Hi all,

I recently installed Polk db6501 component speakers driven off a kenwood aftermarket head unit. The tweeters can be quite shrill especially on "s" sounds. I have the crossover adjusted at -3db as well, and its still somewhat shrill. Is it because I'm underpowering the speakers driving them off only the head unit, or is this just how the db6501s sound?

If installing an amp will make the tweeters sound nice and smooth I would do it, but if it is still going to be shrill but louder, I won't bother since the speakers are way too loud as it is right now. But I'm not sure if the shrill sound is a product of the head unit distorting at that power level or of the speaker design. Any thought from people who own the speakers?

 

Oh, I should add that the speakers are shrill pretty much across all volumes (as long as its loud enough to hear easily).

 

I can't speak about 6501s, but I rejected 6500s for just that reason. I ended up installing Infinity Reference components driven by a Pioneer headunit and I am satisfied with that setup.

Although some people install amps to get more volume, the real reason to amp is to get lower distortion (which is pretty silly in a car this loud - clean sound that can be heard over it will likely shorten the life of your inner ears) or to handle speakers that have low impedance and/or efficiency. Perhaps amping these speakers would help but I doubt it. What you should do is go compare how they sound amped vs driven by a headunit at your local car stereo store. Just make sure that all tone controls, equalizers, etc. are turned off so that you can get a fair comparison.

 

Polk Audio's tweeter speakers are bright - some people like that, some don't - did you listen to the speakers before you put them in?

I would set your treble to -3 or so on the HU and see if that helps for starters. Adding an amp will give you greater control over the highs and will give you more power to boost the bass aka a sub.

 

I have mine mounted on the grill covering the woofer and they sound great as I'm losing a bit of the highs.

 

dBs are known to sound bright.

 

Interesting- I have purchased many Infinity speakers for just that reason- very bright sound relative to other speakers(I call them "crisp"). The Polk dB6500 I bought without listening to them and I have been pleasantly surprised how similar they are to Infinity systems. They are also very efficient and do well with the low power of the stock headunit.

 

Both infinity and dbs are bright speakers

 

i have db6501 and they are bright but have no bass... im going to change them out soon

 

I had the 6500s in my MR2, and they were too bright for me. I could never get it adjusted so that it was comfortable to listen to and sounded good at the same time.

For the S2000, I went with JL Audio, and couldn't be happier with the sound.