Infinity or Polk speakers for new Scion T1807 HU

[bbyrd]

I love my new Scion HU. I'm thinking it can even get better changing out the stock speakers in my 2003 SR5. Not interested in adding a additional external amp. Cardomain has two that look interesting, especially with pricing. I'm leaning toward Polk but could go either way. What do you think ?

Infinity Reference 9613i (front)
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFREF9613I

Infinity Reference 6012si (rear)
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFREF6012SI

Polk Audio db Series db690 (front)
http://www.cardomain.com/item/POLDB690

Polk Audio db Series db650
http://www.cardomain.com/item/POLDB650

Metra 72-8104 (two pairs)
Speaker Wiring Harness
http://www.cardomain.com/item/MET728104

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[bbyrd]

Let me ask the question another way. I have read good posts about the infinity speakers. Seems that more have posted about them. What about those that have purchased polk speakers ?

Have you been satisfied with your Polk speaker purchase ?
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[nserpa9248]

im a wicked audiophile..and i love polk..

I do have their MOMO series stuff..but their DB series are excellent for running with something like the SCION HU..

Infinity has a better sound for HIGH-RANGE music..not alot of bass from their speakers really..

I would suggest the polks, they are a much more "natural" sounding speaker..IMHO...

You will need speaker adapters too..
the 6X9's will fit, but will hit the window when its rolled down (depending on the size of the magnet, but i know for a fact that the DB690's will hit, infinity has similar sized magnets)

 

[bbyrd]

Thanks for the reply back. I ordered the Polk's yesterday. Some posts out there, crutchfield for example, recommends using the current stock adapter to mount. Just cut out the old speaker from the stock mount and use it with the polk's. I don't know, guess I will find out...
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[nserpa9248]

yes, that does work, but if you ever sell it, and intend on keeping the speakers, they are destroyed..

Depends on what you want to do, those do work though..

I think speaker plates are like $20-30 and that is worth way less than repacing the factory speaker you might want to replace..

 

[tarheeltp17]

Even though this is a bit too late since you already ordered your stuff... my best advice is to never listen to someone online about speaker choice without going and listening to them first. Personally I think both Polk and Infinity are garbage, and yes I've installed them along with Pioneer, Alpine, JL, Memphis, MTX, Kenwood, Sony, MB Quart, and so on... Polk nor Infinity would make my top 10. BUT, if you like them then go for it. Speaker choice is all preference IMO.

 

[nserpa9248]

in light of what he was looking for..i was telling him what was better IMO of the two he was looking at...

You really cant get into what would be "near-perfect" sound until you move into 3 or 4 way component systems, properly amplified, put into boxes, dynamatted (or similar sound deadner), and much, much more..

 

[tarheeltp17]

Agreed to a certain extent....

3 way setups are nice... 4 way is a joke and now they have 5 ways. You might as well be hispanic because all you are getting is more tweeter once you pass 3 way.

If you notice there is not a single high-end speaker company making or reccomending a 4way set up. Why? Its f'n ridiculous. All it is is a seling point to people who don't know any better. "whoa a 12365987 way speaker for $99! What a steal!"

Typically door speakers don't give a rats ass as to how much air space you give it, and yes different speakers sound better in different applications and are better suited for each. For example, I'm pretty partial to Memphis speakers and no, my shop doesn't sell them. Memphis has a few sets of co-axs with adjustable tweeters, allowing you to angle the tweeter to get the best sound. Why is this good? Imagine a car with the speakers in the very bottom kick panel, such as an old 3 series BMW. These fire straight out at the drivers food and muffles much of the sound. Now imagine being able to fire the tweeter towards the drivers head..... niiiiiiiice.

Dynamat stops rattles and keeps sound on the inside.... it doesn't really enhance the actual performance of your speaker, just cuts down on the rattling it causes and maximizes the sound that you should hear.

A system is only as good as its weakest link... shitty RCAs can result in engine noise. A deck with low voltage pre-outs can result in a not-so-clean/loud system. I could go on and on.... but anyway.

 

[bbyrd]

Thanks to all for your post back. I agree that the sound quality of a speaker is more of a cost / personal preference. Often cost is matched by quality in the construction.

I did go to a bestbuy (Infinity) and Circuit City (Polk) and try to listen. The Infinity sounded nice and so did the Polk. I decided Polk over the Infinity over construction appearance. But, our Best Buy and Circuit city sound like a circus when you walk in the front door. There is no sound room so you get to listen to everything at the same time you try and demo.

I can imagine there are much better speakers than what i narrowed down too.

Thanks again for youor feedback. "Real world" application experience, alteast for me, means more than a spec sheet. And our local stores are a joke when it comes to the demo experience.

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[nserpa9248]

ive worked at both...Best Buys baord demo sytem sucks, no doubt about it...it always breaks..and the sound you hear, comes out of a home theatre CD-player..

alot of CC have just upgraded to a new wiring system, that for the most part, uses the wiring and rcas, and power wire they designed for the cars, not home theatere..

I wish we did have sound rooms for the speakers...we have them for the SUB ROOM but thats about it..luckily, our store puts our component speakers, and "higher-end" coaxils in there, so customers can listen to em in a silent enviroment...

Hope you good luck with the speakers..and the install

 

[Bluedevil]

Great thread here guys as I'm in the same boat.

tarheel has given me some great advice and the Memphis speakers he has recommended get good reviews on the net.

The only thing that concerns me about taking the plunge on Memphis speakers (or CDT's which also get good reviews at a good price) is running them off of a HU's power. How much importance should be placed on a speaker's sensitivity? The Polks and Infinity's are relatively sensitive (92-93 dbs) while most higher quality speakers have a significantly lower sensitivity rating.

 

[jrs2]

I agree speaker selection is a personal choice. Depends on the kind of music you listen to, plus I'm sure people just hear sounds differently.

But even after you hear speakers in a store, it doesn't mean they're going to sound the same in your car. The acoustic environment in a car isn't exactly optimal. I've moved speakers from one car to another and have been amazed at how different they sound.

 

[bbyrd]

Thanks for the good luck. I'm ready to get on with it but the Metra 72-8104 Speaker Wiring Harness is on backorder so my shipment has delayed.

I'm almost 54 yrs old and jumping up and down to do more mods with the 4runner. You young guys are making me spend money and you know what I feel great about it !

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