Brand New DB6501- Anyone's Advice Please!

corychessher

Hello everyone,
I'm completely new to this forum, but I just purchased a DB6501 set for my prelude and am somewhat disappointed. Before I go on may I say that my audio experience and knowledge is further than basic, but I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile (yet!). Anyways, I purchased this set on amazon for $125 after a couple weeks of scrutinizing online reviews between various makes and models of speakers. I have owned interior car speakers ranging from pioneer, to alpine, to infinity, to MB Quart; And head units ranging from JVC, to Sony, to Pioneer. I understand money is always an object with audio equipment, but I have to make due with my price range. So I install a new JVC Kd-A805 head unit in my Prelude, which is based on a previous JVC deck (same line, different model) I ran with MB quart speakers and sounded beautiful. Now I installed the new DB6501 component set yesterday (after 4 hours!), and am feeling a little disappointed with my decision. Keep in mind all speakers are installed properly, crossover wired correctly, positive/negative correct, foam backing around speakers, no fitment issues, and connections soldered! The speakers, which are run off the head unit, no amp if you were wondering, are very distorted sounding. There is practically no bass, the mids are scratchy (as I would describe), and the highs are ok but a little bright (not near as bad as Infinity). With the HPF on my head unit either set to off, 65 hz, or 95 hz; there is distortion before I get the volume 3/4 of the way up. That is also with setting all of the equalizer settings to zero (not negative, but zero). I heard many people claim they could crank these up full blast on their deck (with no amp) with no distortion whatsoever, sounding crystal clear!? Whatever advice some of the Polk enthusiasts in here have to offer, I would really appreciate it. I planned on getting a 4 channel amp down the road (I also have DB651's for the rear that should be in soon), but now I'm wondering if I should get different speakers? If these sound bad running off of 20 watts RMS, what will they sound like at 50-100 RMS? I feel like I'm doing something wrong here, help me out! Thanks- Cory

corychessher

What's up fellow audio tuners? No one has any input for my problem? Maybe these speakers have a long break in period, a wiring issue to look for, grounding, something?? PLEASE HELP ME!!! Lol sorry, but I'm pretty good at figuring out anything to do with audio equipment (at least better than my friends) and I'm stuck. Will an amp definitely fix this problem, any one who owns or has experienced these speakers I would appreciate your input so much! I really messed with all the settings today on my HU and they sound a little better. The distortion is still apparent above 3/4 volume, which I don't understand. A speaker rated at 100 RMS being supplied 20 RMS you would think, may not be super loud, but wouldn't distort. Are these speakers of such high quality compared to pioneer, alpine, etc. that they NEED an amplifier? I was so ready to be a Polk fan after everything I heard. My MB Quart 5 3/4" coaxials sounded superior in nearly every area (especially bass and zero distortion). But I still don't want to believe that. Help me to enjoy my new Polk components that I've waited literally over a year to save for!

zeppage2

Well, I have db651s in front and mm691s in the back of my Accord. The stock HU did not give me the dynamics I wanted. I added a PA500.4 amplifier and the speakers now slam hard; crisp highs and solid deep lows!
You can pick up the amp off the 'bay for about $235.

Insufficient power is the enemy of speakers. Generally, Polk speakers love and flourish with more power!

