Speaker Help

outlawed

hey guys, i have a few questions.....

i am currently running a clarion cmd5 marine HU with some cheapo sony xplode 6x9's in my polaris rzr UTV. i am going to upgrade the speakers. this is an open air application.

i was looking at the db691 , mm691, db651, ect..

i was told the polk 6x9's really need an amp, is there any truth to that? will my HU 21w rms run the db's or mm's? will i get the volume that i get with my xplodes?

i thought the 6x9 would help me withvolume and bass since i wont be running an amp and sub. would i be better off running 6.5s? 2 6x9 and 2 6.5? what differences will i see between the 6x9 and 6.5?

these speakers will get dirty, wet, muddy, dusty and beat around. i dont expect them to last forever . i usually get around a year out of a set. do you think there will be a huge difference between the db and mm series in this open air application?

thanks

arun1963

1. Your HU is good for only 10-12 clean watts (low distortion). Forget the numbers that the manufacturers put out. This is about 40-45% of max volume at your hu.

2. In an open air application you would lose a ton of sound to wind and road noise etc. So if your speakers are running off the hu, you're not going to hear much while driving.

3. Change your speakers, see if you can put components up front. Where are the 6x9 installed? Components will give you better clarity in the mid range and higher frequencies. They are perfect if you'e going to

4. Get an amp to power your speakers.

outlawed

hey thanks for the response!

an amp is pretty much out of the question because it will get submerged.

i have been through 6 HU's and this clarion cmd5 seems to work the best. i cannot hear any distortion until its turned to 95% full volume.

the sonys actually sound good, play loud. actually get compliments on how well it sounds. i think is sounds better than you would expect a stereo to sound in a rig like this.

i just thought the polks would improve it even more.

arun1963

The db 651 + 691 would be a good jump over the sony xplode. No point wasting money on the mm series if you're going trash then within a year....lol

Phillips

How about using some baffles with the speakers to help with dirt/water/etc and also to help with bass since you're currently running free-air?

Example: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_237XT69/XTC-6-x9-Speaker-Baffles-5-depth.html?tp=660

That specific brand comes in a 5" and 3 3/4" depth.

For your application, the db series 6x9's would be nice. However, if the baffles can be used, and you can protect the speakers really well, get a nicer set.