Pair of MW6511's and 1 MW6503 which I installed with the remaining MW6510 which was good. After getting alot of distortion, I called Eric back and ordered and an additional MW6503. to have a matched set. Still had distortion. I then interchanged speakers between cabinets and the effect is still the same. The MW 6503's do not have the cone movement like the MW6510's . When I talked with Eric the second time said the the speakers were new and needed to break in. However I didn't have that problem with the new MW6511's I bought.

Bill

The MW6510 is no longer available through us and the MW6503 is the substitute. It is *close* but not an exact match. Here's some of the basic differences:

6510 vs 6503
Q 1.82 vs 1.39
BL 5.24 vs 6.62 N /AMP
Compliance 3.55E-3 vs 3.41E-3 N/M
DCR 6.54 vs 6.57 ohms
Fs 29 vs 31 Hz.

jakelm

The Q value does show that the 6503 does have a slightly tighter driver. And the higher BL value suggest more control. So in looking at those 2 (Q and BL), the 6503 is a better driver.

ben62670

jakelm wrote:

The Q value does show that the 6503 does have a slightly tighter driver. And the higher BL value suggest more control. So in looking at those 2 (Q and BL), the 6503 is a better driver.

What effect does this have on speaker cabinet volume(ie cubic feet)?

jakelm

ben62670 wrote:

What effect does this have on speaker cabinet volume(ie cubic feet)?

I was comparing just driver for driver. The cabinet will have an effect on responce as will crossover and amp. But looking at the T/S parameters , the 6503 is the better driver, but very slightly. The 6503 should have the same effect as the 6510, with maybe a slight drop in bass responce, or should I say "tighter" bass responce.

jakelm

I had the same "bass" issue when replacing the 6500's in my 7b's. The 6503, being a stiffer driver, had a slightly less bass responce than the 6500. The 6500's would have a slight pop when driven too hard, which the 6503's do not. After listening to the 6503's over time, I have grown used to the slight difference, and enjoy them very much.

Jockos

I just discovered one of my 6510's in my RTA 11T's has gone south. Hopefully I can find a replacement. If I do have to go with the 6503's should I replace them all? or would just replacing 1 in each speaker be ok. Thanks Jockos

Raiko

Well, I emailed Polk CS about getting a 6503 to replace a bad 6510 in an RTA 11t and they said that the 6503 was NOT recommended to replace the 6510. They also said that they may have more 6510's available around September.

So, there seems to be some conflicting info coming from Polk with Eric saying the 6503 can be used as a substitute and another CS rep saying it shouldn't be.

Not sure what to do now other than wait and hope a 6510 shows up I guess.

Any thoughts?

F1nut

Polk was telling folks that the 6503 was the closest subsitute for the 6510 because they were not making the 6510. They have now committed to making the 6510 again, so if you can wait until they release them I'd get the 6510 and be done with it.

arscolumbia1

Does anyone know where I can get a mw6510 driver?

pitdogg2

Ebay.