corychessher

Thank you very much for the response zeppage! I did some research and that seems to be the best amplifier for the price and quality to match this system. I have spent the past 3 days fumbling with my system and finally it sounds decent. I plan on adding amps and subs to my system in the future, at which point I am excited to hear the "hard low slaps" and "crisp highs" from my speakers, but want to enjoy them until that point (probably months away...). I have noticed many views from guests on my post, and I'm sure there are others of you out there feeling the same way. For those of you I have a couple of recommendations. I rewired the ground wire coming off my HU (head unit), as originally I ran it through the wiring harness. This I believe was causing small amounts of distortion, possibly a ground loop issue. I was unaware, but apparently it is pretty common knowledge to find a better ground when installing an aftermarket HU. The reason for this is that the wire for your ground on the wiring harness is like 18 gauge, or something similarly inadequate. The wiring harness ground also terminates who knows where, and runs past other electrical equipment which could cause interference. I recommend you not take the risk as finding a better ground isn't too difficult. Just make sure you use sandpaper for a solid metal connection. Also, at least without an amp, you need to set your crossover to -3. I tried various settings at 3 and +3, there is no way to remove the harshness at high volume levels, which you may easily be attributing to the mids as distortion. I enjoy loud highs, and surprisingly at -3 they are still very loud and crisp. Lastly turn on your HPF! I played with mine off, and set to 65 hz, 95 hz, and 135 hz. Using a frequency test tone cd I found what I would describe as clipping from low frequencies at high volumes. Turning the HPF to 65 hz resolved this issue. I believe using a proper amplifier may require completely different tuning, but if all you have is a head unit currently, try what I have recommended and I hope it helps you. I spent days of research and eventually used the frequency test tone cd to isolate these issues. Any other recommendations or comments are appreciated!

Mr.Underhill

corychessher wrote: »

Thank you very much for the response zeppage! I did some research and that seems to be the best amplifier for the price and quality to match this system. I have spent the past 3 days fumbling with my system and finally it sounds decent. I plan on adding amps and subs to my system in the future, at which point I am excited to hear the "hard low slaps" and "crisp highs" from my speakers, but want to enjoy them until that point (probably months away...). I have noticed many views from guests on my post, and I'm sure there are others of you out there feeling the same way. For those of you I have a couple of recommendations. I rewired the ground wire coming off my HU (head unit), as originally I ran it through the wiring harness. This I believe was causing small amounts of distortion, possibly a ground loop issue. I was unaware, but apparently it is pretty common knowledge to find a better ground when installing an aftermarket HU. The reason for this is that the wire for your ground on the wiring harness is like 18 gauge, or something similarly inadequate. The wiring harness ground also terminates who knows where, and runs past other electrical equipment which could cause interference. I recommend you not take the risk as finding a better ground isn't too difficult. Just make sure you use sandpaper for a solid metal connection. Also, at least without an amp, you need to set your crossover to -3. I tried various settings at 3 and +3, there is no way to remove the harshness at high volume levels, which you may easily be attributing to the mids as distortion. I enjoy loud highs, and surprisingly at -3 they are still very loud and crisp. Lastly turn on your HPF! I played with mine off, and set to 65 hz, 95 hz, and 135 hz. Using a frequency test tone cd I found what I would describe as clipping from low frequencies at high volumes. Turning the HPF to 65 hz resolved this issue. I believe using a proper amplifier may require completely different tuning, but if all you have is a head unit currently, try what I have recommended and I hope it helps you. I spent days of research and eventually used the frequency test tone cd to isolate these issues. Any other recommendations or comments are appreciated!

Thanks for the input on setting the HeadUnit HPF. I have a Pioneer AVIC-F700bt and I could not find a thing on setting the HPF at the head-unit -- especially b/c I am currently not powering an amp of any kind...yet. I have the DB6501 components and the DB 6500 coaxials int he rear.

Since your post did you upgrade to an AMP? I am trying to settle on one and I am having a hard time balancing cost and product. I was thinking of a CRUNCH, but then someone suggested a Kenwood KAC-6202... and then another friend is selling a Fosgate Punch 200.4... I am no so confused... what did you wind up doing?

corychessher

I got rid of the speakers I could not afford an amp so I got some cheap pioneer's. They sound way better with a lot more bass response. The speakers should come with a disclaimer stating: AMP NECESSARY. I looked into amps, anything that will give them sufficient power without sacrificing quality will cost you 200-600 dollars plus installation. There is a 4 channel polk amp that should pair nicely for about $300 if you have the money.

F1nut

Hilarious

kawizx9r

"Polk sucks"

That's a first :eek:

What'd you do with the Polk speakers? I'll take them off your hands...