Polk DB 522 and 652 - Crutchfield

Amplifier adds power (loudness)
DSP (digital sound processor) controls the sound quality

Head units have built in DSPs so you do not need one, nor an amp, unless you need more power.

If you stream and use a USB, then you should look into this one. Chris just purchased one so you can ask him how he likes it. Great price to pay for streaming and you get a lot of controls to play with to optimize sound. Also compare with Alpine CDE line up, like the 143BT.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZA1RGKSdRiG/p_113BT322U/Kenwood-KMM-BT322U.html?source=pjn&subid=43737
The new Polk speakers are plenty loud as it is.. No need for an amp right now. May have to check this HU out.. @Chris you happy with it???
 
The new Polk speakers are plenty loud as it is.. No need for an amp right now. May have to check this HU out.. @Chris you happy with it???

I haven't installed mine yet. The speakers just got here today, and now all I'm waiting on is the amp to power the new Kicker sub. I want to do it all at once, that's why I'm waiting for everything to get here.
 
3 day shipping. Impressive! If anyone needs some speaker adapter plates for the dash speakers to convert to a 5.25" speaker, I have a pair you can have. I already have the adapters, and Crutchfield sent the adapter plates along with the factory pigtail adapters along with the speakers. Also impressive!

Crutchfield is great. Excellent service.
 
Chris, I'm trying to choose between replacing my factory sub speaker with the one you chose or replace the factory console and sub with a Tuffy console and separate sub box in the back. Looking forward to your report. Thanks.
 
When you have two kids under 6, you don't have much of a choice, haha.
No doubt. 6 and 8 here. They are good at holding flashlights though! Haha!

So. Sorry. One more completely noob audio question... I just installed the new Polk 5.25 in the dash and sound bar, for the first time really cranked up the tunes to see how it sounds at a loud volume. Sounded great. But the my Head Unit turned off for a few seconds, then turned back on. Happened a few times. Are the speakers drawing too much power and overloading the HU? Never happened before.
 
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No doubt. 6 and 8 here. They are good at holding flashlights though! Haha!

So. Sorry. One more completely noob audio question... I just installed the new Polk 5.25 in the dash and sound bar, for the first time really cranked up the tunes to see how it sounds at a loud volume. Sounded great. But the my Head Unit turned off for a few seconds, then turned back on. Happened a few times. Are the speakers drawing too much power and overloading the HU? Never happened before.

Correct, what head unit do you have? We need to figure out what the internal amp puts out, as the first thing that comes to my mind is what you said, the speakers are drawing to much power, it better worded the head unit's internal amp may be failing.

It could be a loose wire as well, but let's see what head unit you have first .
 
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Chris, I'm trying to choose between replacing my factory sub speaker with the one you chose or replace the factory console and sub with a Tuffy console and separate sub box in the back. Looking forward to your report. Thanks.

It depends on you and your music. Like if I want to throw on some beastie boys or heavy bass then the volume must not be turned up else my center console rattles along with everything inside. But when I listen to certain metal or classic rock the center console bass is sufficient.

But remember, that center console sub is more of a mid-woofer, it's only 6.75". If you put a box in back you can drop in a pair of 10" or 12" real woofers and get some real deep bass going.

So depends on your music taste, your ears, and also how you use your jeep. I have a pair of 11" subs that I would love to use, but not in my Jeep cause I need all the space I can have as I use the back every weekend to make a dump run.
 
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Correct, what head unit do you have? We need to figure out what the internal amp puts out, as the first thing that comes to my mind is what you said, the speakers are drawing to much power, it better worded the head unit's internal amp may be failing.

It could be a loose wire as well, but let's see what head unit you have first .
This one. My guess is it's the HU.......
Plus. It only happens when I get to a certain volume

FB8AF84E-E47B-469D-9E5D-83414CF81A1D.webp
 
This one. My guess is it's the HU.......
Plus. It only happens when I get to a certain volume

Can you see if there is a model number, like CDX GTC540? That model allows 17 watts per channel, per the manual. So once it hits 50 watts it will probably fail, like you are hearing, or not hearing in this case.

Time for a new head unit, maybe.

Screenshot_20180315-193316.webp
 
Can you see if there is a model number, like CDX GTC540? That model allows 17 watts per channel, per the manual. So once it hits 50 watts it will probably fail, like you are hearing, or not hearing in this case.

Time for a new head unit, maybe.
That's the exact model number. Well done. Haha!

Well. Damn. I've looked at some HU on crutchfield and they all are around 22 watts. So. A little more,.. but enough to make a difference?
 
That's the exact model number. Well done. Haha!

Well. Damn. I've looked at some HU on crutchfield and they all are around 22 watts. So. A little more,.. but enough to make a difference?

Watts is never an apples to apples comparison as other factors play a role, like operating voltage, etc. Kind of like saying a car with x HP should be as fast as a different car with the same HP.

Anyways, your Sony head unit is almost 10 years old, so now that you added new speakers it may have fried the internal amp. Double check your wiring, and if that is not the cause, I would say it's the internal amp.

Also, those polks want 100 watts and that head unit cannot do that....being so old as well may be playing factor.

Personally I have had great experiences with Kenwood and Alpine and will always recommend them for those reasons, for a basic head unit.
 
Watts is never an apples to apples comparison as other factors play a role, like operating voltage, etc. Kind of like saying a car with x HP should be as fast as a different car with the same HP.

Anyways, your Sony head unit is almost 10 years old, so now that you added new speakers it may have fried the internal amp. Double check your wiring, and if that is not the cause, I would say it's the internal amp.

Also, those polks want 100 watts and that head unit cannot do that....being so old as well may be playing factor.

Personally I have had great experiences with Kenwood and Alpine and will always recommend them for those reasons, for a basic head unit.
Sounds good. I'll do some shopping today on the ol' Crutchfield and see what I can come up with. Hopefully that sale is still going on! Appreciate the info!
 
So, I'm a little confused but want to try the speakers. The 522's fit the dash corners & the 652's will fit the sound bar with a little modification? ('03 Rubicon).
 
So, I'm a little confused but want to try the speakers. The 522's fit the dash corners & the 652's will fit the sound bar with a little modification? ('03 Rubicon).
Your '03 came with individual sound pods in the rear which came with and will only accept 5.25". '02 and older had soundbars which also came with 5.25" but will accept 6.5" without any modifications.
 
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Yes, have read above. Just verifying 525's are what I need in front. Thanks!!

Crutchfield gives you the adapter plates to convert the front 4x6's to 5.25's if you order through them. Just make sure you specify the location as the front and not the sound bar and they show up in your shopping cart automatically. Or you can call them. I checked this morning and Crutchfield still has them on sale.
 
I installed the Polk 6.5” speakers in my 2006 factory pods easily. They just sit on top instead of flush. I used body molding double stick tape in addition to the screws in plastic to hold them in. They look like they belong and sound better than the 5.25’s.

In the dash I have the 50 watt high power Sony head unit. It makes real power and has a a good built in equalizer, Bluetooth, phone integration etc. A few of my friends also run this deck in boats without outboard amps. Same challenges as the Jeep with space, power, and open noisy environment.